At one point or another, every kid has asked for a pet. If you and your kids are ready to make the commitment to welcome a new furry, feathered (or scaly!) family member into your life, look no further than a local animal rescue! There are many animal rescues in Staten Island, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey that shelter lots of pets looking for their fur-ever home. Not only would you be giving a permanent home to an animal in need, but pets have been known to be good for our health—psychologically, emotionally and physically. Also, a recent survey by Banfield Pet Hospital showed that adopting a pet during the pandemic brought families even closer together! Browse our list of animal rescues in Staten Island and nearby, and be on your way to welcoming a new cuddly creature or cute critter into the family!
If you’re not quite ready to bring a pet into your life but still want to help animals, many of these organizations are always in need of support. Consider donating to a rescue in need! Last month’s #thebettywhitechallenge encouraged animal lovers to donate to a local animal rescue or shelter in Betty White’s name on Jan. 17, which would have been the beloved actress’ 100th birthday. White was an advocate and champion for all animals, and she’d be elated to learn how much money was raised in her honor.
Animal Rescues on Staten Island
1. Victory 4 the Voiceless Animal Rescue
For adoption inquiries, contact [email protected]
Facebook
Families looking to adopt a pet can look into this animal rescue on Staten Island. All of the lead group members here are TNR (trap, neuter, return)-certified and have over 10 years experience with animal handling and adoptions. Visit the rescue’s website to learn more about the adoption process.
2. For Blake’s Sake Rescue
732-413-5006
Facebook • Instagram
Families on Staten Island interested in getting a pet can check out For Blake’s Sake. Many animals are available for adoption here, including dogs and cats of many different breeds. Browse the rescue’s website to see who’s looking for a fur-ever home.
3. Animal Care Centers of NYC – Staten Island
3139 Veterans Rd. West
212-266-7880
Facebook • Instagram
With adoption locations in Staten Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn, Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is the only open-admissions animal shelter in the city and takes in an average of 30,000 animals a year. Families interested in getting a pet will find many cats and dogs available for adoption at this Staten Island shelter. Not ready to make a full commitment, but still want to help shelter animals in need? The ACC has a foster program where you can take in a pet for a set amount of time. The organization provides foster parents with basic necessities including food, toys, cat litter, harnesses and more. Learn more on the website. Adoptions by appointment only: Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5pm.
4. No More Pain Rescue
Facebook
This is a foster-based animal rescue serving New Jersey and New York. The organization helps dogs, cats, goats, pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits and other animals.
5. Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue
Facebook
Louie’s Legacy is a foster-based animal rescue organization with major bases of operation in both Ohio and New York.
6. Mama Chris Rescue
347-983-2240
Facebook
This rescue helps to reduce the free-roaming cat population on Staten Island through the trap, neuter, return (TNR) of feral cats. The organization does this by pulling friendly cats and kittens from the areas where it does TNR, and then the animals are entered into the organization’s adoption program. There they are vetted, fixed and placed for adoption.
7. Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue
800-477-9168
Facebook
The organization offers affordable spay/neuter and feline veterinary testing/vaccination services, trap-neuter-release, pet re-homing options (keeping family pets out of the city shelter), cat and kitten adoptions.
8. Happy Homes Animal Rescue
914-393-8292
Facebook • Instagram
Happy Homes is a cat rescue located in Staten Island and Old Bridge, NJ. The organization has a habitat at Petco located at 165 Bricktown Way on Staten Island where you can see some adoptable animals.
9. P.L.U.T.O (Pet Lovers United Together as One) Rescue
718-227-0553
Facebook
Pluto Rescue assists animals in overcrowded shelters with getting into the rescue and provides financially for veterinary care.
10. Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare, Inc. (SICAW)
718-948-5623
Facebook • Instagram
Founded in 1972, this Staten Island animal rescue is 100% volunteer driven and funded by public donations. Learn more about the organization’s adoption process and view adoptable animals on its website and Petfinder.
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Animal Rescues in Brooklyn
1. AMA Animal Rescue
347-448-5944
Facebook
This no-kill shelter’s mission is to safeguard and rehabilitate animals who have experienced the most severe cases of abuse, neglect and abandonment. Read the profiles on the website of many adorable animals available for adoption. You’ll see their photos and get a brief summary of their past, and even some info on their personalities!
2. Animal Care Centers of NYC – Brooklyn
2336 Linden Blvd.
212-266-7880
Facebook • Instagram
With adoption locations in Staten Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn, Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is the only open-admissions animal shelter in the city and takes in an average of 30,000 animals a year. There are many animals here ready for their fur-ever home. Not ready to make a full commitment, but still want to help shelter animals in need? The ACC has a foster program where you can take in a pet for a set amount of time. The organization provides foster parents with basic necessities including food, toys, cat litter, harnesses and more. Learn more on the website. Adoptions by appointment only.
3. Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E 3 St.
718-436-5163
Facebook • Instagram
This no-kill animal shelter in Brooklyn specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of dogs, cats, reptiles, birds and small mammals. The organization focuses on educating families and pet owners about the needs and responsibilities of pet ownership, as well as behavior and training issues and health and wellbeing concerns. The website has great information for both first-time and seasoned pet owners, as well as information about currently adoptable pets.
