More than $150,000 raised for animal sanctuaries during Goat Games

To make it through the pandemic, the owner of a New York animal sanctuary had to get creative — and that‘s how the Goat Games came to be. “Covid did a number on us, as it did on nonprofits around the world,” Kathy Stevens, founder and executive director of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, said in a statement. “Funding plummeted overnight, while the urgent needs of hundreds of animals remained the same. So in 2020, we created the Goat Games as a way for animal lovers and athletes to support the work of farm sanctuaries and the thousands of animals who call these special places home.” This year’s Goat Games took place virtually August 12 through 15, with 222 “athletes” participating, representing 14 farmed animal sanctuaries. The athletes sign up for different activities, from running to reading, and take pledges from supporters. In addition to being a fundraiser, the event gave sanctuaries the opportunity to show off what they do every day, and how the money they earn goes to help — donations are used to buy hay and feed, purchase land, build new shelters, and provide veterinary care. The final totals are in, and for 2022, the athletes raised $153,789 from 1,791 supporters. [Hudson Valley 1]