I've supported this organization in the past but after the last interaction with them-never again. Rude and condescending, rather close to the gawker post.
It is amazing how abusive people are when they come to a rescue but do not get whatever they want! We are an all-volunteer group trying to make the world a better place. Yet, when the nasty minority hears anything they dislike, they feel free to post insulting vile lies online. This really just shows them to be what they are! For the record, when you abuse animals or imperil animals or disregard the welfare of an animal because of your own selfishness, do NOT come to an animal welfare group and expect to get a pat on the back!
Ten years ago I adopted a wonderful cat from these guys, but my life situation became very complicated. I tried sorting things out for myself, but when that fell through, I contacted NYC Siamese for help. They were very kind and supportive, and helped me resolve my kitty dilemma in the best interests of all concerned.
Two of my cats were adopted from this group, and they do really good work! They are completely honest - to a fault! - in explaining the ups and downs of each possible kitty combination. It is very clear that they are NOT the type of group that dumps a cat on you and then refuses to respond to problems. They walked me through the adjustment and directed me toward embarrassingly simple solutions. Better my pride be hurt than my rug! Anyway, we have two cats who are intensely affectionate not only with people but each other. It is a beautiful thing to see! and it would not have been possible without the wonderful volunteers at NYC Siamese Rescue!
I was in desperate straits at risk of having to abandon my cat at the pound because I was between apartments, and this was the ONLY rescue group who responded to my pleas for assistance. They helped me find a safe space for Hasbro until I could bring him back home, and I was amazed how easy it was in the end. Thank you for saving Hasbro's life and my mind!
We adopted our precious pair from these fantastic folks last summer, and we cannot say enough positive things about this organization (or our cats!). They were professional and responsive, and never pressured us into taking any animal before we were comfortable. It actually took a month to decide, and they were incredibly patient. Every question solicited a complete, thoughtful, and thorough response. It was clear that they were not just about pushing out cats; they wanted to do right by our family. Everything they said turned out to be true, so we were spared any unhappy surprises. They had a video of one of our cats, showing him to be exactly as he turned out to be!
I came to these guys for a cat who would get along with my dog, and they sent me pictures and videos of cats they had curled up with dogs! I loved the one of the black chow with the flamepoint nestled down in her fur! They gave me great tips on how to introducing Pudding to my Riley, and I faithfully followed all the steps. Both the pup and the kit did great, with nary a scratched nose nor any fur flying. This is a great group who does good work.
This group gave very wise advice, which I unfortunately ignored! They recommended that I adopt a cat similar in age to my old guy, but I wanted a kitten. Well, I got a kitten from another place which did not care about my senior cat, and now, two months later, my older cat has stopped eating and looks like he is dying. At first, after a couple of hisses, Garfunkel tried to keep up with Peewee in playing, but it seems it was too much for the old fellow. I've separated them, but the vet says Garfunkel's bloodwork indicates he not only has kidney disease, but it is very advanced with few options. Anyway, I was pretty rude to this rescue when they tried to protect my Garfunkel -- who they had never even met! -- and, as an apology, I did not want to post that this rescue will tell you the truth, not just whatever you want to hear or whatever will place a cat. On behalf of my cat, please give their advice credence. Thanks!
We got our Siamese from these folks 8 years ago and we could not be happier! They were so supportive and knowledgeable, not only did they ensure we understood what we were in for, they remained a wonderful resource for us over the years. We were shocked when we walked in with a food donation -- our cat is on a special diet now -- and they not only remember us but who we adopted. They were very welcoming and excited to hear how our wonderful kitty was doing!
They might care about Siamese Cats but they clearly have no common sense - otherwise they wouldn't treat people wanting or asking for help like complete idiots! They send negative emails in upper case calling them 'Cat Killers' - they take no time in explaining the situation, educating the public at all. They continue to send emails months after the issue is laid to rest. I would never bother to waste my time donating to this charity - I think they are just a fraud! The following is the response I received after I asked if they could help a couple of Siamese Cats on death row -
"Do NOT waste ANY rescue's time by asking anything without providing your DONATION receipt. Doing so means MICHELLE JIMMO KILLS CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
NO education on the process, no formal request for monetary assistance - just screaming and yelling! After some quick research online I see many other people have had similar experiences.
Please spare yourself the frustration and DO NOT contact this so called Rescue. I too received a barrage of insulting emails. The person who runs their site and answers their emails is obviously mentally deranged. I attempted to contact NYC Siamese Rescue to inform them of the abusive emails I received but was unable to reach anyone but Liam...the abuser. Do the research, there are dozens of complaints about this organization online.
