Hounds on the Sound

Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1982 by Sue Kamell and two other women who saw the need to establish a rescue group to properly care for cats and dogs in need, and find them safe and loving homes.

Pet Rescue is a dedicated group of volunteers that give freely of their time to support our mission. Since we do not have a formal shelter, our animals are fostered by group members and outside volunteers, or housed at local boarding facilities when not enough foster homes are available.

The animals come from various places. Some come from owners who are no longer able to care for them; others are taken from shelters, both locally and in southern states where they are usually euthanized after 7 days; still others (many others) come from the streets. They often arrive sick or injured, and are subsequently treated by veterinarians and cared for until they are well enough for adoption. We have great success in finding homes for puppies and kittens as well as older animals and those with special needs (such as blind and handicapped cats and dogs). We do not euthanize healthy or older animals. We will only give up on the life of an animal when it is terminally ill and in distress. In 2008, we rescued and found homes for over 850 dogs and cats.

We do not receive any state or federal funding. We rely entirely on private donations.

New Rochelle Humane Society was founded one hundred years ago to provide care for lost, abandoned, injured or mistreated animals. Over the years, this private 501c3 not-for-profit organization has become well known for offering animals in need a comfortable environment to live in, the medical care they require, and the love and attention they deserve.

We presently serve 17 communities in Westchester County and rescue over 500 dogs and 900 cats each year. Day or night, we are responsible for taking in any animal in distress in one of our communities. We make every effort to reunite the animal with its owner. When that is not possible, our staff puts a tremendous amount of energy into matching the right animal with the right and, we hope, forever adoptive home.

Our committed community is headed by a Board of Directors comprised entirely of volunteers. Our staff consists of an experienced, dedicated shelter manager and caring workers who make sure each animal receives the attention it needs. They are supported by an active group of long-term volunteers and enthusiastic family and junior volunteers.

About 50% of the shelter’s funding is provided from the communities we serve for rescuing their homeless cats and dogs. The other 50% comes from donations, wills and bequests. We do not receive any federal funding.