Five years ago, we were looking for an older kitten/young adult as a companion for our 14 yr old cat. You see, her sister died earlier that year & we were all ready to have a compatible kitten for our family. I was searching on Petfinder & Adopt-A-Pet saw the bio of Ike (now named Raspy) & Trixie(now named Nurra). We were smitten w/their pictures & the description of their personalities. I sent out an application & emailed Lorena. I'm an experienced cat parent & understand the ins & outs of adopting in different situations: shelter, cattery & foster homes. They are a small rescue group that has no shelters, but foster homes in Connecticut. I knew I had to act quickly as kittens tended to adopted quickly, but also they may not respond right away due to being a small rescue. I had all the paperwork, references & current vet info for the application. We came up to see the kittens(prior to COVID, so the protocols might be different now) because we know of the importance of a cat "choosing you" before making the final decision. We had to quarantine them because one of our kittens was still recovering from fungus (despite topical treatment & oral medication ), plus we had an older cat (who had IBD). When I told Lorena about Raspy's situation, she immediately mailed medication & instructions. We have a wonderful & cat-only veterinarian who was able to walk us through his treatment. in response to other reviewers posts: (about kittens) Kittens are vulnerable to communicable diseases whether they are from foster homes, shelters or catteries. Even if you adopt a purebred kitten from a reputable breeder, there's no guarantee about their health (unless it's obvious because of neglect). One cat I adopted from from a different shelter had a respiratory condition(from a ward that treats respiratory conditions) & the shelter walked me through the continuing treatment, For example: Another kitten we adopted from a reputable breeder had a significant upper-respiratory illness (this was before we adopted from Second Hand Siamese) over 20 yrs ago. For those who complained that Secondhand Siamese is neglectful because of communicable diseases, they are likely not experienced cat parents. It's a part of the process and why a rescue recommends to go to a vet w/in 30 days. As for price of adoption: small rescue organizations & licensed breeders accrue expenses & adoption fee barely covers for their costs: The care for housing, feeding, medical treatment, relocation fees/transport plus part of adoption fees goes towards medical treatment for special needs cats, cats that need surgeries & preemie kittens who need bottle feeding runs up costs. Their adoption fees for kittens is comparable to other rescue groups. Plus, cats can live (on average) between 14 yrs to 24 yrs & you'll need to be prepared to pay for vet costs & quality of life care. If you're unable to pay $200 to $600 for your cat/kitten, you should think really hard if you can afford to adopt a pet, As for availability: kittens & young adult cat tend to get adopted quickly. It's best to put in application immediately or before you make your final decision. That way, you won't be disappointed if the cat(s) you want don't get snatched up by another prospective adopter. Often, there might be more than 1 person who's interested in the same kitten. When we were looking to adopt, I sent an application & sent an email. I received a response right away. This way, we were able to put in our preferences. We arrived that upcoming weekend & were able to play w/them & tell Second Hand Siamese our final decision the following day. The way we were able to adopt our kittens was stress free & we were able to see the emerging personalities of our kittens. The pandemic has created more people looking to adopt; on the other hand, adopters don't always know the needs, attention & costs of raising a cat. We are thrilled w/our adorable, affectionate, intelligent & *talkative!* furkids from Second Hand Siamese. Our lives have improved for the better since they joined our family. When we are looking to adopt again we plan to see if there's someone who has the personality that would fit our family. We would definitely recommend adopting from them. Highly recommended! Btw, Yelp has mysteriously put my recommendations into the wrong place. I do recommend Second Hand Siamese. Below is a picture of our cats. read more

