Tips on Finding Animals New Homes

If you have a cat you can’t keep, DON’T throw it onto the street – it won’t survive. Take the time to find a new home for it. It takes some patience, but it works, and it’s worth it! The same is true if you find a friendly cat on the street and would like to help.

Unfortunately, most rescue organizations in the city are overextended and can’t take in new cats. Also, many cat shelters will kill cats they can’t place. So the best thing to do is first try to find it a home yourself, using available resources.

If you are thinking of giving up your pet because you are having financial problems or may be facing eviction because you have pets, contact Pets for Life. They can help with landlord/tenant issues, veterinary care, and other hardships facing pet owners.

Excellent advice for anyone trying to get an animal adopted can be found in this wonderful brochure created by Best Friends Animal Society:

How to Find Homes for Homeless Pets

There are some no-kill shelters in New York, though they will often have long waiting lists:

Bide-A-Wee
410 East 38th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel. (866) 262-8133; (212) 532-4455

North Shore Animal League
25 Davis Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050
Tel. (516) 883-7575

ASPCA
Free spay/neuter and vaccination for low income pet owners
Tel. (877) SPAY-NYC

You can also take an animal to the Center for Animal Care and Control. But be aware that they are NOT no-kill; they will make an effort to find animals a home, but older or sick animals are likely to be euthanized.

Animal Care and Control
336 Linden Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11208
Tel. (212) 788-4000