The Rescue Journal

Found shivering under a car in Williamsburg, Luna was just 8 weeks old and terrified. Thanks to our volunteer network and foster family, she's now a confident, playful kitten ready for her forever home.

It was a cold March evening when Maria, one of our street team volunteers, received a call about a tiny kitten crying under a parked car. When she arrived, she found Luna—barely bigger than a ball of yarn—shaking and scared.

After a trip to the vet and lots of TLC from her foster family, Luna blossomed. She went from hiding under furniture to greeting everyone at the door, purring and ready to play. Today, Luna is healthy, spayed, vaccinated, and looking for a loving forever home.

Interested in adopting Luna? Visit our adoption page to learn more.

Max, a 9-year-old mixed breed, spent several months with us after his previous owner could no longer care for him. Senior dogs often face challenges finding new homes, but Max never gave up hope.

When the Johnson family visited our adoption event, they weren't planning to adopt that day. But Max walked right up to their daughter and gently placed his head in her lap. The connection was instant and undeniable.

Today, Max enjoys daily walks in Prospect Park, cozy naps on the couch, and all the belly rubs he could ever want. His family says he's brought so much joy and calm to their home. This is why we never give up on our animals, no matter their age.

Getting Started

Fostering saves lives. When you open your home to a foster animal, you're creating space in our network for another rescue. Here's how to prepare:

• Create a safe, quiet space for your foster pet to decompress
• Stock up on food, litter, and basic supplies (we'll reimburse you!)
• Be patient—some animals need time to adjust
• Stay in touch with your foster coordinator for support
• Take lots of photos and videos for adoption posts

Remember, fostering is temporary, but the impact you make lasts forever. Ready to get started? Sign up to be a foster volunteer today.

Jessica has been volunteering with us for over three years, bringing her expertise as a certified dog trainer to help our rescue dogs learn basic commands, overcome fear, and become confident companions.

"I started volunteering because I wanted to use my skills to make a difference," Jessica says. "Seeing a fearful dog transform into a playful, trusting pet is the most rewarding experience."

Jessica runs weekly training sessions with our foster dogs, helping them learn manners that make them more adoptable. She also provides guidance to foster families and adopters, ensuring a smooth transition into their forever homes.

Want to volunteer your skills? Join our team today.

TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return, a program that humanely traps community cats, spays or neuters them, and returns them to their outdoor homes. This approach has been proven to reduce cat populations over time while improving the lives of cats and the communities they live in.

Why TNR Works

• Stops the breeding cycle, reducing overpopulation
• Improves cat health through vaccinations and medical care
• Reduces nuisance behaviors like fighting and yowling
• Saves taxpayer money compared to catch-and-kill programs
• Allows cats to live out their lives in familiar territory

Our team has TNR'd over 200 cats in Brooklyn this year alone. If you see community cats in your neighborhood and want to help, reach out to us to learn more about TNR in your area.

What started as one person feeding a few cats behind a local bodega has grown into a community-wide effort to care for Brooklyn's street cats. Neighbors have built insulated shelters, organized feeding schedules, and worked with us to TNR the colonies.

"It's amazing to see how people come together for these cats," says longtime resident Patricia. "We have a group chat now where we coordinate who's feeding, who's checking on them, and who's available to trap when needed."

This grassroots effort has improved the lives of over 30 community cats in the area. The cats are healthier, the neighborhood is cleaner, and residents feel more connected to each other.

Want to start a similar effort in your neighborhood? Contact us for guidance and resources.