MONTGOMERY, NY — The Hudson Valley Animal Shelter Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (CFOS), recently distributed grants totaling $13,800 to four organizations dedicated to rescuing, sheltering, and defending animals.

$3,000 given to Catskill Animal Rescue for C.A.R.E. Adoptions project
C.A.R.E. was established to address the critical lack of resources in Sullivan County for unwanted, neglected, and abused animals. Funds will be used to purchase equipment and supplies needed to assist in training the abused and neglected cats and dogs that have aggression issues, specific triggers, basic fears, and house-training deficiencies as well as to offset costs of spaying and neutering before adoption.

Other Hudson Valley Animal Shelter grant recipients:

$5,000 to Iron Horse Sanctuary for Raise the Roof project
Iron Horse, located on 160 acres in Goshen provides a haven for horses, mules, cats, pigs, goats, and any other creatures in distress. The sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates, and trains farm animals and places them into homes that can give them a loving second chance. The Raise the Roof project will add two animal shelters/run-in sheds on two different farm pastures to provide protection from the wind, snow, rain, and sun.

$3,000 to Bleu’s K9 Rescue Inc. for Ongoing Veterinary Care project
A volunteer-based dog rescue, Bleu’s K9 Rescue saves Hudson Valley dogs of all sizes by utilizing foster homes before placing them in forever homes. All dogs rescued get the appropriate veterinary care needed: spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, and heartworm and Lyme disease tests. Bleu’s biggest bills come from veterinary care. This grant will be used for the full vetting of each dog that comes into the rescue, including any surgeries needed.

$2,800 to Animal Manor Inc. for Vetting project
Animal Manor creates a comfortable, sociable environment and promotes a naturally integrated atmosphere for its animals. Situated on 76 acres in Huguenot, the organization promotes adoption and provides a cage-free forever home for animals who are not adopted. This grant will be used to vaccinate, spay, neuter, and provide vet care to any of the animals at the sanctuary in need so they can become adoptable to the public.

The Hudson Valley Animal Shelter Fund was established in 2015 through a generous bequest from Jean Rowe and will provide financial assistance to nonprofit animal welfare agencies throughout the Hudson Valley in perpetuity. Since its inception, nearly $106,000 has been awarded to support a variety of capital and project expenses for several nonprofit animal organizations in the region.

“By establishing The Hudson Valley Animal Shelter Fund, Jean Rowe ensured that her charitable wishes would live on to create a legacy of giving,” said Elizabeth Rowley, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan. “We are honored to distribute these grants and carry on Jean’s commitment to local nonprofits that improve the lives of animals each and every day.”

Past grant recipients include Will Spay, Inc., Humane Society of Middletown, Inc., The Friends of Green Chimneys, Goshen Humane Society, Inc., Humane Society of Walden, Inc., Pets Alive, Inc., The Animal Rights Alliance, Inc., The Ulster County SPCA, Hudson Valley SPCA, Rocky’s Refuge, Warwick Valley Humane Society, Clopon’s Safe Haven Rescue, Grateful Doggies Rescue Family – “Grateful Rescue Inc.”, Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, Putnam AdvoCATS, Inc., Sullivan County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Newburgh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Iron Horse Sanctuary, Inc, Happy Kitty Inc., Dutchess County SPCA, Dumped & Stray Animal Rescue, and Rachel’s Gate.

About the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (CFOS):  Based in Montgomery, the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan connects people who care with causes that matter. Established in 1999, the Foundation helps philanthropic individuals, businesses and organizations establish charitable funds that will award grants and scholarships, for good, forever. The Foundation has significantly increased the region’s charitable capital and has empowered donors to make a profound difference in the quality of life in our region. Since its inception, CFOS, with its donors and fund representatives, has awarded more than $25 million in grants and scholarships. The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan currently administers 400 active charitable funds that represent $45 million in assets to support animal welfare, arts and culture, education, the environment, health and human services, recreation, and youth. To learn more, visit cfosny.org.