Little Wanderers NYC Inc

I fostered a cat from this org, he brutally attacked me which I captured on video and sent to them. I asked to let me return the cat as I couldn't have him in my house anymore. He was basically feral. They made me drive 2 hours out to new jersey to give him to an organizer who attempted to pressure me to trade him for two other feral cats. When I refused they got angry at me and yelled at me in front of my elderly parents.

Don't foster from this org, they are barely a real organization. Read the fine print, they don't give you any contract or actual promise to help. Once you get a cat, be prepared to keep it forever. They will not support you, they will use you to dump cats, especially problematic ones. Every person I've had to talk to in this org is weirdly sassy and hard to deal with. For a non profit org, they need to learn to some basic customer service skills. They are constantly stretched thin, but don't let them blame you because of there bad management.

-Noah

This is a top-notch volunteer organization from top to bottom. They work around the clock to achieve the best outcome for every rescued cat or kitten. They spend 90% of their donations on vet bills and have very little overhead, unlike national groups like the ASPCA (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aspca-spending-donor-cbs-news-investigation/). They also recently initiated an investigation into cat theft and dogfighting in the Bronx projects, which led to the arrest of one perpetrator. Their investigation was covered by the New York Post and went over the wires (covered by other media outlets (https://nypost.com/2024/04/24/us-news/cats-used-as-live-bait-to-train-ferocious-pitbulls-in-illegal-nyc-dogfighting-ring/). One of their co-founders also completed two tours of volunteer rescue duty in Ukraine, helping animals affected by the war.

Here are the reasons I gave them a very high grade:

They use their funds wisely
They care
They work hard
They mean well
They help thousands of cats and kittens a year and have attracted a large national audience on social media. They have also educated and informed hundreds of thousands of citizens, officials, and administrators on the issues affecting homeless felines.

Letter grade: A+

While LW’s volunteers work hard to care for community cats and injured/stray cats, the founder was convicted of embezzlement from Bronx Pride. I looked at their guidestar profile and they bring in almost 500k a year in donations yet NEVER post their vet bills online like most rescues do. They often post horrific photos of injured animals in their Instagram account to solicit donations and raise incredible amounts of money on the photos. My issue is if all the folks are volunteer, and they post no vet bills, where is the money going? The founder claims to live in NYC but lives in Florida. I feel like yeah they help animals but it is really the volunteers who help while the founders keep the money. So many fosters are left paying for everything or left high and dry and I really am appalled by their solicitations off the photos of disfigured injured animals. I’m happy the volunteers are caring and do good work but as a NYC rescuer, I am not convinced the money goes back in to their services.

I have been volunteering with this organization for the past 2 years, and I have seen Little Wanders volunteers rescue and home hundreds of cats. All of the people at Little Wanders are volunteers and work tirelessly to help any and all cats in need.

The best animal rescue for cats ever. thank them so much for what they do.

LWNYC rescues the sick and injured cats from the streets of New York’s most underserved communities, saving thousands of lives to date! They are fully staffed by volunteers, meaning every dollar raised goes directly to the animals in dire circumstances. Highly recommend!

I follow Little Wanderers and am so impressed with the number of cats that they rescue, and also treat if sick or seriously injured. Amazing group of caring and selfless volunteers who do so much for the vulnerable.

I have been a volunteer with LW for a long-time and what they do for the animal kingdom is amazing. No matter what the circumstances are helping fur babies in need comes first. Follow online and you will agree. The lives they have saved with dedicated volunteers giving their time and resources, they are truly heroes. Just an extraordinary rescue! They make the world a better place.

Thank you Little Wanderers NYC for my baby Simone. I don't know I'd do without her. Thank you for rescuing her from that dirt garage where she was freezing kitten. Everyone went above & beyond to get her to the doctor and better so she can live a real life where she is safe and loved.
I think of it every time she's here with me on my lap and it's warm and clean and safe. Thank you for my best friend!!!!

Little Wanderers is an exceptional group of people dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of at risk cats. We've brought several cats into our home through them and they've been wonderful to work with. They are thorough and ensure all rescues get the care they require and are going into good stable homes. Support them wholeheartedly!

