Contribute to the care of a HSNY dog or cat! A $250 donation ensures the pet receives an examination by a veterinarian, neutering, vaccines, and the tests necessary to prepare for adoption. Donors will receive a photo and bio of their sponsored pet.
To sponsor a rescue pet call 212.752.4842 or email Anne-Marie Karash.
We are always in need of a variety of items for the daily operations of our clinic, office, and the Vladimir Horowitz & Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center.
"We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."
Henry Beston, The Outermost House
Founded in 1904 to help the city’s working horses by providing water troughs, new shoes, blankets, and much-needed rest, we have evolved over the decades. Today, we care for both dogs and cats in our hospital and the Vladimir Horowitz and Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center.
As a result of this work and dedication to our animals, HSNY has been awarded the coveted America’s Best Charities Seal of Excellence for meeting the highest standards of public accountability, program efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.
HSNY has also earned a Charity Navigator 4-star rating annually. As a result of the shelter's efficient operation, 97% of all funds raised are allocated directly to our program activities.
Supporters should know that efficient management (by a superior staff of professionals working with a non-salaried President, Board of Directors and volunteers) allows an impressive 97% of all monies raised to go directly into program activities.
We are proud to have been green for many years.
The Alpha Workshop original murals grace our Rowsby Dog Pavilion.
One of many visits by the Humane Society of New York to the Hebrew Home. It was a day enjoyed by all! See more photos of our visits.
For many years, the Humane Society of New York had a program to help place retiring carriage horses. Click here to view photos of past adoptions.
Lyme disease is a serious illness that affects both people and animals. Please speak to your veterinarian to make sure your cats and dogs are protected. Again, this is a very serious, potentially life-threatening illness.
There are too many animals who have no home to go to and will never have a home to go to. Please neuter and don't breed.
Learn about Puppy MillsIt is a busy and exciting time for us here at the Humane Society of New York, and we wanted you, our supporters, to know firsthand the impact your support is making.
On any given day, HSNY treats animals with diverse needs. For many, HSNY is often the only place they find help, and our primary concern is the care and well-being of all animals in our city. We will never stop putting the health and safety of our pet population first. To do so, we continue to take every measure to ensure our staff remains in place and intact, following prudent COVID-19 protocols and access to our center. While these changes have limited in-person visits for some community members since the beginning of the pandemic, these updated processes ensured that our critical veterinary care and adoption outreach initiatives functioned continuously and seamlessly since March 2020. Most importantly, these changes allowed our facility to remain open throughout the pandemic. HSNY never closed its doors, serving as a critical community resource before, during and after the height of the pandemic, when many veterinary hospitals and other animal organizations were not fully operational.
As a result, our facility was able to handle our regular patients plus all additional cases directed to us. More and more we saw people from all walks of life that had just lost their jobs and income, not knowing whether they would ever be employed again. What they did know is that they could turn to us when their pets needed medical attention. In fact, by leveraging virtual technology and years of experience matching the right animal to the right family, we have matched 200 pets with loving caretakers since the start of COVID. As a result of our careful and diligent adoption process, not a single animal we’ve matched has been returned to our shelter! Thank you to everyone who has continued to support us in caring for the animals of our city.
We are also excited to share a few upcoming changes you will see at HSNY over the next few months:
If you have walked past our home on East 59th Street, you may have noticed the construction and scaffolding. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2019 so the facility could be upgraded and become ADA compliant, but like everything else in NYC, COVID slowed down our timeline and now, we expect completion of the project in 2023. This temporary construction is making way for an upgraded and improved space for our animals and staff as we actively work to ensure our spaces are both ADA compliant - with improved accessibility for all visitors - and provide a more updated lobby and reception area. In the meantime, we will continue to meet the needs of:
Thus far, our clinic operations have not been impacted by this construction; animals continue to receive expert medical care, our staff is in place, and the community continues to adopt our animals.
While there are many changes to come and more to share in the coming months, one thing that will never change is our passion for the animals in our city. We will continue to provide innovative, high-quality veterinary care, work tirelessly to match our animals with their forever home, and bring education and awareness to animal protection issues throughout New York.
