A safe haven for abandoned and abused animals
  A free-range, no-kill cat sanctuary 
       A place to call home until  that home comes true!

Mid  Hudson Animal Aid (MHAA) is a nonprofit, independent, no-kill animal welfare organization. Our shelter exists  entirely on private donations. Our purpose is to protect and provide for abandoned and abused animals in the Hudson  Valley and place them in good adoptive homes. We have many cats and kittens available for adoption. We are located in Beacon, NY and serve the entire Hudson Valley of New York. For years, we have been serving Dutchess,  Putnam, Westchester, Orange, Ulster and Rockland Counties, but we inviteanyone from anywhere to come and get involved.

MHAA was incorporated as a 501-c-3 charity in 1989 and 2009 marks our 30 year anniversary!  Essie Dabrusin and Ruth Valenti (Essie passed away in 1992 but Ruth is still living in the Newburgh area) were two retired ladies who got their start feeding strays dogs on the streets of the City of Newburgh in the 1970’s.  They began taking in and fostering the animals left behind by tenants moving out of the City’s apartments.  When they realized that a shelter would be needed to care for all of the animals in need, they conducted fundraising for three years, including selling individual bricks which is ironic since the shelter was not built with bricks.

 The City of Beacon donated the land of an old sewage treatment or pump station to the Animal Rescue Foundation and MHAA was invited to construct their sanctuary over the steel structure of an abandoned greenhouse.  In 1987-1988, the shelter was built on a shoestring budget and opened its doors.  At that time, the sanctuary was run entirely on volunteer labor and the population quickly soared upwards of 400 cats.  At various times, we would house a dog or two at the sanctuary.  In the early 1990’s, the Board of Directors established stricter guidelines for running the sanctuary and the first Shelter Manager was hired and the population came to within reasonable numbers.

Mission 

Mid Hudson Animal Aid is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping abandoned and abused animals throughout the Hudson Valley of New York State.  The organization was established as a 501(c)3 charity in 1978 and the cat sanctuary was built in 1990.

Mid Hudson Animal Aid runs the Essie Dabrusin Cat Sanctuary, a free range, no-kill home to hundreds of cats and kittens pending adoption. At the sanctuary, we "socialize" cats, provide preventative medical treatment, rehabilitate frightened and abused animals, and provide a safe and stimulating environment during their stay at the sanctuary. Our goal is to place these animals in good quality homes through our Adoption Program.

Mid Hudson Animal Aid was established to provide an organization and facility that aids in animal rescue and provides medical care, nourishment, and a safe haven for abandoned, abused, and disabled animals. We also assist with area-wide low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs.

MHAA is committed to educating and informing the public about responsible pet ownership, placing animals in good adoptive homes, and encouraging spaying and neutering in our community to curb animal overpopulation and suffering. 

MHAA has successfully placed thousands of animals in adoptive homes. Many of our special needs animals, with disabilities or chronic conditions, live happily in homes that are adapted to their needs. Many feral or semi-feral animals from various colonies have been socialized at our sanctuary and placed in good homes.

We consider NO animal unadoptable.