Little Wanderers NYC Inc
Our Mission
Founded in 2013, Little Wanderers is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to saving cats from the five boroughs of New York City. We are an all-volunteer, non-profit rescue group that adopts out roughly 75 - 100 animals per month.
Unlike other organizations, Little Wanderers has made it our mission to target the cats who would otherwise be overlooked—the severely injured, the ignored, the neglected—with an emphasis on the most underserved areas of NYC (the Bronx, Harlem, and Northern Manhattan).
Typically, these cats remain invisible to the world; but fortunately, we have a team of amazing volunteers with a passion for locating and rescuing these little sweethearts. Our organization then works with a network of veterinarians and foster families to nurse these once-neglected souls back to good health and then find them a loving, forever home.
In addition to helping those in need find their forever homes, we also manage over 400 feral colony cats to ensure the ongoing health and safety of those animals are met, along with the proper TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) care is provided to help stop the ongoing overpopulation issues.
As a small volunteer group, we are constantly overwhelmed by the work that needs to be done but seeing how drastically these cats’ lives are improved (and how much joy they bring to those who adopt them) makes all the hard work more than worth it.
Adoption Policy
How does it work?
Search through the “Cats Available for Adoption” list on Petfinder (or through the photos on one of our social media pages); find a cat or cats that makes you heart sing; and then fill out an adoption application! You can find this by going to our Petfinder Organization Profile and clicking the link under "adoption application".
Wow! These cats look incredible! Are they all in good health?
Upon rescue, we cover all known medical treatments needed to ensure the animal is healthy and ready for their forever home. Be sure to keep in mind that all cats come from the streets, so while we treat all known medical issues, additional health concerns may arise later in their lives. You will have continuous support from our team through the adoption process and beyond. For adult cats, we cover all age-appropriate vaccinations upon rescue as well as FELV/FIV testing, spay/neuter, microchip, and rabies shot. For kittens, we cover first FVRCP booster, 2nd booster, FELV/FIV testing, spay/neuter, and microchip (Adopters of kittens are responsible for 3rd booster as well as rabies shot at 4 months of age).
And how much does it cost? If I want to adopt a cat…or two?
The adoption fee is $150 for a cat or kitten and $250 for a pair. Kittens under 6 months old will be adopted out in pairs or to home with a current resident cat.
Why are pairs recommended?
A pair of cats or kittens will still want to interact with people but can keep each other occupied and gives them a companion while you are at work or running errands. Most cats, regardless of their age, are highly sociable and are truly happier living with other cat companions. This in turn makes them better pets, less destructive to the home and let’s be honest, 2 cats are always better than one!
Should I consider a senior cat?
Please! We have many older cats looking for their forever homes too. Adopting an older cat or cats is so rewarding and you will get the love back ten times over! A kitten is only a kitten for a short period and older cats are typically overlooked in place of kittens.
I would like to adopt, but I already have a cat at home and not sure if they will get along!
Introducing a new cat into your home can take some time and work, but if you are up to it, the results will pay off! We have placed some best practices to follow in this link (link to reference tab). You will also have a team of volunteers to help guide you!
Can I let my cat outside? Even if I have a fence?
Please, no! We have gone through so much time, work, effort, and money to get your cat off the streets, and we do not want to see it back on the streets! Besides not being safe, letting your cat outside opens it up to other healthy issues not to mention fleas and ticks. Even with a fence a cat can escape, become missing or worse…
What if I adopt and try everything to integrate my new cat into my home, but nothing works?
Although it is very stressful for cats to be moved once settled in a home, we want to ensure our rescues find their forever homes, so will take them back into our care. Just remember that cats vary in the timing they take to settle into a new home or space. Typically, it takes 3 days for the cat to start to decompress, 3 weeks to learn a routine and start to settle in and 3 months to start to feel at home and comfortable.
Once I submit my application, how quickly will I hear back?
Our team of volunteers work hard to get to all applications as soon as possible. A response can take up to a week, depending on the volume of applications, so please be patient with us! A little secret… be sure to complete your application thoroughly and include as much detail as possible for each question to expedite the process. Also, be ready for a home check as part of the application screening!
Last question, what if I have more questions? We have a team of volunteers to help you along the process and several resources to help you prepare! Visit our ‘Resource’ page on our website to read up and become a cat expert!