The Hudson Valley SPCA (HVSPCA) and Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary (SES) are proud to announce that they are joining forces in their mission to provide compassionate care, advocacy, community, and stewardship to animals in the Hudson Valley and beyond.

"Partnering with Squirrelwood allows the Hudson Valley SPCA to fulfill our mission of assisting all animals in need, regardless of their size," said HVSPCA board president, Joan Kay. "Up to now, we have been limited in our ability to help horses, cows, pigs, and other animals due to space and property constraints. To say that we are excited about this venture is an understatement!"

As part of this move, the Hudson Valley SPCA will be purchasing property at Squirrelwood and beginning the build-out of facilities dedicated to small animals starting in the winter of 2025. This project will create a purpose-built home for the HVSPCA's dogs and cats, surrounded by the farmland that offers lifelong sanctuary to SES's horses, donkeys, cows, pigs, and more.

To support this work, a fundraising campaign launches immediately. Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary has generously offered its support during this process, with its Executive Director taking on management of the Hudson Valley SPCA’s social media and fundraising initiatives. Together, we are committed to ensuring the smoothest possible transition for the animals and the community that loves them.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the public for standing with us through this incredible project. The Hudson Valley SPCA has always belonged to its community, and it is with your continued support that we will create a safe, permanent, and thriving home for the animals who depend on us.

Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary is the ideal partner for a humane organization like the HVSPCA. With its strong history of animal care, public trust, and expansive grounds, it provides the foundation upon which the HVSPCA can grow and expand its lifesaving mission.

To succeed, we need your help. We are calling on volunteers with professional construction expertise to assist with the critical build-out of facilities. In addition, a GoFundMe campaign will be launched to present the major capital improvements required to welcome our small animal population. Every contribution—whether time, skills, or donations—brings us closer to making this vision a reality.

Together, we can ensure that the Hudson Valley SPCA continues to stand as a beacon of compassion and justice for animals, now and for generations to come.

Thank you for your unwavering support.

Dear Friends of Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary,

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you today. After many years of serving as a refuge for animals in need, Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary will be closing its doors. This is not a decision made lightly, nor one we ever imagined we would face.

As many of you know, my beloved partner in life and in this mission, Diane, passed very suddenly at the end of January. Diane was a tireless rescuer of animals, an advocate for justice, and the heart of this sanctuary. Her passing has been a devastating loss—not only to me personally but to the entire Squirrelwood family. In the months since, my own health has declined significantly under the weight of grief and the unrelenting demands of running the sanctuary. After much reflection and many difficult conversations, it has become clear that continuing in this way is no longer possible.

What has always been possible—and what we are committed to even now—is ensuring that every animal in our care is safe, loved, and placed in an appropriate new home. This means working with other sanctuaries and rescues to transition animals, while still providing daily feed, veterinary care, and the necessary health documents for each animal prior to transfer.

This is a heartbreaking process. The decision to close our gates goes against everything in our hearts. But the truth is that the continued stress is directly contributing to my failing health, and if I am unable to care for myself, I cannot care for the animals as they deserve.

Over the years, with your unwavering support, Squirrelwood has been able to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome hundreds of animals who might otherwise have been forgotten. Every life saved, every creature healed, and every moment of peace for these animals was possible because of you—our supporters, volunteers, and friends. Together, we built not just a sanctuary, but a community of love, compassion, and hope.

Even as we walk through this painful transition, your support remains vital. The animals still need food, medicine, and veterinary exams in order to prepare for their safe passage to other sanctuaries. Your generosity will ensure that they leave Squirrelwood with the same dignity, care, and love with which they were welcomed.

On behalf of myself, and every staff member and volunteer who has poured their heart into Squirrelwood, I want to thank you. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this mission, and for helping us bring light into the lives of so many animals. Though this chapter is closing, the love and legacy of Squirrelwood will live on—in the lives of the animals you helped us save, and in the community we built together.

With gratitude and love,
Beth Hyman
Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary