Washington Heights Cat Colony

Excellent rescue organization. I've had such a great experience with all of the volunteers I've interacted with, and I always feel like my contributions are valued. This organization really strives to make a difference in the lives of community cats and I'm glad to be a part of the mission.

I have been rescuing cats in NYC for years, working with a couple different organizations, but I have had the best experience volunteering for Washington Heights Cat Colony or “WaHI”. I’ve volunteered in different capacities with the organization for about 2 years, and I continue to be surprised by how resourceful and persistent this group is about saving community cats. I frequently foster many of WaHi's neediest rescues (baby kittens, etc.,) and always feel that I have people I can connect with at any hour, to make sure our rescues get the best possible care to set them on a new path and get them ready for adoption. I really believe in the work of this small, but dedicated, organization run by a wonderful team of volunteers. I consistently feel that I am making a difference by being a part of it all.

We also got a cat who they did not release extreme behavioral issues about. They have claimed that he was sweet and docile and he constantly attacks and bites for no reason even though we’ve been very careful in giving him space and proper toys/playtime. This organization definitely has good intentions though with patterns of lying and not knowing how to vet their cats behavioral problems before adopting them out. I cannot recommend.

These people allowed me to foster an animal they knew had serious behavior/health issues (and deliberately withheld this information which became readily apparent upon receiving his medical records). They were strangely controlling about allowing me to help provide medical care to him when I fostered him, withheld medical records until I adopted him (that's how I found out they KNEW he had the problems as the information was apparent from the medical records so the behavior didn't suddenly develop in my home).

So, the behavior/health issues had been ongoing, and they had adopted him out to at least one other person who had given him back to them. Then, I had to give him back after he urinated all over and destroyed my furniture. My household already had to cope with the death of our beloved 16-year-old cat. It was upsetting to have to give him back after my other male cat had already bonded with him.

Very irresponsible people who kept trying to turn the situation around on me (a cat owner for over 50 years). Don't trust them.

They shouldn't be allowed to do this work despite their well-meaning intentions. They simple are not responsible enough, and not honest.

What a great community-driven initiative to address a potential public health problem for both animals and humans in the neighborhood. The group has made an amazing difference with so few resources.