I've been feeding strays at my house for 3+ years. No rescue/organization was able to help take them or help me with reduced cost spay/neuter. I happened across STAR on facebook. They had posted about a TNR they were working on in my neighborhood. I asked if they could help me and they said "Yes!" You have no idea how thrilled I was to hear that. So far they have helped with 6 of my furbabies (3 females!) One of the females was new to the colony and I ended up taking her in. I'm amazed at how much they have accomplished this year for such a small organization. I'm thrilled to help them with donations to help further this much needed cause.
This rescue has folded without any notice to the community it serves. They have taken down their website along with their Facebook page. Attempts from the Better Business Bureau to get a hold of them was not successful.
They were using Pet Smart's phone number as their contact without permission from them. No one knows what happened to them or where their assets (if they had any) went. Other rescues have been taking phone calls from the public looking for them . They were part of Pet Smart Charities and stopped showing up and yet still collected money from them. Pet Smart has now been informed.
Shame on them for not having the decency to at least inform the public that they were no longer in service. Other rescues have folded but have let the public know. It's always sad to see hard working individuals who meant well go down. To be so inconsiderate not to inform the public does this group of however well-intended people a disservice as well as their community. Their Board of Directors should have known better.
I had been trying to get close to a big feral male cat in my neighborhood for a long time. He disappeared for months, but around the same time he returned, another neighbor had managed to catch three other ferals which he surrendered to Animal Care Council. In those cases, the ACC does not return the cats to the area in which they were caught. I do not think that is safe for the cats, so I was stuck. I could not afford the $60 so-called "low cost" neuter they offered in order to have the cat returned to me. Then someone there told me about STAR, and, within a week or two I managed to catch him. A couple of days later he was all set to come "home." Free. ...though I hope to pay them something, and/or do something for the group. What a relief knowing that this guy is not out there fathering more feral kittens! (The star system is odd....can't really say they "far" exceeded my expectations, because I had none, I knew nothing about them, but I can certainly say they were more than I had hoped to find in my area!)
this is a great asset to our community. i find it is a perfect way to support and give back and make a difference
Great organization with kind, smart leadership. Community minded and glad to work with volunteers from around the area. We've been happy to work with S.T.A.R. as a foster family for kittens.
Our family had been looking for a cat after the death of our beloved kitty Maddy last May. Since we already had a chihuahua puppy it was a little hard finding a match. All the staff at the Southern Tier Animal Rescue Network were so very nice and helpful. I can't say enough how they helped us and found us the perfect match for our home. These volunteers work endlessly helping strays and fostering unwanted and injured animals. The caring is evident and they are so very passionate about their work. I would recommend their services to anybody. Please help them continue the fantastic services they are doing for our community.
At first I wasn't sure about TNR. Or fostering cats, kittens etc. 1st, TNR - trap, neuter/ spade/ release. What a FANTASTIC IDEA, the Farrell cats get a free meals, trapped ( covered so not to traumatized them) kept in a safe place till its time to go to vets, when called we pick up and again take to a safe place. Next day they are release back to where they were trapped. I have been a part of this a couple of times, and I cannot say enough: what a good job they do, and how they care for the cats. And how much the community needs this. Everyone volunteers their time, all for the love of the animals. 2- fostering has been wonderful as well. We have cat for a few months, that is just starting to play, and it's great watching him get comfortable with us. GREAT ORGANIZATION, great caring people.
Southern Tier Animal Rescue Network (S.T.A.R-Network) provides desperately needed Trap-Neuter-Release services to the Southern Tier region of Upstate New York. As a volunteer, and also as a citizen of the area, I've experienced the dedication and drive that allows S.T.A.R. to operate their trap and return projects in various neighborhoods.
The staff are committed to being transparent about the way the charity operates, and the service they provide to Binghamton and the surrounding areas will ensure that many colonies of cats will live a healthier, less-destructive and reproduction-free life.
I have assisted with the care of kittens that were less than 1 week old and I currently foster a surrendered cat. Everyone who is a part of this rescue is professional and knowledgeable, and I've learned more than I ever expected to.
We found two very small kittens late in the evening without knowing what to do for them. We got in touch with STAR and they ushered us quickly into action, bringing the kittens to one of their homes where they then were taken to a vet. They quickly set up fostering for the kittens and nursed them to full health for adoption, keeping us informed of their status every step of the way.
In 2013, we adopted a local stray who had adopted us two months earlier. A week later, a cat who must have been her sister started coming around, just as sweet and hungry. We kept an eye on her and fed her regular, waiting for the sign that she might like a forever home. Just before the first winter storm, I shared on FB that we didn’t know what to do for her because we couldn’t take her in and were worried she was too sweetly tempered to survive the winter. A member of STAR, who was a friend of mine, contacted me and said they could take her and get her vetted and try to find her a home. I had her in an animal carrier within ten minutes and they picked her up on their way home from work that night! Happily, she was given a clean bill of health and found a forever family within the week! We even got to see a photo of Morgaine in her new home.