Thank you for your patience while we navigate through this exciting transition.
Eloise, Safely Tucked in Her Car Seat Heading Home
It was a very long journey, seven years in the making, that brought her to us. Litter after litter was born to this Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as she spent her days stuck inside a dirty barn in Ohio.
She sat there patiently and accepted her lot in life.
Although her constitution was delicate, no one looked after her health. When she was no longer useful to them, they turned her out.
Upon intake in September we were met with such a good-natured little girl. Covered in mats of straw, mud and waste, we had to bathe her several times as the odor was overwhelming. Eloise enjoyed the warm water and being doted on.
Her sweet demeanor did not let on that her ears were painful, swollen and itchy with a staph infection. Our vets also found her to have an eye infection, multiple stubborn parasites and severe dental disease with some loose decayed teeth. Her body condition overall was poor. Obviously, she had not been spayed.
The most serious finding, however, concerned her heart. After we did an echo-cardiogram, we diagnosed a serious chronic congenital heart condition. We took her to a cardiologist for a second opinion and it confirmed our doctors’ findings.
As we got to know her, we realized just how neglected and deprived she was in her previous life.
Eloise had never been on a proper walk, and getting her comfortable outside on a leash and harness took time. The concept of eating out of a bowl also seemed foreign to her. Later we learned that in her former living situation, food was scattered on the ground and it was first-come, first-served.
For a bit of exercise we were going to have her walk some stairs, but she froze. Of course she didn’t know how to do stairs, having been confined to a barn all her life. We slowly taught her step by step, using treats and encouragement, and she seemed so pleased with herself.
By April, we had cleared up her parasites. Her spay and dentistry were done the same day so we wouldn’t have to put her under anesthesia twice. Eloise now loves to walk and play with toys (the squeakier the better). She is fond of all treats, big and small, and will gladly curl up in your lap and take a nap. Presently she is not exhibiting any signs of heart failure and is on daily medication –– loving, happy and patiently waiting for what comes next.
After having been emotionally starved her whole life, her tolerance for affection is endless.
Not all stories have a happy ending, but we’re delighted to let you know that after seven months of treatment and rehabilitation, Eloise has been adopted. A lovely woman who had lost her pet from heart disease was ready for another sweet dog to love. When she met Eloise, she knew that she was the one for her.
We’re told that Eloise is thriving in her new home. She has an endless selection of toys, a lovely backyard to explore, and has bonded beautifully with her new mom. We don’t know how many more years she will have, but right now, life is good.
Home should be a safe haven but sadly for some animals it is the opposite, a place where they are neglected, forgotten or disposed of. Only a very small number of dogs and cats remain in one home their whole lives. Fully 90% are given away, or are victims of loss, theft or abandonment. They must cope with the confusion, fear and loneliness that follow.
Best Buddies, Ricky and JB
It was freezing when the woman took her dog out on their usual morning walk. The dog, always well-mannered in his harness, started pulling as they were getting close to the abandoned building on the corner. When they were almost in front of it, the dog pulled her to the curb. He began nosing his way through a pile of leaves and garbage bags in the gutter.
At first, all the woman could see was fur and a tail, and she cautiously brushed the rest of the debris away. Her dog began to whine. There was the cat. He was stiff.
As she knelt down by his side she thought she saw him move. She stared at him but didn’t see anything. Maybe it was the wind. And then she saw it again.
He was breathing. Barely noticeable, but breathing.
She gingerly picked him up in her scarf and held him close, being as careful as she could to keep him still. With one hand on the leash and her other hand cradling the cat, she walked back home and called the Humane Society of New York. We told her to come right in.
The black and white cat was in critical shape. He obviously had been hit by a car and suffered greatly from the impact. His breathing was labored, and one of his back legs was dangling. Our team of doctors gave him immediate supportive care.
Ricky, whom we guessed to be around 9 years old, weighed only 6 pounds. He was dangerously anemic. Instead of a normal pink color, his gums were pale white. A front leg was fractured. His abdomen was distended and his pelvis swollen. He had a severe and stubborn upper respiratory infection. Ultimately his right hind leg had to be amputated.
