Be The Change Animal Rescue

04/28/2026

https://nypost.com/lifestyle/true-cost-of-owning-a-dog/

It’s a doggone shame how much it cost to raise a pet these days.

04/27/2026

Rescue is a full-time unpaid job. No one has any time to waste. It is why on our application we state our policies: We collect the adoption fee fees prior to transferring the animals. All are considered a trial period for the first month, during which time the fee is refundable. We will forever take the animal back.

Our application says: first weeks we require regular communication; at least twice a week check-in on text. We ask for photos and videos to know how things are going, updates to make sure the transition is smooth.

Having “friends that have cats” is great. We love a support system, however, your “friends with a cat” do not know the cat you’re adopting from us. They are unlikely to have the experience with the variety of cats that the rescue does. At the time of adoption the only Expert on that particular cat, is the Foster.We want all adoptions to succeed and provide a high level of support in making sure it’s a smooth integration.

Poor Blanket and her foster went through the entire process, references etc but when it came time for the adoption fee to be paid… The people decided they didn’t want have any communication after she was dropped off.

This attitude is so disrespectful to the rescue who has spent months with this animal, are personally invested, care for and love this kitty; to expect that we would just hand off And say “BYE” ???

We don’t know what we don’t know and for (in this case) people who have never had a cat…. It would be irresponsible to NOT stay in communication in first weeks.
If you wanna buy a Cat in a store or from a breeder:
No accountability for what happens after you “pay for it.”

We know these things always work out for the best: So lets get Blanket home. SHe’s good with dogs, and other cats. a very sensitive girl, and she’s very smart, and just beginning to fully become herself.
DM or email l .org or apply at www.bethchangeanimalrescue.org.

So: If you wanna buy a Cat in a store or from a breeder You don’t have to have any accountability for what happens after you “pay for it.”
Our adoption fees are considered donations, that rarely cover the medical costs for even one animal.

04/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18bBDUr6tq/

FIREWORKS and their negative effect

One issue that continues to be overlooked is that of fireworks and how they negatively affect dogs, cats, birds, other wildlife, people with PTSD, and others who simply don’t like the sudden, intense noise of “explosions,” which might be mistaken for something else. This seems like something the Caucus should and can do something about.

It’s one thing to ask Macy’s, a private company, to stop their July 4th fireworks – it is quite another – and much easier - to have the City Council and Parks Department inform the Philharmonic that a new policy decrees that fireworks will no longer be allowed in City parks because it is too harmful to wildlife, pets, people, and the environment. The free concerts are planned for June in four city parks to be followed by fireworks – Central Park, Prospect Park, Van Cortlandt Park, and Cunningham Park.

surely this is something the new Animal Welfare Caucus can do

04/26/2026

Dr Hadassah had a delightful meeting with her potential new family!!! She was so brave and so excited to meet new people! This is huge progress from the little dog who hid from people.
We take all adoptions step by step, and because Hadassah has been with us for a bit, we want to make sure her going to her forever home feels safe and happy. She really liked S and R and pretty sure they liked her too..:. Hard not to fall in love at first sight….

The next steps will be taking her out to LI to a HOUSE with a YARD and a SISTER later this week so she can sniff it out and she and Daisy can have their meet and greet.
It’s gonna be a looooot of cute dog love!!
Rescue has sooo many elements and is such a ginormous responsibility. The animals we take in are individuals with their own needs, interests and concerns. Our job is to find best fit for everyone involved.

I’m so proud of her! She has come such a long way from the terrified and filthy ball of poo and p*e I met back in September.

More updates to come!
❤️

04/21/2026

https://secure.aspca.org/take-action/pet-safety-pack

google FREE Pet Safety Pack or
Pet Alert stickers. I always have these on my door if there’s an animal inside so that should there be an emergency first responders will know that animals are inside and what kind of animals. You can also carry something in your wallet. Should you have an emergency someone would know that you have pets that need to be cared for. You can also buy these at other places online. But this is a free resource at the Aspca website.

You can literally save your animals life by having one of these on the door. I personally have a window ladder, being that my building doesn’t have fire escapes. I have a ladder. I can throw out my window and always keep a carrier nearby so that should there be an emergency.. the Animals and I have a way to get out!

04/21/2026

Happy Tails CAM UPDATE:
In 2024,
a kind neighbor took it upon herself to feed a stray cat on her Harlem street. It was the first stroke of luck for Cam, a scared and traumatized tuxedo.

The feeder was moving and was in agony overwhat many colony caretakers face as life changes happen. What to do for your kitties if you move??!!!!

After months of coordinating, Cam got lucky again when rescued him right as he was losing his feeder!!

Though he was unsure and fearful, the rescuer sensed that all Cam needed was time to decompress and learn that he was safe.

Once he settled in and no had to fight to survive, he became the sweetest, most loving kitty.

For over a YEAR, he waited patiently for his forever home, and finally last fall, it came!!!

adopted him and introduced him to his new brother, Percy.
Percy was a stray and had lost both ears to cancer.

Percy’s mama was ready to expand the family and fell head over heels for our gentle, handsome boy but wasn’t quite sure if Percy was ready…

Turns out, it was a purrfect match!

With a few months and lots of patient love, Cam and Percy have become buddies and love to watch “kitty TV” out their window. 

Helping families come together is our greatest joy!!

