This experience was honestly heartbreaking. I was trying to adopt a cat called Onyx back in October…read more2025 and was fully ready to provide a stable, loving home. I even offered to complete a home visit and go through every step of the process. Instead, I was denied based on the opinion of the previous owner, someone who had already given the cat up because they believed Onyx should go to a home with another cat. That felt completely inappropriate. Once a pet is surrendered, decisions should be based on the current situation and the adopter, not someone who no longer has the animal. And a rescue should keep that in mind. What made it even more upsetting is that I wasn't even given the chance to meet him or be properly considered. Meanwhile, Onyx remained in a café environment for months, despite concerns about how it was affecting him. He didn't get adopted until February 3, 2026. It's heartbreaking to think he could have been in a loving home much sooner. I ended up adopting another cat shortly after, who is now thriving, which only confirmed I was more than capable. This process felt overly restrictive and not truly centered on what was best for the cat. Do not recommend this rescue at all unless unless you happen to meet their very rigid and limiting criteria.

I adopted my kitties from this rescue a little over a year ago. I've had cats most of my life but…read morehad just gotten out of a housing situation where I had to watch a cat die and another be left to be neglected (no opportunity to rescue that cat). After a very nasty divorce, I lost the cats I'd had with my ex (who didn't deserve them considering he knew zip about them and didn't even care about his older declawed cat when trying to take in a younger clawed cat who'd been living on the streets) and vowed to get my own cats that no one could take away once I got my own place to live. That took over 8 years but finally happened so I looked into finding maybe an older but not super old cat. I felt getting kittens would be unlikely in NYC. These two were about 6 months old when I found out about them and I'd wanted a cat who looked like my first kitty Blink Eyes. I saw Coral first, learned she had a sister and after seeing how sweet they were on video, asked my building if I could have 2 cats. They said "sure" so I decided to pursue it. Having never previously dealt with a rescue and having heard horror stories about criteria and screening at some places, I felt I'd be rejected based on finances or having too small a space but I guess my getting window screens, having references who could speak well of me as a cat mom and the kitties themselves voting for me after meeting me in person got me these two. Now they're 18 months old and living a happy life, as you can probably see in the pics. I still have no clue how these 6 month old kittens didn't get snatched up in a second (they were found at 3 months) but I guess when it's meant to be, it just happens. Their foster mom even told me they'd have to go someplace else if I didn't take them so I felt I had served my goal of helping a cat who really needed it. I had my apprehensions at first but they talk now and definitely seem to be happy; they are my furry children and according to my mother, completely spoiled rotten.

As I read through the comments, I thought woahhhh.. lots of unhappy people. Did that stop me from…read morestopping by? Nope! Upon arrival, the handsome Spike was snuggled up in the window section with his little tongue out. A young lady greeted me, informed me of the procedures that would take place prior to me entering. Sanitized and was ready for kitties! Now... I understand the frustration of many looking to adopt and being told no BUT these cats are LOVED by the staff and they are also feral cats. Without an understanding owner, all that TLC and patience put into the cats could lead to a stressful environment for the cats and potentially a new cat owner. Loved all the cats including the shy ones! Believe me when I say, I'll be back more often. Friendly and informative staff. Clean shelter and clean kitties.

I have been calling them for weeks. Their phone number does not work and there seems to be no way…read moreto get in touch with them when you have a dire situation on your hands.

I came to an adoption event that ZFF was at and came home with a beautiful healthy puppy. Azul had…read moreno applications and we felt horrible so we decided to foster her so we could see how she gets along with our other dog, Ranger, and we ultimately wound up adopting her. Mike was very helpful and very friendly. I can tell that him and the rescue really care about the dogs that they help. Thank you for letting us take care of sweet Azul (now Ellie Pickles) forever.

Cryptic, unprofessional emails. Corresponding with Zanis FF will really leave you scratching your…read morehead at best and extremely frustrated at worst. They'll give you the run around, tell you all sorts of reasons you're not a good fit for a dog--first they told me I wasn't a good fit because "the dog needed to be the only pet in the home", I reply saying he will be the only pet in the home (as mentioned in the application I submitted). Then they reply and say "oh okay well this dog is for someone without a very active lifestyle". I reply and say that's fine I'm happy with a little couch potato (which I knew bc I read the dog's profile before applying for him, duh, and I know an 8+ year old dog isn't going to be up for hikes and jogs). Then they say but this dog can't live in an apartment. Then I reply "but you just said he wasn't very active". Then they say "well we meant he can't live in a city environment". So why are you advertising dogs for adoption in the city? Where most people live in apartments? They literally didn't even want to interview me, contact my references, or arrange a meet and greet and instead told me they believe they will be stuck with the dog I applied for "forever". The point of rescues is to place dogs in forever homes, not keep them in shelters or fosters for the rest of their lives. I know the importance of finding a good fit, believe me. I know well-intentioned, kind people are rejected from rescues for all sorts of reasons. I love rescuing. I'm not a first time dog owner, I'm very experienced in +R training, I feed Orijen for crying out loud. Find it hard to believe I'm not a good fit for ANY of their dogs.

"Cat Castle" does life-saving work for companion animals, work that benefits people and their…read morecommunities, too. They are committed to stopping the cycle of suffering of pets living homeless, on the streets. I have seen them put everything into saving one life then do it again, and again, despite the inevitable disappointments. Sometimes it isn't possible to save them. Because of their growing knowledge and experience, CatCastle is becoming a resource for other rescues/rescuers, especially on newborn kittens. Humane education is another area where they great potential to do a great amount of good.