These guys are the BEST! I could not believe how nice they were to help me with my feline trouble, even though I did not even get my cat from them. They answered every one of my questions -- even the dumb ones! -- with great sensitivity. Now I finally understand what my vet was trying to tell me, and I have some ways to manage things until my cat is better.
Incredibly helpful, polite, and cheerful folk doing a tough job! I have visited this group many times, and their volunteers are incredibly upbeat and welcoming. They are all-volunteer, so they give freely of their time both for the animals and to educate the public. It is in trying to enlighten people which causes the complaints, as some never want to hear anything different than what they think they want.
It just amazes me that people will rudely complain about this group answering their questions! It is a shame that those selfish few would rather hurt this charity than invest a bit of themselves in learning about cats or how to love selflessly.
Wonderful and friendly folks who do great things for both animals and people! They responded so quickly and with complete, accurate information which saved me a lot of headaches. I could not believe how much they helped me with my cat problems -- more than my vet or even friends who claimed to be cat-savvy.
Of course, this is a group for people who love animals. Selfish and disrespectful folks are dismissed in kind, but that is only right! It is amazing how complainants want to abuse a group when they do not get what they want when they want it, even when it is bad for themselves or the cat!
Professional, COURTEOUS, responsive, informative, patient, helpful -- I just cannot say enough good things about this group! I contacted them about a cat I saw online, and I asked them a question which I know now was incredibly foolish, but they took the time to explain why it did not make sense, and gave me links where I could learn more.
I guess some folks here object to this group's honesty, and the complainers just want what they want even though it is bad for both the cat and themselves. It is amazing that the whiners take the time to complain about a wonderful group rather than investing a tiny bit of effort on research or volunteering so they can see for themselves. The naysayers' comments say more about themselves than this group!
I tried to contact the business in regards to a pet found online. The person who replied was rude, unprofessional and insulting.
Review from Guidestar
I applied to adopt from this group, and I was impressed by the courteous treatment and quick response to my submission. Moreover, I was astounded at the amount of time they afforded me to patiently educated me as a new cat owner-to-be, both about cats in general and Siamese in particular. They even sent me copies of the cat's vaccination and medical records before I came in, and answered all my questions on them, including the ones I forgot to ask!
I decided to get a cat from another group, and that is when I was REALLY impressed with how organized and accommodating NYC Siamese Rescue is! Like night and day! The level of commitment these volunteers show would make any for profit corporation jealous, let alone another charity.
They are a great group! And their volunteers are friendly and pleasant, making the process fun. I hated to leave....
I adopted from this group 10 years ago, and was very happy with their process and my new cat! Recently, I ran into problems managing the cat and my new baby, so I reached out to the rescue again. Their patient advice helped us try different solutions, but ultimately nothing completely resolved our issues. We were shocked that NYC Siamese Rescue then offered to take the cat back to rehome! They did not even ask us for a donation, but we chose to send them one later on.
Giving up our cat was traumatic for us and a very difficult day for our family. Our apartment is very quiet (good and bad), and we of course miss our kitty terribly. I just wanted to express how grateful we are that NYC Siamese Rescue was able to take him back under these difficult circumstances, to find him a wonderful new home.
I volunteer for this group and they do a wonderful job with their animals, which are beautifully kept and obviously well-cared-for! Yes, they turn away terrible homes like the complainers below -- but that is a great thing for anyone who cares about animals!
NYC Siamese Rescue also invests countless hours in educating the public on how to solve feline troubles to keep their cat, or how to find a cat appropriate for their home. Sure, some selfish people only care about getting what they want when they want it, even to the detriment of the pets. This organization shows great conviction in protecting potential adopters from themselves! Obviously, some naysayers prefer their ignorance. Pity!
This is a stunning singularity as so many groups really are just looking to get rid of animals as quickly as possible. That is why all its volunteers have gravitated to NYC Siamese Rescue from other, less discerning organizations.
Thank heavens for Liam and LJ !!! I emailed every rescue in the tristate area, and NOT ONE of them answered me. I was despearate to find a new home for my cats because I could not keep them anymore. Of course, I was hoping -- no doubt like the commenters below! -- that I could just drop my problem on them and run, but both Liam and LJ took the time to explain all possible options and what would actually be easiest for me and best for my cats. I cannot thank them enough for encouraging me to pursue a solution that I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT OF!!!! God bless Liam and LJ !!!!!! My cats thank you both as well !!