Have the best life boys!
You are so loved!!!

04/21/2026

Hadassah had a perfect!! Check up with Dr Leet-Otley! Her skin is a little dry and we are going to use a topical omega-3 since she is so picky about what kind of supplements she will take… There’s never been a girl more ready to go into the next chapter!!

❤️ ❤️

04/19/2026

Meanwhile Dr Hadassah waits not so patiently for her forever home.
Hadassah is not loving the NYC life and misses the freedom of roaming in a YARD! ACcess to sniffable, exploitable outdoor space is high on our wish list of finding her family.

Hadassah is active and has a very curious mind. She’s bored with not being able to spend the time off leash bossing around the humans that she had in Fla.

Her dream forever family has a calm energy home environment with a yard for her to explore, is mindful of getting her the right nutritious foods, and maybe a sibling.
Dr H does has some extra medical needs, and needs to be with a family that will keep up with her vet care. We have invested a lot into getting her healthy glow, and she needs humans equally as committed to keeping her this way.

This little angel continues to surprise us as she gets more and more relaxed and discovers what it means to be a beloved FAMILY member and also- as she is allowed to be a DOG.

She learns new cues so quickly and really listens to her person.

DM with interest in this most lovely and fiery little friend.
❤️🐶
’tshop

04/19/2026

Blanket is looking amazing!! It’s hard to believe that barely four months ago this little girl was terrified and abandoned in a parking lot. Now she’s confident and comes right out. She enjoys her brushes, loves her box, and is on her way to her Furever home in the next week. We’re happy she’ll be staying in Harlem neighborhood. We love her so much, our sweetest Binky girl and her best foster mama ❤️❤️❤️

04/19/2026

A heartbreaking update: Fluffy, a beloved backyard street cat and enduring presence of the neighborhood, crossed the rainbow bridge after a long and hard-fought life, passing peacefully in the arms of his caretaker.
For an outdoor cat, he lived well beyond his years, surviving through instinct, resilience, and an unyielding spirit.
Fearless is the best word to describe him. A scrapper in every sense, Fluffy bore the marks of his battles with stoic dignity. He possessed a quiet strength, fierce independence, and a striking beauty that made him unforgettable.
He was loved not in spite of who he was, but because of it.

Fluffy was preceded in death by Sweetie and Grandpa and is survived by Gris-Gris, the last of his generation.

In his final days, it became clear that the challenges he faced were greater than anyone could see from the outside. What first appeared to be a simple ear infection revealed tumorous growths in both ears, which bled even with gentle care. The treatment put him at risk of paralysis. Additional signs pointed to serious underlying illness: a distended “doughy” belly suggesting carcinoma, a heart murmur, anemia, and severe arthritis that impaired his ability to walk. The available treatments offered little chance of meaningful recovery, and age had made it increasingly difficult for him to fend off younger cats and navigate the life he had always known.
Faced with these realities, the decision was made to let him go peacefully and without further suffering—an act of care and compassion equal to the toughness with which he had lived.
Fluffy remained, to the end, what he had always been: a fighter. His life was not defined by how it ended, but by the years he carved out against the odds.
 
The last video: his lifelong pal Gris Gris is realizing his friend is gone. His caretaker brought back the blanket Fluff was in when he crossed the bridge so Gris could have the scent and know.
We gave never seen such a look on this tough boy’s face.

All animals are someone. They have friends and family. They love and grieve just like we do.

RIP Fluffy. You will be missed and remembered.

Thanks to all who supported him and our work for colony care.

04/19/2026

A heartbreaking update: Fluffy, a beloved backyard street cat and enduring presence of the neighborhood, crossed the rainbow bridge after a long and hard-fought life, passing peacefully in the arms of his caretaker.
For an outdoor cat, he lived well beyond his years, surviving through instinct, resilience, and an unyielding spirit.
Fearless is the best word to describe him. A scrapper in every sense, Fluffy bore the marks of his battles with stoic dignity. He possessed a quiet strength, fierce independence, and a striking beauty that made him unforgettable.
He was loved not in spite of who he was, but because of it.

Fluffy was preceded in death by Sweetie and Grandpa and is survived by Gris-Gris, the last of his generation.

In his final days, it became clear that the challenges he faced were greater than anyone could see from the outside. What first appeared to be a simple ear infection revealed tumorous growths in both ears, which bled even with gentle care. The treatment put him at risk of paralysis. Additional signs pointed to serious underlying illness: a distended “doughy” belly suggesting carcinoma, a heart murmur, anemia, and severe arthritis that impaired his ability to walk. The available treatments offered little chance of meaningful recovery, and age had made it increasingly difficult for him to fend off younger cats and navigate the life he had always known.
Faced with these realities, the decision was made to let him go peacefully and without further suffering—an act of care and compassion equal to the toughness with which he had lived.
Fluffy remained, to the end, what he had always been: a fighter. His life was not defined by how it ended, but by the years he carved out against the odds.
 
The last video: his lifelong pal Gris Gris is realizing his friend is gone. His caretaker brought back the blanket Fluff was in when he crossed the bridge so Gris could have. His scent and know.
We gave never seen such a look on this tough boy’s face.

All animals are someone. They have friends and family. They love and grieve just like we do.

RIP Fluffy. You will be missed and remembered.

Thanks to all who supported him and our work for colony care.