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SHELTER CHIC INC

Brooklyn, NY · EIN 471735208 · Form 990EZ · FY2020 · NTEE D20 · Animal-Related · Micro (<$100K) · shelterchic.org
revenue
$33K
expenses
$46K
net assets
$13K
employees
mission · from form 990

Rescuing cats and dogs in need and placing in forever homes

profile · synthesized from sources

Shelter Chic Inc is a volunteer-run, foster-based animal rescue organization based in New York City. The organization rescues dogs and cats—particularly seniors, those with special medical needs, and stigmatized breeds—from municipal shelters and provides them with medical care, rehabilitation, and temporary foster homes. It promotes adoption through a vibrant, fashion-forward approach designed to challenge stereotypes and appeal to a broad audience.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Big Brother & Big Sister Program
A sponsorship program where pet owners can donate $500 to support a shelter animal, receiving updates and photos as their pet "sponsors" a rescue animal’s journey to adoption
Fospice Program
Provides end-of-life care for terminally ill shelter animals, offering comfort, love, and dignity in their final days through dedicated foster homes and veterinary support
Foster Program
Places rescued animals in temporary foster homes to reduce shelter stress, allow behavioral and medical rehabilitation, and prepare them for adoption
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Structured Animal Adoption Program 2 activities
    • Adoption application processing and applicant matching
      Processes adoption applications through an online system and matches approved applicants with available animals based on preferences and animal needs. Requires in-person meet-and-greets between existing and prospective dogs prior to approval.
    • Geographically restricted adoption placement
      Restricts animal adoptions to the Tri-State Area, with exceptions only if prospective adopters travel to meet the animal in person.
  • Animal Welfare and Rescue Support 2 activities
    • End-of-life care for terminally ill shelter animals
      Rescues terminally ill dogs from shelters and provides comfort care, including favorite foods, outdoor stroller rides, and supportive housing, ensuring dignity and quality of life in their final days.
    • Sponsorship program for rescue animal care
      Offers a $500 sponsorship program that funds transport, veterinary care, food, toys, and other needs for rescue animals in foster care. Sponsors receive photos, biographies, and bi-weekly updates on their matched animal’s progress.
  • Rescue and Adoption of Cats 2 activities
    • Provision of foster care for adoptable animals
      Provides temporary foster homes for rescued animals while they await permanent adoption, moving them from cages into home environments to support socialization and well-being. Foster placement includes animals with medical or behavioral needs.
    • Rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of shelter cats and dogs
      Rescues cats and dogs from city shelters and humane societies, provides medical evaluation and rehabilitation, and places them into permanent adoptive homes. Focuses on animals that are seniors, have special medical needs, or face negative breed stereotypes, including those at risk of euthanasia.
  • Humane Education and Responsible Pet Ownership 1 activity
    • Animal adoption advocacy and public awareness
      Advocates for shelter pet adoption over breeder purchases, raises awareness about puppy mills, and promotes informed decision-making through public engagement and positive messaging.
  • Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
    • Volunteer and intern recruitment
      Seeks volunteers and interns to assist with errands, pet transportation, administrative tasks, and organizational support.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$33K
Contributions & grants$33K100%
Program service revenue
Investment income
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$46K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$13K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$13K
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

Who runs it

board members · 4
  • Adam Widener — Director
  • Brittany Feldman Fastenberg — Executive Director, President
  • Catherine Riley — Secretary, Director
  • Evan Einstein — Director
relationships · 19

Who they work with

  • Animal Alliance NYC Partner — Provider of lost/found pet resources and low-cost spay/neuter services recommended by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Animal Care Centers of NYC Partner — Source shelter from which SHELTER CHIC INC pulls animals for rescue and adoption.
  • Animal Medical Center in NYC Partner — Collaborates on veterinary neurology evaluations and medical diagnostics for rescued animals.
  • Associated Humane Societies Partner — Source shelter in New Jersey from which SHELTER CHIC INC pulls animals for rescue and adoption.
  • Brooklyn Animal Action Partner — Organization providing feral cat TNR education and advocacy resources recommended by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Every Living Thing Partner — Animal welfare organization in Tanzania supported and promoted by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Feral Cat Initiative Partner — Program providing feral cat TNR resources recommended by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Feral Cat Rescue Group Partner — Organization providing feral cat support resources recommended by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Foster Dogs NYC Partner — Collaborated to rescue a terminally ill dog and provided financial support and foster connections for end-of-life care.
  • Foster Dogs NYC Partner — Provider of foster care resources used and recommended by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Friends of Animals Partner — Provider of spay/neuter certificates recommended by SHELTER CHIC INC for low-cost veterinary care.
  • Kilimanjaro Animal CREW Partner — Animal welfare organization in Tanzania supported and promoted by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Marshall Boprey Partner — Photographer who provides images for Shelter Chic; credited for hero photo
  • NYC Animal Care and Control Partner — Source shelter from which animals are rescued.
  • Nicola Dugdale Partner — Administrative Coordinator and foster who supports Shelter Chic by providing temporary housing for animals and working behind the scenes to facilitate adoptions.
  • Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Partner — Wildlife rescue organization supported and promoted by SHELTER CHIC INC.
  • Susie's Senior Dogs Partner — Coordinated with Shelter Chic to pull senior dogs from the city shelter.
  • Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter Partner — Source shelter from which SHELTER CHIC INC pulls animals for rescue and adoption.
  • Yonkers Animal Shelter Partner — Source shelter from which SHELTER CHIC INC pulls animals for rescue and adoption.
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.

  • Adoption-Centered Rebranding and Public Engagement
    methodology: positive-engagement-rebranding
    By using creative expression, design-forward presentation, and public education to reframe shelter animals as unique and desirable, we increase engagement and adoption rates, because shifting public perception reduces stigma and fosters emotional connection.
  • Advocacy for Adoption Over Breeding
    methodology: adoption-over-breeding advocacy
    By promoting pet adoption as a life-saving alternative to commercial breeding, we reduce demand for breeders and increase shelter adoptions, because reframing adoption as an ethical and impactful choice shifts consumer behavior.
  • Behavioral Compatibility Screening
    methodology: behavioral_compatibility_screening
    By conducting structured meet-and-greets between animals and prospective adopters or existing pets, we increase the likelihood of successful long-term adoptions, because assessing behavioral compatibility reduces returns and improves pet-owner fit.
  • Foster-Based Rehabilitation Model
    methodology: foster_based_rescue
    By removing animals from shelter environments and placing them in foster care, we reduce fear and anxiety, allowing their true personalities to emerge and increasing their adoptability, because a nurturing home environment better reveals temperament and compatibility with potential adopters.
  • Rescue-and-Rehabilitation for High-Risk Animals
    methodology: rescue-and-rehabilitation
    By rescuing animals from municipal shelters—especially those with special needs or histories of neglect—and providing medical and emotional rehabilitation, we increase adoption opportunities and reduce euthanasia, because targeted intervention improves both health and adoptability.