Little Wanderers is an organization dedicated to rescuing the most neglected cats in NYC and the tri state area. As a volunteer, I have seen first hand the kind of cats we take in and the amount of care and love invested by everyone. If you ever have a few spare dollars, please consider donating to this lovely organization that does so much for these itty bitty furbabies!

I've adopted my cats through Little Wanderers and then became a volunteer. We serve the most underserved populations of cats in NYC and amazing to see the transformations!

Little wanderers is a fantastic group, im very happy to know them and do fostering for them, they help a tremendous amount of cats with all kinds of problems and needs

Little Wanders has helped me place over 20 rescue in safe loving homes! They are caring and thoughtful! Best place to find your forever cat!

Little wanderers has aided me in rescuing at least 10 cats. They have made house calls for medicine and always pull through to aid animal rescue, no questions asked. They have taught me so much and always been so kind, I owe them eternal gratitude.

Cannot say enough good things about the work this group does to help people and animals!!

Last year, after my two elderly cats passed away, I adopted two kittens from Little Wanderers nyc. They have brought me, my other cat, and my little dog great pleasure. I loved the spirit and organization of little wanderers, so I decided to become a volunteer. Everybody who works with the organization really cares about feral cats in and around New York city. They support feral cat colonies and fosters work with little kittens and other cats who were thrown out rather than being totally feral to make them adoptable. It's a work of love. I'm thrilled to be a part of Little Wonders NYC and to know all the wonderful people whom I've met through this organization.

I adopted 2 kittens from them during COVID. they were very responsive and thorough in the application process. They made sure I knew what the neuter and vaccine process was for the kittens since I adopted before they could be fixed. Little Wanderers NYC cares alot.

Little Wanderers helped find a home for my adorable rescue cat - taking him off the NYC streets and finding him a perfect home in Connecticut where he gets to spend his life in luxury. Their all-volunteer team works tirelessly to trap, vet, spay/neuter, find fosters and adopters, or TNR, everyday.

Little Wanderers has saved so many needy cats and kittens from horrible fates on the street. They truly find the best homes for these cats and dedicate so much time to caring for their fosters.

This non-profit is the most ridiculous, unprofessional organization that I feel bad for the cats. I have previously fostered cats where I have been given food and supplies and upon fostering through Little Wanderers, I was given absolutely nothing. I spent so much money on toys, food, beds, condos and everything to make the two kittens I was fostering have a great life. After volunteering my time and money to foster these kittens, I expressed interest in wanting to adopt them. The adoption process seemed more intense than adopting a child, which I appreciate how much they care, but the questions I was asked seemed far beyond the scope of adoption in addition to being demeaning. I understand cats are a responsibility, but to ask me numerous times as well as my references about my financial status when I can guarantee I am in a better financial standing than any of the volunteers. Then to ask personal questions that have no relevance to a cat. It is unfortunate that I was unable to give these cats a loving home due to the dysfunction and miscommunication on behalf of this poorly run organization. I only hope for the cats that they find a home and will not live in foster care for the rest of their lives. I feel sorry for the cats that are a part of this organization because the people running this organization are not capable yet they question my capability of giving two cats that were strays before I took them and gave them a great life.

I'm giving the org 3 stars because of the great work they do but they do not offer good customer service post adoption. They are very very difficult to reach. I adopted a 2-year old ginger & white DSH 3 months ago. She previously lived in 2 separate foster homes before I adopted her. Although she came out of hiding 4 weeks later, she is a "don't touch me" cat and I need help in getting her to not be skittish and non-trusting. I live alone, previously lost a 15-year old (had her from 6-8 weeks old) to illness so it's not my first experience in having a cat.It is my first experience with feral cats. I sought a new kitty 2 years later for emotional support and I don't think this cat will be able to do so even in the future. If you don't have experience with feral cats, adopt a kitten instead.

I can’t say enough great things about this organization! Courtney has volunteered her time to rescue multiple cats and find them homes that I have found abandoned or homeless where I work in Harlem. The organization also sent out another volunteer to rescue and entire liter that was born in a car at my work. Please help this organization and the helpless animals that they are devoted to getting homes and medical attention, which takes a lot of time and money. Thank you so much for helping and volunteering your time to help all the animals that can’t help themselves!

