This article was originally inspired in 2019 at the The Great Cow Harbor Day Weekend, where we spent the day talking to artists and others marketing their wares in Northport. What struck us then was the number of rescue groups who had booths, the individual strengths these groups brought, and the passion of those involved. We then got together with our friend, Alicia Berwind, who’s been deeply involved in animal rescue and who offered a number of other great groups. Here are some of those organization and more. Help us keep updating the list!
Almost Home rescues and re-homes unwanted and abandoned animals. They are also committed to assisting families to prevent unnecessary surrenders through their Training Wheels® program.
Said Volunteer and Board Member Deborah DuRussel, “Almost Home, like other rescue organizations, helps animals in need through rescue and adoption, but most notably, the work we do in the community truly sets us apart from the others. Our outreach program brings hope to many underprivileged, neglected or abused animals, as well as relief to good families who struggle each day with providing proper care for their pet.”
The League for Animal Protection of Huntington is dedicated to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of stray, abandoned and abused animals in the Town of Huntington. In 1982, they built the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter, which is a refuge without cages for kittens and cats. Volunteers also assist the Town dog placement program, providing much needed services including volunteers’ love and attention.
Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center is Suffolk County’s oldest Humane Society; a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter nestled on six wooded acres in Huntington. Founded by Anna Hunninghouse in 1927, they have been dedicated to saving abandoned dogs and cats, and placing them into loving forever homes ever since. They take pride in being a model for shelters nationwide. Age, physical condition, and socialization issues are never criteria for rescuing a dog or cat whose life is in jeopardy. They also run the Little Shelter Sanctuary for animals who cannot be adopted, the Sheltervale Pet Cemetery and the Town of Huntington Cat Shelter
The Northport Cat Rescue Association is a 100% volunteer operated organization that has found homes for over 70 cats this year, and is currently housing another 50, some of whom are too young to adopt and others of whom require some socialization. You can check out their Facebook page to learn more, including about an upcoming fundraiser! UPDATE: In April of 2022 we learned that they are deep need of foster families and other volunteers!
We then got to talking with our friend Alicia Berwind, who is deeply passionate about animal rescue. She added these folks to the list:
Last Hope Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation, started in 1981, helps Long Island cats and dogs. They take in kittens and, when they can, stray cats so they may be adopted to only the best homes. Last Hope’s most impressive aspect may be their dedication to helping feral cats, providing education and an extraordinary TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program that offers low cost vouchers and weekend clinics. Each year, they spay and neuter over 1,000 feral cats. Their main location in Wantagh offers cat and dog adoption, as do satellite kitten and cat adoption centers in Wantagh, Huntington Station, Syosset and Bellmore. Volunteers and donations are always needed! Visit lasthopeanimalrescue.org to learn more and check out their precious dogs, cats, and kittens. Maybe you will find your newest family member. Adopt don’t Shop!
Tender Loving Cats in North Babylon rescues cats and kittens all over Long Island. They will work with independent trappers and always ensure when taking outside kittens that the mom cat is fixed. President Rebecca Caro will only adopt out cats that have been vetted and fixed ensuring a purrrfect match! They place over 300 cats a year and just added a new location in West Babylon. Volunteers are desperately needed in 2 hour shifts!!! Please visit tenderlovingcats.org to offer a few hours, donate, or find a new snuggle buddy!
LION – Long Island Orchestrating for Nature rescues nontraditional pets. In addition, they help wildlife across Long Island and keep pets like chickens and tame ducks from freezing to death because they were abandoned. Many who get chicks for Easter or hatch domesticated ducks in schools don’t realize they will not survive without proper nutrition and shelter. They offer education on this and many other humane programs in addition to helping over 100 animals per year. President John Di Leonardo is an anthrozoologist who leads many successful animal rights campaigns. Visit humanelongisland.org for more on that.
Nobody Starves Long Island, located in Middle Island, is dedicated to the idea that if we work together, it is possible to save them all. With a motto, “We can feed them all,” their food pantry serves more animals than all of Long Island’s major animal shelters combined, helping those who cannot afford to feed their pets. In special circumstances they have also offered additional assistance. They take donations for animal care as well as food donations.
Another organization is Volunteers for Wildlife, a non-profit Wildlife Hospital and Education Center located in Locust Valley. According to their website, “Volunteers for Wildlife admits over 2,000 injured & orphaned wild animals to our Hospital every year. In addition to rehabilitation, we offer exciting, interactive educational programs to children & adults to foster knowledge and appreciation for Long Island’s wildlife.” I know that when I went to them with a baby cardinal in July of 2020, they were very helpful. They’re open 7 days a week for injured and orphaned animal assistance all across Long Island. Volunteers and donations are warmly welcomed!
Together, We can Save Them All!
