New Yorkers for Companion Animals (NYCA) is a not-for-profit IRS 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1994. Since its inception, NYCA has successfully rescued and placed more than 5,000 abandoned or homeless cats and dogs.
We do not have a physical shelter or a salaried working staff, nor do we receive any governmental funding. We are entirely dependent on the sacrifices and caring of a handful of reliable and responsible volunteers and foster people, and the generous and compassionate private donors who enable our mission.
Our mission is to rescue, care for and place companion animals in permanent, loving and responsible homes. Our goal is not only "quantity" adoptions, but quality as well. All applicants are screened before adoption. We look for people with a history of committed, responsible care of pets. Working with adopters, we try to "match" the appropriate cat or dog to the caregiver’s individual situation and needs. All NYCA pets are fully vaccinated, tested and neutered or spayed.
Many of the animals we rescue were former strays, breeding and dying in the streets or brought into the Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC), New York City's municipal animal pound system. The other animals NYCA rescues and places are abandoned pets dropped off at CACC for reasons such as "moving," "allergies," or "no time for." New York City shelters receive more than 60,000 pets every year, more than 40,000 of which they are forced to euthanize. Most of these animals are wonderful and adoptable pets, which the system simply does not have the space and resources to hold long enough to allow them to have a second chance.
A lifelong New Yorker, Patty Adjamine has been an active advocate of animal rights since the 1980's, and continues to regularly write on the subject.
Patty began her animal rescue career at the age of 8, when she rescued her first cat. The brown tabby was discovered in the hallway of her apartment building with no tenants admitting ownership. Since her mother was afraid of cats, it required some persuasion, but Patty eventually convinced her mother to let her adopt the feline.
"Kitty Kelly" lived out her 17 years in bliss, and most importantly, inspired Patty to make animal advocacy her life's pursuit.
In 1994, Patty founded her own rescue organization to effect a greater impact. Since then, she has successfully found homes for thousands of homeless cats and dogs, and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness for this important cause.
Patty has a daughter and two lovely dogs of her own, Tina and Chance. In her limited spare time, she enjoys swimming, dance and music. Patty also has a background in art and design.