Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, an animal rights advocacy group in High Falls that provides shelter and care for rescued animals, is putting out a call for some much-needed help. According to a recent announcement, the sanctuary is looking to raise $100,000 from June 20 to June 27 in a matching gift campaign to close its fiscal year.

The Sanctuary is currently taking care of 400 rescued animals, some of which have special needs.

Since 2004, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary has helped rescue and care for thousands of cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep, and other animals saved from abusive and unsanitary living conditions. In addition to caring for and housing these animals, the Sanctuary also works to raise awareness about the standards within the animal agriculture industry, and promote what it calls a “cruelty-free and compassionate lifestyle.” To that end, the Sanctuary hosts thousands of visitors from Ulster County and beyond every year for public education tours.

However, in a recent announcement, the Sanctuary shared its post-pandemic struggles that have made it harder continue its mission. “Due to the pandemic and economy, donations to Woodstock Sanctuary have dropped 20% from 2019 to 2023, making it difficult for the small nonprofit just when the need for homes for abandoned animals is higher than ever,” the announcement explained.

To rally support, the Sanctuary has launched an ambitious fundraising campaign called “Woodstock Giving Week,” to raise $100,000 in seven days. Every dollar donated during that time will be matched by supporters of the Sanctuary’s mission, doubling the impact of each gift made.

"The animals at Woodstock Sanctuary have endured unimaginable hardships, but with the support of our local community, we provide them with a life filled with love, compassion, and freedom," said Sanctuary Executive Director Rachel McCrystal. “We only are able to do this work because of community support. And we need community support to meet our matching goal this week.”

Donations can be made online at WoodstockSanctuary.org or sent via mail to 2 Rescue Road, High Falls, NY 12440.