Little Wanderer's is beyond awesome. The compassion they have for animals and the rescue work they do to save lives is extrordinary! They take on the tough situations in the harshest conditions to save a kitties life and get them the help they need and on to a new life. Love Little Wanderer's

Little Wanderers had added so much joy to my family and especially to my nephew. We adopted a beautiful tuxedo cat from Little Wanderers and they helped to make sure that everything and everyone was happy.
I highly recommend this nonprofit organization!

This rescue is wonderful. They do such an amazing g job saving cats and nothing will stop them to do so. I have personally witnessed how incredibly selfless the rescuers are and the beautiful lives they have saved.

There are so many rescue organizations out there, and the need for that alone is heartbreaking, but Little Wanderers is, to my mind, the most heartwrenching of the rescue organizations I know of. Their dedication, work and personal sacrifices are absolutely amazing. What other non-profit organizations do you know of where members are willing to wallow in wet trash and garbage, in the worst kind of weather, sometimes enduring the wrath or criticism of onlookers, in order to rescue these unfortunate, needy sentient beings? I read their instagram posts and usually stop at the point of tears. At the same time, though, their triumphs and successes have (somewhat) restored my faith in humanity. They are a mind-boggling operation, proof that there genuinely kind-hearted people still walk among us.

Little Wanderers are angels on earth for New York's most vulnerable kitties: trapping, neutering, vetting and finding loving homes with their network of devoted volunteers, followers and fosters. Follow them on insta and fb to see miracles in action!
I first met Courtney years ago when I posted for help for a freezing starving cat in a parking lot in Inwood. She raced over that night and trapped him, getting him to safety. I later adopted him and he is the love of my life ❤������ Thank you Little Wanderers!

Firsthand experience of how wonderful and dedicated little wanderers is! They go above and beyond any other rescue to help the neediest of animals. Forever grateful for the work they do and honored to volunteer with them

I can’t say enough how wonderful Little Wanderers is. You could not ask for a more caring group of people, and they do the hardest rescue work on the ground in the NYC streets. So many sick cats and kittens have found new life thanks to these heroes, and now live it up in their forever homes. Thousands of cats rescued so far, and many, many still to come.

All the cats are in loving foster homes and have full veterinary care. All adopters know exactly what services their cat/kittens have had and receive medical records upon adoption. Great rescue!

Little Wanderers often, as evidenced on their social media, carries out their recue work to completion. They respond to notices and requests regarding cats in need of help. They rescue, assess, find fosters and placement, support the vetting, etc. for so many needy cats. They also participate in adoption events for the rescued and rehabilitated cats. Little Wanderers relies heavily on volunteers to carry out and fund their good work. They do an amazing job, and are doing important work for the community they serve.

If I could leave 0 stars, I wouldn’t miss a beat to do so. Super shady — shady, shady, shady practices spelled all over Little Wanderers. Long story short, I was asked to foster a female cat who was unvaccinated and unspayed, even after I had clearly explained I was concerned about my resident cat coming into contact with the new arrival. To say the least, they didn’t really care and proceeded to make me feel bad for not wanting to foster this new cat. They rushed me through the entire foster process and once I had started explaining to them that this new foster couldn’t simply live with us anymore after only five days, for she had attacked me and my partner, including my resident cat, I was completely gaslit, threatened to be “blacklisted” all over NYC (total lie because I was able to get another cat with NO problems shortly after) and left with a totally traumatizing fostering experience. Upon returning the foster to one of their rude and inconsiderate Rescuerers because I couldn’t keep her any longer due to me feeling unsafe and stressed in my own home, I was told that I was completely inconsiderate and unreasonable when in reality, I had been in communication with them EVERY STEP OF THE WAY rather than the other way around. If you prefer to foster and eventually adopt from a reputable agency, please save yourself the time, stress and money by going elsewhere. Funny thing is that I had actually adopted my resident cat from this same agency prior to this nightmare foster experience thinking it would be even better this time, but it really wasn’t. I have regrets but now I’m happy and proud to say that I have two healthy cats in my home, despite their disgusting threats stating otherwise. They simply don’t care about the cats they rescue and will LIE and state that their cats are being kept in good and HUMANE conditions, when the Rescuerer in question could barely keep the cats she had safely in her home. PLEASE BEWARE!

AWFUL customer service. This rescue is absolutely ridiculous and SO unprofessional. Don’t waste your time trying to adopt from here, they won’t even answer your emails, texts or DMs. No way to get ahold of anyone to even talk too.

They leave no kitten behind on the mean streets of NYC. I follow their website and videos of the rescues they save. Each life is transformed by their going above and beyond to find homes and happiness for these deserving felines.

Little Wanderers NYC is simply one of the best rescue groups in NYC and possibly the entire country. That they manage to save and bring healing to each and every cat that comes to their attention is simply miraculous. This is a group of volunteers, each with full time jobs and families of their own, who will drop anything and everything to respond to a call for help. I've always thought groups like this should be emulated for their dedication, efficiency and their total respect for each life that's entrusted upon them. If I was a homeless cat in one of the poorest areas in a huge and unforgiving city, I want Little Wanderers NYC to come to my rescue.

This is an amazing group of cat lovers that NEVER give up and somehow never seem to get overwhelmed by the constant stream of kitties that need help in NYC. I have seen them take on even the most difficult rescues and they always get it done. .. I honestly don't know how they do it. I am a monthly donor and have fostered a couple of 5 week old kittens for them which I was thrilled to be able to do. Those babies now have a loving forever home that was only possible thanks to Little Wanderers. This group deserves to be recognized and rewarded for the incredible work they do!!

I am so impressed by the work of this all volunteer organization. They work tirelessly to rescue, foster and find forever homes for kittens and cats, often incurring huge medical expenses.

A 5 Star designation is described as ''Far exceeds expectations" and I couldn't
have said it any better than that. The volunteers with Little Wanderers NYC Inc
are tireless and relentless in their quest to save the homeless cats and kittens
in the city. Doesn't matter what time of day or night, how dangerous the situation
for both cats and humans, they are there every day and every night.

I have watched Little Wanderers NYC tirelessly go and rescue some of the hardest cases out there when others won’t. They give every little being that is willing to fight a chance. This organization is worthy of your support. They do good work and NYC is so lucky to have them.

Little wanderers found me on Instagram when I was posting pictures of my cats. Little did I know they would change my life 2 years later when I lost both my cats. I saw a kitten, sent my application in and 5 days later she was in my home. She seemed so lonesome when I went to work I had to get her a buddy, and along came Oliver. I have to say, the LW community is very special. I have formed bonds with many people involved and they are very special caring people. My life is immeasurably better because of the tireless work and sacrifices of LW. I cannot say enough about them. They are the best.

Little Wanderers is such an incredible organization with there dedication to animals in the toughest most challenging areas of New York. They take on the most challenging and dire cases of cats and they are a voice to the voiceless. Their commitment is unmatched even in an uphill battle. They deserve to be recognized for the unrelenting desire to help. THEY ARE HEROS!

I have so many amazing stories of sending Little Wanderers urgent and direly critical cats/kittens in need and every time they respond and step up to save these suffering fur babies. They have never said no 24/7. My dear friend adopted her fur baby from them. They truly are angels and it is not an easy thing to do but they do it and put them into loving, caring homes. Many stories of suffering to joy. A true rescue team helping animals always.

Little Wanderers works tirelessly to save the neediest cats in NYC. I’ve been fostering with them for several months and their continued efforts on saving as many cats as possible warms my heart. The staff are very communicative and informative. They work on pairing suitable matches for cats to be fostered and adopted. When fostering for Little Wanderers it feels like we’re all part of one big cat family, where we all share the same determination and love for all these sweet fur babies. We need more rescues like this, where every single cat matters, regardless of how difficult their situation may seem.

I have rescued cats and have worked with Little Wanderers as a foster. They help save poor kitties in underserved areas and give them the chance at a better life. I helped save Max who had upper respiratory and eye infections. We thought he wouldn’t see but he thrived thanks to Little Wanderers. And he is with his forever Mom who adores him. We helped Annabelle who was a little timid but she was placed also through LW into a great home and gets lots of love. We also helped foster Ian and Izzy - they were a handful but they were saved from living in a Bronx garage and were adopted together. LW helps save the kittens and also helps humans by bringing love to their home.

I had the wonderful experience of helping LWNYC find a sick cat in Queens Village. I had seen the story on FB and, because I knew area, I went over and searched for over and hour. I finally found him and right then one of LWNYC premier trappers, Ann Furey, drove up. I stayed and helped Ann rescue Queenie. It was a wonderful experience. This organization is made up of very devoted cat lovers who rescue so many kittens and cats from a horrible life on the streets. I donate monthly to their cause. They are wonderful!!

Little Wanderers NYC is a group of dedicated, loving, and tireless volunteer advocates who rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of cats (and other animals) at all times of the day and night and week. They are literally heroes and angels to our fur babies.

Responsive, kind and generous volunteers. I am in awe of them!

Awesome charity they go above and beyond With any cat that they can help.. angels

Wonderful rescue to deal with. Saw a video of a kitten I was interested in. Received quick response to my questions. Very easy to arrange bringing our new family member home. Stayed in touch after adoption. Have my amazing “daughter “ almost 4 years now. Have continued to donate regularly because of the wonderful work they do rescuing.

I went to an adoption event sponsored by Little Wanderers. The volunteers were extremely friendly and approachable. I then began to keep up to date on all the amazing cat rescues they do on a daily basis. They are always responding to the most dire cases, even though they must be the most emotionally difficult to handle. There are many organizations out that are constantly asking for money, are completely unresponsive to the community, and do little but hold charity balls for their cause. Little Wanderers NYC is a hardworking group of true animal lovers who have integrity and passion for what they do.

I have only been following Little Wanderers on Instagram for about a year but I am beyond impressed with the degree of committment, care and love they have for the forgotten and abondoned fur-babies. I have seen so many rescues they have done and efforts to save every furry life. They find cats in the worst of circumstances and they try everything they can to save, treat and house them. I have written them to donate supplies and food and always receive a rapid response. They are the glue connecting a comunity of folks who care and support their efforts when they can. They conencted me three times to foster fur-moms so I could send supplies and pass along food. Not once have they asked for money in these exchanges. They work from their hearts. No one is paying them to do this. I only wish there were more of them so the few that they don't become exhausted burnt out. Sadly, New York City is filled with people who heartlessly toss these living creatures to the side, even pregnant ones. Little-wanderers works very hard to save every little defenseless life they can. I donate whenever possible, but I hope others learn about them and are as impressed as I am, so they can donate as well. It takes a village and they can't do it alone.

Little Wanderers are one of my favorite TNR-based cat rescues. They intentionally focus on underserved areas of NYC, ensuring cats who would otherwise get passed over are given a chance. The admins and management are legitimately candid regarding total sums of donations received, totals billed for specific cats’ care, locations cats are picked up or vetted, and so on. They do not try to hide anything from their fans and donors. This level of disclosure creates mutual trust between us, their followers, and them, those working hard on the front lines. Their honesty and dedication is unparalleled. They never give up. I admire everything this organization does, truly.

In their description on Instagram they say they rescue the neediest cats in the toughest areas of NYC and it's true! They are persistent in answering the call when others let them know about cats and kittens who are struggling with illnesses, injuries, or hunger. They get medical attention, place them in foster homes, and then look for forever homes for these homeless cats. In their "spare" time they TNR (trap, neuter, release) cats to help reduce overpopulation. Little Wanderers is made of dedicated volunteers who love helping animals who have no where to turn. They are truly angels.

Little Wanderers is the most admirable community of people. They serve the most vulnerable areas of NYC and care fo every cat they can, even the cases that others would turn away or give up on. Even as a follower of their actions it is hard to understate how meaningful their actions are and how much they do for cats!

I love there work! They never stop saving lives! They don't care about the weather or place! They just keep going to save life's of homeless animals! I follow them on Facebook! They are the best!!

I was following Little Wanderers NYC on Facebook. My older cat had recently lost his sibling. I could see how lonely he was. He’s a super social sweet tempered cat and I thought we could foster. We could foster and see how it went and if it didn’t work out we would make sure that this cat whoever it was wound up in a really good home but we could be a port in the storm for a cat. Then we saw a video of this scrawny little cat, who was clearly injured. That was the cat we could help. It was right before Thanksgiving. He had bilateral hip surgery – all taken care of by Little Wanderers. But such a sweet little cat. He slid right into our home and became our family. Several months later we foster failed again. Now I have three cats. Two young ones and my sweet older cat . Little Wanderers created our family.

I'm in Kelowna, B.C., Canada. I follow many hundreds of rescues including LWNYC. I once saw a woman asking for help in a Long Island forum for a very sick cat in Queens. I hooked her up with LWNYC and contacted them myself at the same time.
They were happy to assist without hesitation.
I'm always blown away by how many emergency situations they deal with sometimes daily! I'm in rescue myself and find them to be miraculous. Excellent source of supportice volunteers, and the power of amazing social media skills.
They can rescue like I've never seen before.
Spectacular rescue.

I've seen the work of Little Wanderers first-hand. It is humbling. They go where many others will not to help animals in need, from drug-infested parks to a abandoned lots, buildings, garbage piles, busy streets ... truly anywhere. And in all kinds of weather and circumstances. They put a solid plan together and make things happen to the benefit of sentient beings. If an animal is too sick or injured to be saved, they don't let it die alone. They show it love and dignity. They have proven time and again that they are dedicated and reliable. The example and bar they have set as to how a society should deal with the animal overpopulation problem is the highest. The are out in the field all the time... getting out there to rescue, trap-neuter-return or to investigate before an animal finds itself in an at-risk situation in a public shelter. They are not a band-aid, they are the solution, and merit the very strongest level of support.

Before following Little Wanderers on Instagram i didnt know anything about rescuing and fostering. I myself brought a kitten home from the streets of pitouresque Paros in Greece. I found that starving baby boy on my first of 28days of holidays, starving, blue-eyed and crusty-nosed. Everyone looked away, took photos, as he was cute as hell and then went on for their dinner in the harbour. I smuggled the little boy from hotel to hotel, bought him a businessclassticket, got chip, papers and vaccinations while my friends couldnt understand why i spoil my holiday planning the day around that sick kitten. I felt so alone and misunderstood. It was just that i was back in Germany aswell, disappointed by the carelessness of the vet regarding his cold that i stumbled upon LITTLE WANDERES. it brought tears to my eyes to see that out there, in the middle of hectic, mercyless, industrial NYC are people volunteering to surrender themselves to help helpless souls like my little kitten. It was totally new to me, how far they would go, how much love and consideration they give, how unstoppable they rush to any rescue no matter how hopeless it looks to an average cold heart. I learned so much from them, i gained so much trust and confidence that its always the right thing to help and that this is my true calling aswell to help animals, to save cats. I lost my fear of bad looking eyes, terrible injuries, labels like FIV or whatever. I would never shy away from any animal that needs me and this inspiration comes from LITTLE WANDERERS alone, who make miracles come true. Even the darkest stories very often have happy endings. Nothing is ever too much for them.There is never a question if IT IS WORTH IT? it always is...i love Little Wanderers. The tips in my restaurant are often used to support them.

I started following Little Wanderers NYC by accident on Instagram. They are doing an amazing job and never ever give up to rescue any cat in need. They also support a veteran and his little dog. Sometimes I don't know how they keep going because they see so much sad and bad things but they do. They always keep on going. They never stop. That's why I really love this group. Oh and by the way they gave one cat the same name like my first name :)

I adopted my kitty Hudson (formerly Cinnamon) from Little Wanderers last December and I absolutely love him. If it wasn't for Little Wanderers he'd most likely still be suffering on the streets in the Bronx where they found him. He was vetted, fostered and then we adopted him. They do sooooo much for the abandoned, wounded and sick to make sure they get treatment and find homes. I follow them on Instagram and facebook and their rescue efforts are never ending.