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Bidding War....Catskill Game Farm

October 13, 2006, 12:0AM MT

By Michelle Buckalew

Group rallies support to purchase exotic animals at Oct. 18 auction

Group rallies support to purchase exotic animals at Oct. 18 auction

By Kelli Ohrtman, Best Friends Network

Update from October 19
click here

Despite protests from animal advocates, 1000 animals will be sold at auction to the highest bidder on Wednesday, October 18. Catskill Game farm in upstate New York closed its gates permanently on October 9th after operating for 73 years.

Now they’re looking to clear out their extensive inventory of amusement park rides, heavy equipment, a carousel, and their massive menagerie of animals.

The Farm’s closing announcement sparked a flurry of protest from the animal welfare community, and rightly so. A commercial auction is a very scary place for any animal to end up.

The highest bidders may have appropriate permits to bid on alligators, monkeys, birds, miniature horses, pigs, cockatiels, cassowaries, elk or deer, but there is no guarantee that those animals will be safe when they leave the property. The biggest fear is that the hoofed animals could end up at “canned hunt” facilities, where hunters are guaranteed a kill.

What if animals could be bid on by sanctuaries that will care for them for the rest of their lives? What if they could go to places where their natural habitat is recreated, instead of being placed on display in a cage? A hastily-formed group aims to do just that, and they need a lot of support in only a few days to make it happen.

Coalition for Catskill Game Farm Animals formed an online community at: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CoalitionforCGFAnimals/. Here readers can keep up with the most recent developments for the game farm animals, view the database of all animals to be auctioned, and make donations.

Their goal is to raise money outbid commercial buyers for as many of the animals as possible. The coalition started a PayPal account for donations. This is to accept money needed to bid on the animals. You will see the MAKE A DONATiON button when you visit the website and scroll down the page.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CoalitionforCGFAnimals/

After attempting to turn the game farm into a state park, offering to buy animals directly, and pleading with owners to donate animals to sanctuaries, outbidding is the last possibility for the coalition.

The Catskill Game Farm
400 Game Farm Rd.
Catskill, NY 12414

See Related Story
http://network.bestfriends.org/newyork/news/8267.html

Comments

Posted October 13, 2006, 5:1 by marmar328

Katy Schulz is a disgrace. After all these years of the animals giving she has no use for them, and doesn't care where they go. Too bad this had to happen at the end. If more people had known of her unconcern for these animals, maybe something could have been done sooner. We can pray and donate money to the group trying to save these animals.

Posted October 13, 2006, 8:17 by cheshirecat

Thank God! I first saw the news aricle on Oct. 8 and have been sending the list of animals going up for auction to ever group that I could think of. I sent an email to Kathie Schultz and was promised a reply, but as yet have not received one. I asked simply wheher she would be willing to allow the animals to be relocated to suitable new home. I have already asked one local shelter caregiver what a typical bid would amount to, but have received a reply, she indicated that she was willing to take in many of the animals, but for the costs of bidding. I will go to the site that you have listed and donate. Thank you for permiting the animals to have a chance and for giving me an opportunity to not feel so helpless. Mary

Posted October 14, 2006, 2:17 by DavidP

I'm pleased to let you know that Best Friends is working on bringing some of these animals here to the Sanctuary. We are looking at several of the farm animals and a number of the birds.

Our efforts will be coordinated through the Coalition for Catskill Game Farm Animals. Please provide as much support to them as you can.

We will post an update once we have determined which animals we can take here at Best Friends.

David Phelps
Director, Community Programs & Services
Best Friends Animal Society

Posted October 15, 2006, 6:26 by kathy_g

I know if this war can be won-it will be won right here-together.

Posted October 13, 2006, 1:13 by cattees

This is such a disgrace. Owner, Kathy Schulz, should be ashamed of herself. Her father , the founder of the Game Farm, must be spinning in his grave. Greedy witch!

Posted October 13, 2006, 5:3 by bcozzens

Thanks to Best Friends for posting this article! We're working around the clock to save as many animals as is humanly possible. We're still desperately in need of safe haven for deer, elk, bison and other hoofstock. Visit our listgroup for more information.
Thanks!
Coalition for Catskill Game Farm Animals

Posted October 14, 2006, 2:56 by cattees

Bravo BF!

Posted October 17, 2006, 6:29 by sharonj

I am so sorry! we traveled 3 hours and spent $70 on tickets to visit CGF on Oct 8 and now I wish we had donated the money for care of the animals. Did not know at the time what was going on and could only think of visiting the beloved place my parents used to take me as a child in the 60's. Not a happy visit this time. More like heart-wrenching. When we got there I asked the ticket person 2 times what was going to happen to the animals and she changed the subject. Then someone inside told us about some of the animals going to auction and thought, how cruel to live their lives as pets and then hauled off to auction. Thank you BF for stepping up to help out, you guys are a role model for the world!
Sharon Jordan

Posted October 18, 2006, 1:43 by sugrfrejaz

The auction is TODAY! Please send your good vibes to all the rescuers there, that they may be able to win these animals!!!

Posted October 18, 2006, 2:13 by cattees

Paws and hooves crossed!

Posted October 20, 2006, 9:50AM by cattees

An article from my local paper.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061020/NEWS01/610200343/1006

Posted October 26, 2006, 9:21 by cheshirecat

Follow the link to Best Friends update on the auction. Read about the happy endings for some of the animals "won" with donations from those who cared about their personal fates. And read about the crisis still facing some of the animals sold at the auction. The Coalition is still raising funds for the animals, for transportation, lifetime sanctuary, and veterinary expenses. The bigger picture "the fate of all animals held in similar situations". The looming threat of "canned hunts" for those who have and will be bought by unscrupulous animal traders and breeders if we don’t all get involved. This horror for the animals and those who love them can end with your help! Donate if you can. Spread the word about the plight of animals held in unsuitable captivity.
Link to Best Friends update on CGF animals:
http://network.bestfriends.org/newyork/news/8710.html
Link to Coalition for Catskill Game Farm Animals:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CoalitionforCGFAnimals/