Woodmere-Based Non-Profit Cat Rescue Organization Seeks Donations

WOODMERE, NY — For the love of cats, Alleykattz.org was born. The non-profit, volunteer organization based in Woodmere rescues abandoned and homeless felines. They help with the adoption process, including fostering kittens who are too young to get spayed or neutered.

However, the pandemic impacted the agency's ability to find volunteers.

"It's harder to get people to go out and track them," Nancy Robison, a volunteer for six months, said.

Although a cat lover from her youth, Robison only has one dog now.

Another concern from COVID-19, many people who took in pets while in quarantine decided they could no longer keep them once returning to normal life 2.0.

"That is true of the shelters," Robison said. "The shelters have had that as a big problem. We have not had that."

Alleykattz, with founder Sonia Cepeda, began in 2017.

"Basically if she gets a call about a cat that's in need they rescue the cat and they put it into foster care until they can find an adopter for it," Robison said.

While the organization is run from the Five Towns, they will recover felines anywhere on Long Island and the five boroughs as the first step to their future "forever homes."

They take in approximately 75 cats per month with, on average, 50 getting adopted each month.

With the process of having rescued cats either fostered or adopted, it is extremely unlikely that any would-be pets would be euthanized.

"Obviously, if a cat is beyond help in terms of injuries or illness, if it's in the best interest of the cat, that's a different story," Robison said.

It's important to increase their volunteer list, they only have 10 currently. But equally pressing is Alleykattz's need for people to foster kittens and ultimately adopt.

Also vital, as a non-profit, donations can keep the agency afloat as they don't pay the staff.

Alleykattz does not charge for adoptions, but there is a $25 application fee.

"Anything people can do to help us out would be appreciated," Robison said.