People...please, when looking at "reviews," look well at the people leaving them - then do me a big favor. Message me. Let me tell you the whole story. The truth. Along with the emails and text messages to back it up. The few negatives we have are either from people who have not adopted from us, are blatantly lying, or, the best one yet...are people being coerced by other rescues. We have already been informed by several adopters, that there is a rescue in relatively close proximity to us, that is directing people to certain negative reviews on our page. I am seriously at the point that if people want to keep on with these types of stunts, the lies, and basically just being pissed off because they want a cat or kitten "on sale," well then, THEIR info should be published also. It's ridiculous to try and harm a rescue who does the work we do, whether it be because you feel we are "competition," or because you feel that cats basically should be given away. Food Litter Vetting Electricity Housing Kennels Beds Cat trees Meds Supplements Basic cleaning supplies Not to mention, the 24/7 time that we put into this rescue. These all come at a cost - and that cost comes either out of pocket or through our adoption fees. If you feel our adoption fees are too high, and you can't understand WHY they are higher, we understand you going elsewhere. We certainly don't attack you or your reputation because of it. Sadly, in today's society, it is ok - because you can hide behind a keyboard, hide behind a fake name, fake gender, etc. The review just left by Harry R.? Harry is a female. That is not Harry in the profile picture. Harry stole a picture from the TikTok account of Olivia Janam. (Look and see for yourself). We did let him know and the review and profile have been reported. Harry was never quoted a 900.00 adoption fee. Out of 4 reviews, Harry has only left one positive review. Harry is not a happy person because Harry is possibly not getting a kitten she wants for what, the 125.00 MAX, that she says shelters are charging. Yeah. No. We can't even walk out of our vet for that. But hey, maybe Harry needs to go through these expenditures on her own...or better yet, go and spend the 2,000-3,000 on a "purebred." Oh, and another good one? The review left by Gary B? This guy lives in Rhode Island. Check out his "two" reviews. Both negatives. One for us and one for a breeder. Gary already has at least one cat. Gary lives in a small home, roughly 700 sq ft. Gary wanted to adopt two kittens. We did not know Gary was disabled. However, Gary uses it as a crutch to get what he wants. Gary was never harassed, nor threatened. After Gary left his negative review, he sent us an email. Yes, we still have the email. Gary said "give me two Russian Blue kittens of my choice and I will remove the review." Enough said. We are here to save as many cats and kittens as we can. We take the old cats, the sick cats, the cats and kittens needing eye removals, the ones needing amputations...oh, and we have two right now that may need skin grafts because someone thought it was funny to pour a caustic substance on their backs. So, you decide. You can go with the 80+ positives (scroll down to the bottom so that you can see the reviews "removed" by algorithms, OR competitors reporting positive reviews - or you can follow up with the few miserable souls that the only thing in their lives they have control over are their keyboards. Sorry for the rant, but all this bs does is take away from saving cats. If you think we are "getting rich" on adoption fees, I'll gladly turn my massive credit card bills over to you - because 90% of them are cat related. read more

We had put in for a kitten a couple of months ago, and after filling out an application, did not get either of the two we were interested in. Other people "won". But, John kept our application on file and when our girl became available, we emailed them immediately. John replied in a timely manner, offering to let us have her. After reading some of the reviews, I was hesitant. I WAS WRONG! John genuinely cares for these animals. It is not just a business. He was pleasant, helpful, and informative. Yes, they have a lot of cats throughout the house, but every one of them purred and sought John out when he approached the cage. He had strays, who were pregnant and he refused to let the mothers be spayed and lose the babies. He chose to care for them and place the babies when ready. A mess? The house is full of cats, kittens, food, litter...everything the animals need. The animals are in good hands and only care about that, not how pretty it looks. Yes, if you want to go through any of your local not-for-profit shelters, you can get a pet for pennies on the dollar. They receive funding, donations (tax deductible) and volunteer help. You have every right to go there and not to this business. If you choose to adopt through this business, they do exactly what shelters do; have a vet do an examination of the animal, run blood work, spay, give shots. However, they receive no funding, and need to recoup expenses in order to stay in business. If you do not want to pay the amount charged for the animal, go elsewhere. My daughter wanted a specific breed of cat, so we went to a pet store in White Plains, NY. When they told me the price of the cat, I told them I had a car and only wanted a cat! They then told me that they offered 36 month financing at approximately 21% interest...but, no early payoff penalty. I overheard people talking who had just been at a different pet store and they wanted $6,500 for some dog, and this location was only about $5,000!!! So.... if you want a specific type of cat, which Second Hand Siamese has, they are very reasonable. I will go to them again if we are looking for a specific type of cat.... My review is based on my experience, which was great! read more

