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TENDER LOVING CATS INC
West Sayville, NY · EIN 815228818 · Form 990 · FY2025 · NTEE D20 · Animal-Related · Small ($100K-$1M) · tenderlovingcats.org
revenue
$247K
expenses
$236K
net assets
$68K
employees
0
volunteers
200
program ratio
99%
mission · from form 990

Reduce the popupation of homeless cats & kittens on Long Island, New York through trap-neuter-return and adoption.

profile · synthesized from sources

Tender Loving Cats Inc. is a no-kill feline rescue organization based on Long Island, New York, dedicated to reducing the population of homeless cats and kittens through trap-neuter-return (TNR) and adoption. The organization rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes abandoned and injured cats, while also managing feral cat colonies on college campuses. All adopted cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and medically treated prior to placement.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Adoption Program
Rehabilitates and places rescued cats and kittens into permanent homes. All animals are vet-checked, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for parasites. Special attention given to behavioral assessments and appropriate placement.
Campus Cats Initiative (CCI)
Rescues friendly and abandoned cats from college campuses, provides full medical care and adoption services, and conducts TNR for feral colonies. Includes colony management, public education, and advocacy against pet abandonment. Currently active at Hofstra University.
Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR)
Stabilizes feral cat populations by humanely trapping, spaying/neutering, vaccinating, and returning cats to their colonies. Includes setting up feeding stations and shelters to improve quality of life and control rodent populations.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Rescue and Adoption of Cats 5 activities
    • Adoption program for rescued cats and kittens
      Operates a structured cat adoption program that includes a formal application process, adoption interviews, reference checks, and placement of cats and kittens into permanent homes. The program facilitated nearly 600 adoptions in 2025 and requires all cats and kittens to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped prior to adoption.
    • Barn cat adoption program
      Offers barn cat adoptions with no adoption fee, providing spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped cats to help control rodent populations on farms and rural properties. Includes guidance for adopters on acclimating barn cats to new environments and relies on donations to support operations.
    • Behavioral research on kitten adoption outcomes
      Collected 15 years of behavioral data showing that 90% of kittens adopted under 3 months without a feline companion are later returned or abandoned due to behavioral issues, informing adoption policies.
    • Foster care program for cats and kittens
      Operates a volunteer-based foster care program that provides temporary homes for rescued cats and kittens from Long Island until they are ready for adoption, including post-surgery recovery care and socialization for young kittens.
    • Kitten adoption policy to prevent behavioral issues
      Requires kittens under 12 weeks of age to be adopted into homes with an age-appropriate feline companion to prevent behavioral problems associated with "Single Kitten Syndrome," based on long-term behavioral data collection.
  • Pet Food and Supply Pantry Services 1 activity
    • In-kind donation collection via Amazon Wishlist
      Creates and maintains an Amazon Wishlist to collect essential supplies for rescuing and caring for cats and kittens from the streets of Long Island.
  • Pre-Adoption Veterinary Care for Shelter Animals 1 activity
    • Rescue and medical care for homeless cats and kittens
      Rescues mistreated, injured, abandoned, and homeless cats and kittens from Long Island, including specific populations such as campus cats at Hofstra University. Provides comprehensive veterinary care including FeLV/FIV testing, deworming, flea treatment, vaccinations (including rabies), spaying/neutering, microchipping, and treatment for major health issues, with an average veterinary cost covered of $180–$200 per cat.
  • Animal Welfare and Rescue Support 1 activity
    • Special needs cat medical support fund
      Provides financial support for the medical treatment of special needs cats and kittens through the Barbara Ann Bono Memorial Fund, preventing euthanasia due to cost and enabling care for cats with significant health issues.
  • Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for Feral Cats 1 activity
    • Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats
      Implements a comprehensive Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats on Long Island, including trapping, spaying/neutering, post-surgery recovery care, and release back to original locations. The program also includes maintaining feeding stations and housing for feral cat colonies, with documented efforts such as TNVR initiation for over 40 feral cats on the Hofstra University campus.
  • Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
    • Volunteer program for adoption centers and medical clinics
      Operates volunteer shifts at adoption centers seven days a week, with volunteers committing to one two-hour shift per week. Volunteers assist with medical intake clinics, transportation of cats to veterinary appointments, and general support at adoption events.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Alumni engagement and tracking via social media
      Operates an alumni Facebook group to track and share updates about adopted cats and kittens in their permanent homes, supporting long-term monitoring and community engagement.
    • Lifelong rehoming support for adopted cats
      Offers a lifelong return policy, accepting back any previously adopted cat or kitten at any time if the adopter can no longer care for them, ensuring permanent safety net support for all adopted animals.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$247K
Contributions & grants$171K69%
Program service revenue$76K31%
Investment income$310%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$236K
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$71K
Cash$71K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$68K
Liquid reserves3.6 mo
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue +29.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 7
  • Claudia Cannam — Director
  • Dana Demetres — Director
  • Jennifer Shah — Secretary
  • Lisa Landers — Director
  • Marge Goldin — Director
  • Rebecca Caro — President
  • Richard Bertuglia — Treasurer
relationships · 23