I was very disappointed when Liam told me that preschoolers were too young for kittens, but THANK GOODNESS!! I just read this article and I must give kudos to the mom to brave criticism to share her story! I am certain this would normslly be a family secret and never an admission:
Kitten killed by four year old girl sitting on it:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/1iw0rw/my_daughter_4_killed_our_kitten/
When Liam advised me my children were too young, I did not blame him -- I just asked him for more information, which he provided in full, and saved my family from a potentially traumatic experience! Here are some of the links he shared with me:
Do not get a pet before your baby is 8 years old from Babycenter:
http://www.babycenter.com/404_whens-the-best-time-to-get-a-pet_1393924.bc
Wait until your child is 10 years old before a cat:
http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/pet-kids.html
We recently adopted a pair of kittens from Siamese Rescue, and we were incredibly impressed at how honest they were with us. It was obvious that their first concern was the welfare of their animals but they also went above and beyond to make sure we knew we were making an informed decision and that we were completely THRILLED with our kitties! Liam was COMPLETELY PROFESSIONAL, so these other posters must have asked for something harmful to the animals. From the stories I heard, there are soe really self-centered and ignorant people out there.
We are so very grateful to all the volunteers at NYC Siamese Rescue for the work you did to save them and show them that a life with humans is okay....please know that we will strive everyday to continue your good works and provide them a safe, enriching and loving home - forever!!
I had a similiar experience with Liam! I was shocked with his response to my inquiry. I've rescued pets my entire life and have NEVER encountered this behavior.
Here is his response to my question:
"Most childhood authorities recommend waiting until your youngest is 7 or 9 years old before acquiring a family pet. Until then, practice pet handling with your children by visiting gentle pets of friends when you can directly supervise without needing to look away, as you would at home.
It is inappropriate to expect a preschool child to always remember to treat an animal differently than a toy. Such young children should be in a childsafe environment where their play will not injure or kill an animal. It is particularly awful of you to seek a kitten, as they are delicate and have often been crushed or hugged to death by small children."
Liam
Liam, is the person I dealt with with NYC Siamese REscue. This is from her las email 'Very good, Cecelia, and I suggest that you advertize that you are an inappropriate parent with poor judgement.'. She insulted me and turned me away, using all kinds of diminishing and offensive adjectives. I'm sure there is a money incentive behind keeping this website live, they might be tired of people trying to adopt and have to turn them away but keep the organization open to receive donations.
This is awful, my sons and I were very much looking forward to adopting a cat name Sunshine..we'll look else were of course.
I had the same experience as the other two posters. The person answering the nycsiameserescue@yahoo.com email was incredibly rude, condescending, and hateful. He didn't sign his name a job title, just as Liam. I'm worried about the cats. This person drives potential adopters away with his mean and insensitive words. Please don't waste your time or money with this shelter. The gawker article about this place is spot on. I didn't think it was real because the belligerence Liam showed in his emails were really over the top. But being on the receiving end of one, like the other two posters, I can attest it's true. They were also not forthcoming with providing proof of vaccination and the pets being spayed. The whole experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
Evidently, by the review above, I today and yesterday had the same terrible response from this organization. I sent an e-mail and inquired about two male cats and made the mistake of asking a question regarding that one of the males was a beautiful seal point and the other was pure black with a white spot on his chest. The response I received from a person by the name of Liam was astonishing, condescending and hurtful. I responded with the same type of response of the lady above in that you are supposed to be an organization to help cats and humans find companionship...not tell them "because of your ignorance you should get out and read more"....good Lord I just asked a question. Never in all my years have a dealt with an organization whose employees would even think of talking to someone they don't even know like this. He proceeded to lecture me on my deficits...the man doesn't even know me...and I finally gave up. Needless to say, I'll make every effort to find another rescue group to find my new member(s) of my family.
Stay away, stay away from these people for sure.
I reached out to this organization as a fellow rescuer to ask for help in finding a foster for a siamese mix I had rescued off the street. At first, my interation with L.J. was great and she seemed more than willing to assist which I was grateful for! Then I asked her to call me which she didn't want to do, fair enough. I emailed my questions to her, which apparently according to her should have been in my initial email and that is when the verbal assault began! I have a full chain of emails as well as my responses where she verbally attacked me in every way possible and decided to "spite" me by not helping the poor cat!!!! A quick google search uncovered that this is NOT the first time she has done this! This woman will be the demise of this organization and leads me to seriously wonder how much they are "helping" the cats!