I'm honored to write the first review for these guys! I found Cat Castle NYC randomly searching…read moreInstagram for adoptables. Why Instagram, rather than the uber-popular, super visible adoption options in the city that come up on Google? Because A. I specifically wanted kittens and the big shelters I went to didn't have any. B. Because all the ultra-cool hip rescue organizations require you to practically sign away your firstborn child in order to adopt. I understand that they want to find the perfect adopter because it's in the best interest of the animal, but I see people bragging about their 2-page essays that accompany their applications because they're such A+ adopters. And hey, just because they want to assign "Exhibit As and Bs photos of their home life," high school English teacher references and SAT add-ons, doesn't mean that should set the standard. Holland from Cat Castle was warm, friendly and helpful when I reached out to her; the friendliest out of EVERY place I had looked into! I told her which kittens I was interested in, filled out the application, and she delivered my sweet boys to my apartment! She even came back to pick them up to take them to get neutered before delivering them back to me! I loved her energy and I love how she and Max have the knowledge to treat some of their rescues in their own home making some vet visits avoidable! While other pet rescues have an almost snooty demeanor about their approval process, I love how down-to-earth Cat Castle is and their non-discriminatory application process. And I'm so happy I was able to support a small, up-and-coming, NYC non-profit that truly cares for animals and wants to match them with potential adopters without being judgy about it. I 100% recommend them to anyone looking to adopt! ^_^

We had an outstanding experience adopting a pair of kittens from Des, the director of Uptown Cats…read more He can be found outside the Barnes & Nobles on 82nd and Broadway on (most) Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Check his website for details; he's pretty good at responding to e-mails and very good at answering phone calls. Des has been great since day 1 when we adopted the kittens. He keeps in frequent touch with us and helps ensure that our kittens stay healthy, up-to-date with their vaccinations and de-worming medicine. We could not have asked for a more supportive rescue director, and most importantly, it is apparent that Des truly loves cats, especially those in his care. I feel that commenting on V C.'s review is necessary because our experience stands in sharp contrast to her's. My partner and I also work long hours, and we disclosed this during the adoption process. Needless to say, Des treated us courteously and respectfully. He was happy to discuss with us the best methods for caring for kittens despite working outside the home for the majority of the day. So, had V C. perhaps explained her profession and its time commitment to Des, I am confident that her experience would have been vastly different.

Des is THE BEST…read moreAlthough we didn't get to adopt, we fell in love with a bonded pair of brothers, and we only could take care of one. He was incredible to work with in the process. You can definitely feel his passion, care and expertise with his kitties. It was a pleasure from the moment we contacted him. He was super responsive and caring. If you can't adopt, please donate to his cause. He truly cares for his cats and his work is a blessing.

I found a very injured, but lively and responsive, squirrel in a public park in Manhattan. 311…read moredirected me to the Wild Bird Fund as a potential option for vet care, but I did have to physically catch the squirrel on my own. I was able to transport him down there and the handoff was easy; they think he may have been attacked by a hawk or falcon. Either way, I deeply appreciate this organization!

Do not take pigeons here unless you are certain that nothing can be done to save the bird. DO NOT…read moredrop off with any expectation other than euthanasia. This is a place that accepts all birds, but does not TREAT all birds. They do not treat pigeons​. They have many times misled people who believed they were helping a pigeon that they turned over to the WBF, only to be devastated to find out nothing was done to help the bird at all. Even worse, you can clearly communicate on the form you fill out and verbally that you will take the bird if not releasable and there will be no communication initiated by the WBF. When you call or go in to follow up? "Bird was euthanized." It really looks like the WBF is on a mission to euthanize any pigeons brought to them without honestly communicating, " We do not treat pigeons but we will euthanize if you bring the bird to us." This is the place to bring a wild bird other than pigeons. The process is that you take the bird, fill out the form, and leave the bird. There is no fee.

I was impressed by the interview process before being accepted to the foster program. They were…read morevery organized at pickup site. I fell in love with my foster dog Rosie the minute I saw her

I am absolutely so sad and just irritated at this company. I have been trying to find a dog for a…read morefew months now and tried this place after being recommended and after going on website picking a dog arwen it said she's great with kids I have kids and we have been yearning for a dog we had our heart set on arwen and after filling out application the facebook acount told me we can't gave her and shes not good with kids. I then was trying to ask the persons I was speaking with about two other dogs to give y'all another chance and still nothing just telling me apply for dog. It's pretty pointless for me to apply for a dog when I. Your website dogs are listing good with kids and then once application is done apparently they aren't. This isn't good business at all and at this point I don't even want to get a dog from you. TElling me a puppy 2 month old is growling and slightly biting when picked up is not as concerning as you make it l. Puppies are learning and need trainning and positive guidance not discrimination. Do better. The dog can be trained like we planned on but instead my application just gets thrown away. No phone call no nothing. This is saddening and sickening. If I could I wouldn't even put 1 star it would be 0. Horrible customer service.

I spent a lot of time here over the last few months while my cat received cancer treatment. The…read morestaff worked with me at times when I couldn't pay, and not once did my cat suffer. She got the surgery and medication she needed. I can't begin to express how amazing the staff here are. From the doorman to the receptionist to the admin team, the techs and the Veterinarians. Every last person I interacted with was all so caring and supportive. I'm getting a little weepy typing this out. This is an amazing place full of good people.

They saved my kitty's life. The Humane Society has such…read morecaring people working here. Thank you for all the good you do!