What this cat showed us was that he wanted to live. He never missed a meal, and would let you know if he wanted seconds. Throughout everything he went through, X-rays, blood tests and physical therapy, this little miracle of a boy never showed any aggression. If you stopped petting him, he would lightly tap you with a paw to continue. He was sweet, hungry and grateful.
Everyone became so fond of Ricky. He had the entire medical team cheering him on.
It took months of daily treatment, and little by little he regained his weight and strength.
A couple who recently lost their senior cat submitted an adoption application for Ricky. They had a large rescue dog who loved cats and he, along with them, really missed their cat. After meeting Ricky in our adoption center and learning about everything that he had been through, they were hoping that he would be comfortable living with a dog.
We introduced Ricky to a few of our cat-friendly adoption dogs of different sizes. He was not only not afraid, he wanted to interact with them.
Our care and Ricky’s indomitable spirit carried him through. This little boy didn’t just survive, he is engaged, active and thriving. His journey through the worst of times is over.
The HSNY Adoption team drove him to his new home in Brooklyn. We offered advice on getting him acclimated and introducing him to their dog. His new owners kept them separated for a couple of days, and then carefully let them meet nose to nose.
Ricky, who was saved by a dog, now sleeps with their dog, JB, leaving less space in the bed for the rest of the family. Just a big goofy dog and his new best friend, a three-legged cat, living their best life.
Eloise and Ricky had to undergo a great deal of medical care before they were ready to be adopted. Many animals may find their forever home within days, weeks or months. No matter how long it takes, every dog and cat is lovingly looked after and cared for until their permanent and responsible home is found.
Photo by Richard Phibbs
Regardless of who you are or where you come from, you could find yourself needing help.
Richard Phibbs' many photo shoots with HSNY adoption animals have created lovely portraits. These photos have been seen all over the world, inspiring shelters everywhere to do the same. Richard Phibbs' book Rescue Me featuring HSNY dogs and cats is available on Amazon.
The Metro Section of the New York Times showcased the book in the article: "Gilded Gift-Giving: The City That Leaps From the Page".
"Witnessing Phibbs and his crew devote equal effort to the shelter and its animals - clients who couldn't even begin to generate the kind of fees Phibbs' talent commands... told the story best. If anyone needed Phibbs' caliber of PR and an eye towards revealing a soul's inner beauty- it was the loyal animals who had suffered from their human's misfortunes. These former family pets needed a head shot and a good publicist –Phibbs provided both."
-Dr. Pia Salk, onsight for one of the Phibbs' photo shoots
Toby and Lafayette photographed by our good friend Richard Phibbs in the HSNY Adoption Center.
View our Adoptable Animals
The Humane Society of New York's 2023 Humane Medal recipient is
SeaLegacyCristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen, for their creation of SeaLegacy and their body of work.
SeaLegacy is bringing attention to the oceans and the creatures that live within it, which are vitally important to all our lives. Oceans are the lifeblood of our Earth. Without healthy oceans, we cannot survive.
Humane MedalHome should be a safe haven but sadly for some animals it is the opposite - a place where they are neglected, disposed of, or forgotten. Only a very small number of dogs and cats remain in one home their whole lives. 90% are given away, or are victims of loss, theft, or abandonment. They must cope with the confusion, fear and loneliness that follow. Our shelter understands these issues and has long been praised for our innovative, highly individualized approach to both animal care and the wellness and our staff. In fact, HSNY is open seven days a week so that pet owners are always able to count on us for veterinary care. Our hope is that as we deal with these issues every day we are able to address the immense amount of medical needs in the hospital, rehabilitate our animals and ultimately find them forever homes.
We are heartbroken to let everyone know that our beloved mascot of 14 years, Willis, passed away.
Til we meet again, dear Willis. You will always live on in our hearts.
Enjoy Bergdorf Goodman's "Unleashed" as it brings back happy memories of past holiday seasons.
The HSNY is concerned for all animals and their well-being; we have provided care for exotic pets and wildlife.
George the swan was sick with a bacterial infection. After receiving medical care at our hospital, he was able to return to his mate, Gladys, and the sanctuary.
Watch Gladys as she is reunited with George after he completed his medical treatment at the HSNY.
