Where the Blind Horse Sings

Where the Blind Horse Sings chronicles Kathy Stevens' journey from schoolteacher to founder of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a rescue center for abused and neglected farm animals in New York state. The book follows her work transforming an old farm into a sanctuary while learning to care for hundreds of animals in need. The narrative presents stories of individual animals at the sanctuary, from horses and cows to chickens and pigs. Stevens documents the daily operations of running a large-scale rescue facility, including emergency rescues, veterinary challenges, and the unique personalities of the sanctuary's residents. Each chapter captures the profound bonds that form between humans and farm animals, while addressing broader issues of factory farming and animal welfare. The book demonstrates how rescued animals can overcome trauma and form new relationships when given proper care and respect. This memoir combines personal narrative with advocacy, revealing how intimate connections with farm animals can reshape perspectives about consciousness, empathy, and the relationship between humans and the creatures in their care.

Most readers describe this as a collection of heartwarming animal rescue stories from Catskill Animal Sanctuary. The book resonates with animal lovers and those interested in farm animal welfare. Readers appreciated: - Personal, intimate writing style - Individual animal personalities brought to life - Mix of happy and sad stories - Educational aspects about farm animals - Author's passion for the sanctuary's mission Common criticisms: - Some stories feel repetitive - Writing can be overly sentimental - Limited depth on sanctuary operations - Abrupt transitions between chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (439 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (108 ratings) Several readers noted the book changed their perspective on farm animals. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "Each animal becomes an individual with their own personality and story." A few readers mentioned the book inspired them to visit the sanctuary or adopt a vegan lifestyle.

My Gentle Barn by Ellie Laks A founder's account of building an animal sanctuary and healing abused farm animals parallels the emotional journey found in Stevens' work.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver The narrative chronicles a family's year of living sustainably and developing deeper connections with farm animals and the land.

The Lucky Ones by Jenny Brown The establishment of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary unfolds through rescue stories and insights into farm animals' personalities and relationships.

Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien The biologist author's 19-year bond with an injured barn owl demonstrates the depth of human-animal connections in sanctuary settings.

Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food by Gene Baur The journey of creating one of America's first farm animal sanctuaries reveals the individual stories of rescued animals and their impact on human perspectives.

🌟 The Catskill Animal Sanctuary has rescued over 4,000 farm animals since its founding in 2001 by Kathy Stevens. 🌟 The book's title refers to Buddy, a blind horse who became one of the sanctuary's most beloved residents and inspired visitors with his resilience. 🌟 Before founding the sanctuary, Kathy Stevens was a high school English teacher for 11 years and the director of a charter school in Boston. 🌟 The sanctuary offers a unique "Compassionate Cuisine" vegan cooking program, which grew from ideas and experiences shared in the book. 🌟 Located in Saugerties, New York, the sanctuary spans over 150 acres and offers public tours where visitors can meet many of the animals featured in the book.