I was looking to adopt a cat last winter. After contacting shelters and other various rescues for a while I was about to give up. Most shelters I applied for never responded to my application (despite having great references), and have a weird system where they put you on a waiting list and don't let you pick the cat you want, but rather give you whatever is available when it's your turn. Most were very picky and wanted me to adopt 2 cats a time which I didn't want. I saw the photo of a cat on petfinder and fell in love with him (Tobias) right away. I decided to try one last time with this rescue. After texting the number I found out the cat I wanted was still available for adoption and went the next morning to see him. I immediately clicked with his personality and he was very sweet. The process was smooth and quick and my application was approved and I got to bring him home! Kind service all around. Tobias is a joy to my family's life and makes everyone smile. He settled in right away and was calm and at ease and I know that he was treated well at this rescue because he is extremely friendly and is not timid at all. He is extremely goofy and lovable. Well behaved. He was already litter trained and came with vet paperwork which cleared him with perfect health. Yes the adoption fee was a little bit higher than other shelters but the quick easy communication and the way the cats are treated makes it worth it. Any questions I asked were answered. No run around like I had with other shelters. Keep in mind this is a private rescue where the energy and focus goes into the animals from just a few dedicated people. The cats are receiving personal care and attention. They are used to bonding with people and living in a home environment. Also note that they have specialty breed cats. If I adopt again I will 100% adopt from here. read more

We adopted a bonded pair of cats (3 month old kitten and 1 year old "teenager") from Second Hand Siamese in February of this year and could not be happier with the experience. I agree with a previous comment re: the price. While the adoption fee is expensive, it is obvious that the cats are well loved and tended to and receive a good amount of time out of cages while waiting for their forever family, making it worth every penny. My favorite part of the adoption process was receiving a video of our two kitties interacting with John so we could get an idea of their personalities. It was obvious that they adored him! Along with physical health, I appreciate how much John and Lorena care about their cats' emotional well-being. We were only looking for one cat at the time, but the kitten we were interested in had formed a strong bond with a slightly older cat they had rescued. They were insistent that the two be adopted together and were holding out for the right family to understand that special connection. I am not kidding when I say that adopting the pair ended up winning us the kitty jackpot. I have never seen two cats so closely bonded before and cannot imagine what it would have been like for them to be separated. I am so grateful to John and Lorena for recognizing how important this was, even if it meant holding onto them a little longer until they could be adopted together. And the fact that John and Lorena send a friendly text every few months to check in and see how the boys are doing speaks volumes about how much they care about the animals they rescue even after they've been adopted! They are always so happy to receive updated photos and stories, and I am happy to gush about our sweet furbabies. Our family is so grateful for them and the work that they do! read more

I agree with some of the other reviewers who mentioned the adoption fee. My first cat was a rescue and they practically paid me to adopt her ($10). That particular organization is subsidized by the local government, so that definitely makes a difference. With that said, the most I've seen non-goverment subsidized rescues charge is $500 with most in the $100‐200 range. Still, I was looking specifically for a Siamese and I paid what I would have paid a breeder ($800). Regarding John (I did not meet Lorena the day I went), he was friendly and did genuinely seem to care about the animals. There were lots of cats in his house, but he also had lots of space for large cages and I could see bags of other supplies (litter) around ready to go. When I initially saw a listing for two Siamese cats, I filled out an application right away but they were adopted pretty much immediately. When John saw I was interested, he contacted me first before listing another Siamese online which was very nice of him to do. So, the takeaway is, yes, they charge a lot, especially for animals that are in high demand, but you don't actually have to adopt from them, do you! ;) I got quotes of upwards of $2600 for a Siamese from a breeder, but I prefer to adopt when I can. While I would've loved another $10 cat adoption, I was willing to do business with this organization in order to get what I wanted. The cat we got was healthy and is a total love bug. He was already litter trained, loves being held, and has settled in nicely with my other cat and our chihuahua-pug mix. I had a positive experience overall. read more