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4. Hearts and Bones Rescue
For adoption inquires, contact [email protected]
Facebook • Instagram
This foster-based dog rescue provides dogs with loving temporary homes while they wait to be permanently adopted into a fur-ever family.
Animal Rescues in Queens
1. Bobbi and the Strays
80-36 Cooper Ave.
718-326-6070
Facebook • Instagram
This animal rescue in Queens is a no-kill organization. It rescues and provides essential care for orphaned, stray, abused and special-needs cats and dogs. The rescue also provides educational programs to prevent animal abuse and neglect and raises awareness of the importance of spaying/neutering. Head to the website to see who’s available for adoption!
2. Loving Touch
Flushing
Loving Touch is an all-volunteer rescue group in Queens. Learn more about the organization’s adoption process on the website.
3. All About Rabbits
For adoption inquiries, contact [email protected].
Facebook • Instagram
Hop to this rabbit rescue in Queens to adopt a bunny. Just like dogs and cats, rabbits are often abandoned and wind up in overburdened shelters and rescues around the city. All About Rabbits advocates for rabbits by educating potential and current owners on responsible care and preventing rabbit surrenders. The website has great information about rabbits, as well as profiles of long-eared friends waiting to be adopted.
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4. Second Chance Rescue NYC
Whitestone
For adoption inquiries, contact [email protected].
Facebook • Instagram
Founded in 2009, Second Chance Rescue NYC works to reduce animal overpopulation in shelters and rescue and rehabilitate critically injured and neglected animals. Head to the website to see some adorable cats and dogs who are just waiting for you to take them home!
Animal Rescues in Manhattan
1. Animal Care Centers of NYC – Manhattan
326 E. 110 St.
212-266-7880
Facebook • Instagram
With adoption locations in Staten Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn, Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is the only open-admissions animal shelter in the city and takes in an average of 30,000 animals a year. Families interested in getting a pet will find many dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals available for adoption here. Not ready to make a full commitment, but still want to help shelter animals in need? The ACC has a foster program where you can take in a pet for a set amount of time. The organization provides foster parents with basic necessities including food, toys, cat litter, harnesses and more. Learn more on the website. Adoptions by appointment only.
2. ASPCA Adoption Center
424 E. 92 St.
212-876-7700 x4120
Facebook • Instagram
Those who are interested in adopting a pet can visit ASPCA.org/Adopt to view cats and dogs available through the ASPCA Adoption Center and submit an application.
3. Bunnies and Beyond
For adoptions inquiries, contact [email protected].
Facebook • Instagram
Bunnies and Beyond is an adoption and educational non-profit dedicated to the rescue, proper care and the adoption of rabbits and guinea pigs kept as pets. Meet current adoptable rabbits and guinea pigs on the website.
4. The Humane Society of New York
306 E. 59 St.
212-752-4842
Facebook • Instagram
The Humane Society of New York has been helping and caring for animals in need for over 100 years. The organization’s hospital and Vladimir Horowitz and Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center help more than 38,000 dogs and cats annually.
5. Bideawee
410 E. 38 St.
866-262-8133
Facebook • Instagram
Find your family’s new cat, dog, kitten or puppy at this Manhattan-based animal rescue located in Murray Hill. Adoptions are currently by appointment only.
6. 2000 Spays and Neuters
917-371-2751
Visit the organization’s adoptable animals on Petfinder. There are many dogs and cats waiting for a loving family to take them in.
7. Animal Haven
200 Centre St.
212-274-8511
Facebook
This Manhattan animal rescue works to find homes for abandoned cats and dogs in NYC and the surrounding areas. View adoptable pets on the website.
8. Muddy Paws Rescue NYC
Facebook • Instagram
Muddy Paws partners with animal shelters to pull and place dogs into loving forever homes.
Animal Rescues in New Jersey
1. Somerset Regional Animal Shelter
100 Commons Way, Bridgewater
908-725-0308
Facebook • Instagram
This animal shelter in New Jersey takes in nearly 1,000 animals each year, including cats, dogs, rabbits and more. In addition to finding homes for these animals, the shelter provides behavior modification, animal control, affordable spay and neuter, and pet retention programs. See all the amazing animals available for adoption and learn about the adoption process on the website.
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2. Humane Society of Bergen County
221-223 Stuyvesant Ave., Lyndhurst
201-896-9300
Facebook
This animal rescue in New Jersey provides care and good homes to animals that come to them from kill shelters or homes where they are no longer wanted, as well as those found lost and abandoned. Adoptions are available by appointment only. Visit the website for more information.
3. New Beginnings Animal Rescue
777 Helmetta Blvd., East Brunswick
732-238-1348
Facebook • Instagram
New Beginnings Animal Rescue’s mission is to provide a safe haven for homeless animals through meeting their medical, physical and emotional needs. The organization matches these animals with qualified adopters, providing daily essentials for residents to alleviate the financial burdens of pet ownership. See adoptable animals on the website or at Petfinder.
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