It is so wonderful and so important to have a resource for helping the animals who want to be helped. We love the new Trap/Neuter/Release program they have implemented. It gives us hope that the future may bring fewer strays to our door.
As a board member I might be a bit biased. STAR Network had a slow start but in the last year has made a concerted effort to reorganize itself into a Network that is focused on problem solving on a local level. Animal welfare is something that drives people with big hearts and it is very easy - especially as a fostering and adoption network - to get overwhelmed.
Instead of focusing on just one aspect of animal welfare, STAR Network takes a multipronged approach. Education, Rehabilitation, Spay/Neuter income assistance, and of course our pilot program for Trap-Neuter-Return. Solving the seemingly endless crisis-like numbers of animals who need immediate care in overwhelmed shelters and rescues isn't going to be done by building another shelter but needs to be rooted in a number of solutions both instant and long term.
We have a long way to go as a Network or I would happily give STAR Network 5 stars, but it definitely exceeds expectations. We are still working on managing our resources effectively and working with the volunteers we have versus the numbers we need. Like any other volunteer organization, we could always use more, but I think that managing the focus and avoiding mission drift will help further hone the message and skillset provided to the community.
I don't buy pets; I save them. Adopting our last fur-baby from this group was the best experience yet. The facility/group was clean, caring and organized. I'm so grateful they go to the lengths they do to make sure the kitties find a good home and not some random and potentially unsafe environment. Of all of our adoptions, this was by far the best. I've very thankful to have our Blu. They do selfless work, for all the right reasons...it's all about the animals, as it should be! THANK YOU! >^..^
Caring, dedicated, and compassionate describe the people involved with STAR! We adopted two cats from them and were so happy with the process, that we went back and adopted a third! The organization is run by the many who volunteer their time to help any animal that passes through their doors. I would highly recommend STAR to anyone looking to adopt a loving animal.
I've known the some of the people involved with STAR for nearly 40 years and I can attest to their commitment and expertise when it comes to finding homes for unwanted animals. They successfully fill a needed position in the Triple Cities community.
This organization helped my family in a sad time of need as we had to place my brother's cats after his death. The compassion and diligence that was extended to us by this organization was notable and above anything I could imagine. It took some time, but they fostered the pets and kept me appraised of their progress-- with photos of them going to their new forever home. Thank you.
Our family recently adopted a kitten from Southern Tier Animal Rescue Network. We had "rescued" before, but never adopted through a rescue organization. The adoption coordinator was very helpful in explaining the process & she was easy to reach & quick to reply to our questions. We felt very fortunate to be able to meet his amazing foster family, who had done a wonderful job socializing our little guy along with his siblings. It was heartwarming to see the love he was given even before he found his "forever home" with us. When we picked him up we were given a folder containing complete documentation of his shots/tests, along with lots of other helpful information.
We love our purring little bundle of energy and are going to enjoy spoiling him for many, many years.
This rescue is incredible; from the woman who runs it, to the quality of care and follow up they do on the animals they adopt out, southern tier animal rescue helped me find the perfect animal. Not only that, but they continue to follow up on my lil fluff ball over two and a half years later. It is clear that this is an agency that is passionate about what they do and the animals and families they serve. I'd recommend them without hesitation to a person looking for a furry friend.
The adoptions director is fantastic at this position. Her desire is to find loving and safe homes for all the deserving animals and her boundless energy in this pursuit amazes me and I'm sure many others. I have two wonderful rescue cats that she matched me up with perfectly. And THAT is exactly her mission!
This agency's adoption director is a wonderful, dedicated person who has placed many animals in loving homes. Our cat Zorro, who had lost his home during a catastrophic flood, is one of those animals, and we are very thankful to have him. STAR is an excellent organization with the potential to facilitate many excellent adoptions. Highly recommended!
I personally know the adoptions director of this agency, and can attest to her commitment to and love of animals. STAR is a professionally, lovingly run organization!
Jimmy J's Avian Rescue Center has partnered with STAR in our infancy. The support and guidance this exceptional network provided was an essential part of our success. Now as a 501(c)3 incorporated companion bird rescue we work with STAR to educate our community about the importance of responsible pet ownership. STAR is truly a NETWORK, a vital resource for all concerned with the welfare of animals. STAR has brought to the fore the need for ALL concerned with the well being of animals to work together, support one another, provide positive and constructive feedback, share their experience and expertise and mentor those just starting out. One rescue can accomplish great things; a network of rescues can improve the lives of all animals in our community.
I know several members of this organization and follow their excellent work closely. As a devoted lover of two rescue pets, I really appreciate the good work and dedication of STAR. These folks are in the business of connecting loving families with animals in need... and STAR is in it for all the right reasons. Good people.