We recently adopted a kitten from Second Hand Siamese to add to our family of 2 other cats already. It was a smooth process. John was polite and nice from our first email. We drove 2 hours to pick up our new little ragdoll kitten, and John's house looked like a typical cat foster house. (Kitty toys, furniture, food boxes, etc.) Inside, all the cats and kittens were content in their own cages--most were sleeping comfortably. Just by talking with John in person, we could tell he is dedicated to what he does. He seems like he genuinely cares for the cats and kittens he rescues. Someone with a negative review mentioned the adoption price being expensive, but we expected that (and maybe others should, too, if making the big, impactful decision of adding a member to the family). If you are searching for a specific breed, you should do your appropriate research and adopt/buy from a reputable breeder, not expect fosters and rescuers to know the exact breeds of all the special cats they rescue. We understood the price we paid was to cover costs of his vet visits so far, being neutered, and other needed items. I am personally happy John took the time to make sure our kitten was seen by vets and taken care of. If you are searching for a new kitten or cat, you should visit Second Hand Siamese in Danbury, CT. They have lots of furry friends that are being taken care of. I am sure you'll find a great new family member for you. (And our kitten is fitting right in with our little family. 3 ) read more

My husband and I adopted two beautiful Siamese kittens from John and Lorenia at Second Hand Siamese, as we love the oriental breeds. If we had the room for more meezers, we would have left with four kittens rather then two! The house in Danbury where the rescues are kept was absolutely spotless. There were no odors or dirt of any kind and the cats were in a very sterile environment. All the cats and kittens were very relaxed, content and the babies were put together with their mommies. John gave us all the vet records for our kittens with instructions on when to get the next round of shots. Folks, I've adopted quite a few cats and even purchased kittens from a breeder. This place by far is a much nicer facility that I've ever been in. John even texted me to find out how the kittens were doing. He asked me to send him pictures of them as they mature. Wow, who does that? Someone who loves animals and has devoted his life to the animals well-being. I HIGHLY recommend Second Hand Siamese for the adoption of cats of all colors and breeds. I'm already looking forward to the next adoption we make from them. I wouldn't even consider adopting from anybody else. Love these guys. They are the BEST!!!! read more

It was petfinder that was instrumental in leading us to Second Hand Siamese in Danbury CT. We had just lost our 19 year old Birman Siamese and were heart broken. John got in touch with us after we fell in love with a photo of Choc Choc online. She's a 5 year old Chocolate point Siamese and beautiful in every way. He sent an application and responded quickly to our request. He interviewed on the phone and made an appointment for use to pick up Choc Choc. When we picked her up, he had all her medical records with up to date vaccines. Johns home is truly a place of refuge for these dear cats. They are all well cared for with an abundance of love. It is his desire to find each one a forever home. Our Choc Choc (now Coco Puff) had been a joy from the moment we brought her home in October. She's made herself very comfortable. She's found every window, loves to watch the birds and gets along with our dog. She's very loving and has learned our names and hers very quickly. This has been a wonderful adoption. Thank you John. Coco Puff completes our family and she is home. read more

We were a bit hesitant to adopt from a rescue we hadn't worked with before. But after talking with John, we felt comfortable and went forward with it. Second Hand Siamese was very professional, answered all our questions in a timely fashion and provided all vet records. From meeting John we immediately could tell this rescue has a personal relationship with each cat they rescue and they truly love every kitty. Some reviews noted that the price was very high -- while I agree, I noticed they only charge a higher price for some certain cats. And they do this so they can pay to rescue and get medical care for "less desirable" kitties that would otherwise be euthanized. I think if you are able to spend a higher amount on a cat, it is worth doing so here because you can help other cats too at the same time. Since we brought our kitty home, she has remained a healthy, happy cat who seems familiar with human interaction. We absolutely love her, and are so glad she was rescued by the people at Secondhand Siamese! read more

I have adopted 2 cats from John and Lorena and could not be happier! The first, Mila, was a 2 year old rescue from the south. I wanted a change as I had just lost my beloved red boy Mr. Flynn and could not think about another orange male cat just yet. Mila is he most loving, affectionate girl and also extremely brave, She was so tiny when she came home and hid for a couple of days but after that she settled right it. She just needed a bit of time. Fast forward a few months and I really felt that if I was going to get another cat I should get on with it and checked in with John again. I thought Mila would be more accepting of a kitten and I think that was the right thing to do. Rooney is pictured on the drive home at 12 weeks. It took about 5 days of separation for them to get used to each other and after that all was well. Again, you just need to be a little patient. They are wonderful cats and I think John and Lorena do a fantastic job and are very caring. and responsible. read more

