VS Cat Rescue logo Valley Stream  
             Cat Rescue


 

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Valley Stream Cat Rescue is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation staffed entirely by volunteers and foster homes. Unfortunately, we do not have a shelter due to lack of funds.

The group started in 1995 and incorporated as non-profit in 2000.

VSCR was founded to assist in achieving the goal of eliminating homeless cats on Long Island.

Our mission is two-fold: we strongly practice and encourage trap/neuter/release programs whereby strays are humanely trapped then neutered, tested for feline diseases, vaccinated and evaluated for adoptability. If they are feral (untamable) they are released back into their colonies to live out the rest of their lives without reproducing. If they can be tamed, they are held for adoption.

VSCR's adoption program is structured to save any cat or kitten which can be tamed and permanently placed in an appropriate home. We enforce a strict adoption policy to ensure that each cat is placed in a safe, secure and loving home after it is given medical care. Upon adoption, the new owners must sign an adoption agreement (a legally binding contract), pay an adoption fee and receive the cat's medical history.

VSCR counsels new adopters in the care of their cats and through the introduction into their new home.

VSCR refers the public to such services as vets, animal behaviorists, pet-sitters and when necessary, animal abuse hotlines.

In addition, VSCR offers humane education regarding the over population problem. We school the public in the necessity of neutering their own pets as well as strays. Our creed is: "Spay or Neuter a Stray a Day!" We also educate, according to the Agriculture laws, the zero tolerance of animal abuse and abandonment.

With the cooperation of the Petco Foundation, we are able to display our cats awaiting adoption in three of the Petco stores on Long Island, NY. However, Petco only donates the space to show our cats. Valley Stream Cat Rescue is a separate entity. Therefore all decisions regarding rescue and adoption are the responsibility of VSCR.

WHY VALLEY STREAM CAT RESCUE WAS STARTED:

The president of VSCR was born and lived in Manhattan until she moved to Long Island. Living in Manhattan, it is difficult to realize the cat overpopulation problem. But once in the suburbs there was almost an immediate recognition of the problem with stray cats. She moved into an apartment complex with 50 un-neutered strays living on the property.

If you walked through the gardens, you were apt to trip over dead kittens. Having never even touched a cat, she realized there was a problem to be addressed and through lots of research and advice, she began trapping and neutering the cats on the property and never stopped until all 50 were no longer reproducing. In addition, she succeeded in finding homes for 21 kittens from the property.

Bear in mind, this is someone who knew nothing about cats or cat rescue. Within the first year of moving she found her first kitten that was to be her own - a beautiful six month old calico that was left behind when someone moved.

Since the kitten was safe and found to be healthy she made a promise to the powers that be to help abandoned or stray cats. She therefore founded Valley Stream Cat Rescue and the group is dedicated to Fuzzy who crossed the Rainbow Bridge March of 2001.

Kathie's kitties - past and present.