Playwrights for Pets: making theater to benefit animals in need

01/28/2026

01/27/2026

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For generations, bodega cats have been part of daily life in New York lounging on counters, keeping pests away, and offering comfort to shop owners and customers alike. Now, the state is taking steps to formally recognize and protect these beloved neighborhood icons. This isn’t about changing tradition it’s about respecting it and ensuring the safety of animals that are already woven into the heart of the community.

01/25/2026

01/25/2026

This Sunday’s Special Needs Feature: all outside animals needing our shelter and protection:

PET SAFETY ALERT!

During blizzard conditions, it's imperative to keep a keen eye out for our own pets and for those of our community. If you see a pet outside who does not seem to have a guardian, please call 911 right away.

Tips for Winter Dog Care
• Put a cozy sweater on your dog. Small, short-haired dogs, especially, can get cold very easily since they are not bred for the chilly North Eastern winters. Help them manage the cold in style with a festive sweater or jacket.

• After coming inside from the snow, make sure to dry your pet thoroughly with a towel, paying special attention to their paws and underside. Wet fur can quickly lead to hypothermia.

• Symptoms of hypothermia in pets include shivering, lethargy, shallow breathing, and muscle stiffness. If you notice any of these signs, bring your pet indoors immediately and contact your veterinarian.

• Avoid the salt! The salt used to melt snow and ice can be very irritating and harmful to the pads of your dog’s feet. You can try putting booties on their feet for walks, if they’ll tolerate it.

• Pamper your dog after a cold and wet walk. Make sure to clean and dry their paws to help avoid cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.

• Try not to let your dog lick or eat any old snow or ice. Chemicals such as antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, are highly poisonous. Although it may smell and taste good to your dog, it can be lethal.

• Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a good substitute for water.

01/24/2026

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO EMAILED AND SPREAD THE WORD!
Our Foster Team has received thousands of emails (we literally had to stop counting)!

Please do not come to a Care Center for a Blizzard Buddy unannounced. Only those who receive a response from our team will be able to participate.

We will try our hardest to respond to the current emails, but due to the high volume, we will not be able to get through any new requests for this weekend.

However, we are always in need of short and long-term fosters - please sign up for one of our upcoming foster orientations at nycacc.org/foster!

01/24/2026

01/23/2026

Repeat Black Cat Friday Double Feature: brothers Noah and Simon! They would be happiest in a together forever home. For more info, please reach out directly to Boomer's Feline Friends in Bay Ridge/Brooklyn, NY

This week's Black Cat Friday Double Feature: brothers Noah and Simon! They would be happiest in a together forever home. For more info, please reach out directly to Boomer's Feline Friends in Bay Ridge/Brooklyn, NY.

01/21/2026

Mark your calendar for the next virtual Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Certification Workshop, taking place Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2pm.
https://communitycatscentral.thinkific.com/courses/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-february-2026
It’s a great way to get expert guidance on TNR and community cat care—and get certified while you’re at it!

Our 2/7 online workshop is hosted by Community Cats Central. Follow the link above to reserve your spot!

Stay up to date on all of our upcoming workshops by signing up for news and alerts 🐾
https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/newsletter