My experience with Second Hand Siamese 2 Rescue was wonderful. John responded to my interest in a particular cat (who is now my cat Esme) almost immediately and processed my application very quickly. He had a relaxed manner when I arrived to meet and adopt Esme, and it seemed like he really knew quite about the personalities of the different cats in the shelter. After having lived with Esme for two months now, I can say that his assessment of her was spot on. Esme adjusted very quickly to being part of our family and was comfortable with all the individuals in our Covid "pod" from day one. I chalk this up in large part to the socialization that Esme must have gotten from John and the others at Second Hand Siamese. The adoption fee was high, but I could tell that she was getting excellent care and attention at the shelter. I have already recommended Second Hand Siamese to two other people. read more

We just adopted a very sweet, well-adjusted 11-week old kitten from John. He has 30 or so rescue cats and kittens in his home, including several high-needs cats with serious health issues. The cats were all calm and well cared for and we were so impressed by the home's overall cleanliness. Having cats at home ourselves for many years, we know how hard it can be to keep the litter boxes and food areas under control. The adoption fee was higher than I expected, but our kitten came spayed and with all up-to-date shots and paperwork. She is also litter box trained and, as mentioned, clearly well cared for. She adapted very quickly to our home and to our cat and dog, which we take as a sign that she was getting adequate attention and care with John during her first 11 weeks. We're happy with our experience and would adopt from Second Hand Siamese again. read more

What a wonderful experience with Second Hand Siamese! I had just lost my best feline friend of 13 years and was browsing pet finder.com to ease my broken heart when I came upon the most beautiful little boy. I immediately contacted John at Second Hand Siamese in Danbury and he was so prompt in getting back to me with an application. After submitting the application and being approved we had the opportunity to meet our little guy, Sonar, within the weekend! John was so kind and accommodating. The rescue is clean, organized and you can tell the cats are loved and cared for deeply. Since then Sonar has been such a light in our lives and I can't thank Second Hand Siamese enough for giving us this opportunity to love again. Please support this rescue as they are doing amazing things to save cats that deserve loving families! read more

Phenomenal rescue! I was a first-time adopter, and John and Lorena gave me a lot of helpful information on cat care, which I really appreciated/ needed. I was nervous but the process was very swift. The application process was easy to navigate, and I like that they have an application- it shows that they care about where their cats are going and want to make sure they are going to loving homes. Included in the price were my kitty's vetting, immunizations, and spay, which is phenomenal because she didn't have to go through the stress of going to the vet while transitioning to a new environment. I know that the vet charges for this would have been high, so I'm glad that it was included in the adoption fee. Overall great experience, Lorena and John were a pleasure to work with and I love my kitty! read more

Second Hand Siamese is an amazing organization. With other shelters/rescues, I never got calls or emails back. When I contacted SHS I was called back within an hour. Overnight that night John gave me 3 possible matches and I was elated and got my application in right away. The adoption process went along very smoothly. John was supportive whenever I asked questions about anything at all, and Lula-Belle is completely beautiful and wonderful. She is very socialized about being touched by humans and has safe paws when she is dealing with human skin. That's tough to teach but they did it! I had such a good experience all the way around with John and SHS. I admire them for saving and finding homes for all kinds of cats even those with special needs. They are exceptionally kind! read more

We adopted a dog from this rescue just over a month ago after putting in applications with many other rescues for over 6 months. We were approved by many rescues but the animals were always placed elsewhere. Others would not even respond even after filling out very lengthy applications, we were just about to quit our search because it was so exhausting and then we heard back from Second Hand Siamese...This rescue was responsive from the start which was a pleasant surprise. They are mainly a cat rescue that has dogs from time to time. We had a great experience from start to finish. The dog we adopted is amazing and he is the most loving and funny little guy. He has been the prefect addition to our family and we are so grateful to them for choosing us! read more

We just adopted our new kitten from this rescue. She is perfect. Happy, healthy and fills the hole in our hearts left behind by the passing of our precious 16 year old, Misha. The adoption experience was great from the start. We received a full medical history and spent a delightful hour meeting other kitty residents. The cost was a little more, but we were not looking for a bargain, we were looking for a lifetime companion. This is a private rescue, not a shelter. They house most of their cats themselves and that cost alone must be astronomical. John and Lorena's home is beautiful, clean and filled with happy babies - most from not-so-great backgrounds. Many nursed back to health by them. Who could ask for more? Happy adopter here. read more