named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Adoption Services
Facilitates pet adoptions through weekend events by appointment, home visits, and application reviews; includes vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter services
Animal Rescue and Foster Program
Rescues dogs and cats from high-kill shelters and places them in foster homes or a private kennel facility until adoption; fosters are supported with medical care and supplies
Volunteer Program
Engages volunteers in hands-on animal care, adoption counseling, marketing, and skilled trades; offers remote and in-person roles with mentorship training
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Structured Animal Adoption Program 3 activities
- Facilitating pet adoptions through structured processesManages pet adoptions through a secure online application system via ShelterLuv.com, conducts home visits via in-person meetings or video calls, assigns team members to assist applicants, and requires spaying or neutering prior to adoption.
- Hosting regular adoption eventsHosts adoption events nearly every weekend, both on and off site, including every Saturday and Sunday by appointment, to connect adoptable pets with potential families.
- Managing adoptable pet profiles through ShelterluvUses Shelterluv to manage and display adoptable pet profiles online, streamlining visibility and adoption logistics.
-
-
Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordination 2 activities
- Operating a kennel facility with volunteer supportOperates a kennel facility in West Islip where volunteers assist with cleaning, walking, feeding, and socializing dogs.
- Producing adoption-related marketing and visual contentEngages volunteers to create social media content, email blasts, newsletters, marketing materials, merchandise design, and visual content through volunteer photographers and videographers at adoption events and the kennel facility.
-
-
Animal Welfare and Rescue Support 2 activities
- Operating as a large-scale animal rescue organization on Long IslandOperates as the largest 501(c)(3) animal rescue organization on Long Island, focusing on underserved shelters and communities to maximize lifesaving impact for animals.
- Rescuing dogs and cats from high-kill sheltersRescues dogs and cats from high-kill shelters across the U.S. and, when possible, internationally, as well as from county shelters through transfer agreements and accepts owner surrenders on a case-by-case basis.
-
-
Humane Education and Responsible Pet Ownership 1 activity
- Conducting outreach and education on animal overpopulationConducts outreach presentations to schools and organizations to raise awareness about animal overpopulation and euthanasia.
-
-
Rescue and Adoption of Cats 1 activity
- Operating a foster-based rescue networkOperates a foster-based network that provides temporary care for rescued pets with an average stay of two to three weeks, freeing up space to rescue additional animals from kill shelters; rescued animals are housed both in local foster homes and a private kennel facility.
-
-
Pre-Adoption Veterinary Care for Shelter Animals 1 activity
- Providing veterinary and medical care for rescued animalsProvides vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick prevention, microchipping, and spay/neuter services for all dogs and cats prior to adoption, and covers the cost of approved veterinary office visits for foster pets through designated veterinarians.
-
-
Animal Welfare Fundraising through Retail and Sales 1 activity
- Selling pet accessories to support operationsSells a puppy package including a reflective, locking martingale collar and six-foot reflective leash for $30 and a kitty collar for $10, with proceeds supporting rescue operations.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$337K
Contributions & grants$57K17%
Program service revenue$265K79%
Investment income$3K1%
Other revenue$12K
expenses
Total expenses$635K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$137K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$957K
Cash$276K
Investments$0
Liabilities$850K
Net assets$107K
Liquid reserves5.2 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +49.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE INDELICATO | PRESIDENT | 70 | $117K |
board members · 2
- CATHLEEN MAKRIDAKIS — TREASURER
- JOANNE TULLY — SECRETARY
relationships · 5
Who they work with
- Apple Partner — Collaborates with Apple to organize group volunteer opportunities at adoption events.
- PetSmart Charities Partner — Partner organization supporting Ruff House Rescue, indicated by the PetSmart Charities logo on the website.
- Ruff House Rescue NY Fosters Partner — Foster group supporting Ruff House Rescue through a dedicated Facebook group.
- ShelterLuv Partner — Technology partner used to manage and process adoption applications securely.
- Shelterluv Partner — Technology partner providing software to manage and display adoptable pet profiles.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Foster-Based Rescue Networkmethodology: foster-based rescueBy utilizing a foster-based network instead of a physical shelter, the organization increases lifesaving capacity and accelerates rescue operations because foster homes reduce disease transmission risks, lower operational costs, and provide individualized care that improves animal outcomes.
- Needs-Based Foster and Adoption Matchingmethodology: needs-based matchingBy matching animals to foster caregivers and adoptive homes based on compatibility in energy level, age, size, and medical needs, the organization supports successful placements because thoughtful alignment reduces returns and increases long-term stability.
- Rescue-Integrated Public Educationmethodology: rescue_and_educationBy combining animal rescue with public education on spaying/neutering, identification, and training, the organization addresses the root causes of pet homelessness because preventing surrenders and overpopulation reduces the need for future rescues.
- Targeted Rescue from Underserved Communitiesmethodology: underserved-community targetingBy focusing rescue efforts on underserved shelters and communities, the organization maximizes lifesaving impact because these areas face the highest euthanasia rates and have the fewest resources, making intervention more effective and efficient.