Who they work with

  • Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner — Partners to list available cats and kittens for adoption online.
  • All Cats, All The Time Funder — Provided a $500 grant to support lifesaving rescue and medical efforts.
  • Amazon Partner — Partner platform for managing and fulfilling in-kind donations through a dedicated charity wishlist.
  • American Association of Feline Practitioners Network — Follows FIV management guidelines from the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
  • American Pets Alive Partner — Follows FIV position statement and practices supported by American Pets Alive.
  • Animals First Partner — Partner organization through which Tender Loving Cats, Inc. manages its foster application process.
  • Animals First Partner — Uses Animals First platform for volunteer applications and adoptions.
  • Barbara Ann Bono Partner — Founding supporter who helped establish Tender Loving Cats, Inc. and inspired the creation of a memorial fund for special needs cats.
  • Donorbox Partner — Platform used to process donations.
  • Facebook Partner — Hosts a dedicated alumni group for adopted cats and kittens to share updates and maintain community engagement.
  • Hofstra University Partner — Collaborates with TLC on the Campus Cat Initiative to manage feral and abandoned cats on campus grounds.
  • Jackson Galaxy Partner — Utilizes Jackson Galaxy's methods for cat-to-cat introductions and recommends his wand toys for interactive play.
  • Maddie’s Fund Partner — Aligns with Maddie’s Fund research and policy recommendations on FIV testing in shelter medicine.
  • MailerLite Partner — Used for managing email subscriptions and donor communications.
  • PayPal Partner — Platform used to accept online donations
  • PetSmart Partner — Hosts adoption centers at PetSmart locations in North and West Babylon.
  • PetSmart Partner — Partner retailer for sourcing donated items from a dedicated wish list to support cat rescue activities.
  • PetSmart Charities Partner — Hosts adoption centers where Tender Loving Cats, Inc. makes cats and kittens available for adoption.
  • PetSmart Charities Partner — Hosts adoption centers where Tender Loving Cats, Inc. shows adoptable cats and kittens.
  • PetSmart North & West Babylon Partner — Hosts adoption centers for Tender Loving Cats, Inc. to facilitate cat adoptions.
  • Spirit Essences Partner — Recommends Spirit Essences' flower essence formulas such as 'Peacemaker' and 'New Beginnings' to reduce stress during cat introductions.
  • Venmo Partner — Platform used to accept online donations
  • VolunteerMatch Partner — Lists volunteer opportunities through VolunteerMatch platform.
strategies · 5

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.

  • Comprehensive Adoption Screening and Post-Adoption Engagement
    methodology: comprehensive_adoption_screening
    By using rigorous screening—including applications, interviews, reference checks, and home visits—and maintaining post-adoption contact via alumni networks, we increase adoption success and long-term cat well-being, because accountability and ongoing support reduce returns and ensure appropriate placements.
  • Foster-Based Rehabilitation and Socialization Model
    methodology: foster_care_model
    By placing cats and kittens in foster homes rather than cages, we improve their behavioral health and adoptability, because family-style care provides essential socialization, especially during critical developmental periods, leading to better long-term outcomes in permanent homes.
  • No-Kill, Universal Worth of Life Philosophy
    methodology: universal-worth-of-life
    By providing life-saving care to all cats regardless of health status, temperament, or adoptability, we reduce euthanasia and expand second chances, because every cat has inherent value and alternative placements (like barn cat programs) can fulfill humane outcomes even when traditional adoption is not possible.
  • Paired Kitten Adoption and Socialization Requirement
    methodology: early_socialization_requirement
    By requiring kittens under 12 weeks to be adopted in pairs or into homes with existing cats, we prevent behavioral problems and reduce returns, because early social interaction with other cats during a critical developmental window supports healthy emotional and social development.
  • Trap-Neuter-Return/Vaccinate-Return (TNR/TNVR) Model
    methodology: trap-neuter-return
    By humanely trapping, neutering, vaccinating, and returning community cats, we stabilize feral colonies and improve feline welfare, because this prevents overpopulation, reduces mating-related stress and injuries, and promotes long-term colony health without lethal control.