An informal survey conducted by the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in upstate New York has found that rising costs due to inflation, in tandem with a drop in donations, are putting pressure on animal sanctuaries across the United States.

New York

In an informal survey spearheaded by the Catskill Animal Sanctuary located in upstate New York, there's an emerging concern among U.S. animal sanctaries due to the financial strain inflicted by rising costs attributed to inflation. This situation is further exacerbated by a notable decline in donations, placing additional stress on these sanctuaries' operations. The combined effects of increased expenses and reduced donation income are causing worry regarding the ability of these sanctuaries to continue providing care and shelter for animals.



U.S. animal sanctuaries worry as inflation bites

A recent survey found that inflation and fewer donations are squeezing animal sanctuaries across the United States. All but one of the 45 sanctuaries surveyed by the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in upstate New York reported high prices for essentials like hay and grain since the pandemic, with more than a third seeing costs double. The Catskill Sanctuary itself is home to 200 rescued animals, ranging from chickens and turkeys to 18 cows and a 35-year-old blind horse. Kathy Stevens is its founder. Costs are through the roof. Costs of our most essential supplies like hay and grain and medical care are through the roof, not going up incrementally, but going up by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 percent. At the same time, donations are down. Donations at every level from the modest $10 donation to the huge philanthropic gifts that come in every year. Stevens says many of the animals at her sanctuary came to them from the farming industry, escaping slaughterhouse-bound trucks or farms after the owner passes away, while others are discovered roaming the streets or rescued from other sanctuaries. If sanctuaries continue shutting down the way they have started to shut down, a lot of these animals will starve to death. We're seeing it happen already. In another just as grim scenario, they would probably be sent to slaughter. If officials, for example, have to intervene, once again, there's nowhere for 2,000-pound cows to go. So they presumably would be sent to slaughter. Although the yearly rise in U.S. consumer prices has dropped from a peak of 9.1 percent in June 2022, that rate of disinflation has nearly halted in recent months. Over the past year until March, the consumer price index rose by 3.5 percent. Stevens says to cope with rising costs and drop in donations in 2023, Catskill has significantly reduced its budget. Their survey also found one in three sanctuaries said they were concerned as to whether they can survive.

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