Ep. 317: Kathy Stevens - Founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary on Retirement and a Legacy of Love

This week on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, Rip sits down with the legendary Kathy Stevens , founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary , as she prepares to step away after more than 20 years of rescuing animals and inspiring people to live with compassion. Since 2001, Kathy has been leading with love—creating a safe haven for thousands of animals and cultivating a culture that welcomes everyone, no matter where they are on their journey. In this heartfelt conversation, she reflects on her legacy, the lessons learned from her four-legged teachers, and the future of Catskill Animal Sanctuary. You’ll hear: Kathy’s journey from teacher to animal sanctuary founder Lessons in empathy from Catskill’s rescued residents Why “leading with love” beats judgment every time The challenges of passing the torch to a new leader Her vision for the future of sanctuaries in a changing world Kathy’s warmth, wisdom, and dedication shine through in every story—including one unforgettable tale about Rambo the ram, who forever changed her outlook on life. Learn more or support the Catskill mission at casanctuary.org Episode Webpage Watch the Episode on YouTube