Flatbush Cats

Flatbush Cats
Founded2018[1][2]
Type501(c)(3)
FocusCat adoption, fostering, trap-neuter-return
Location
Area served
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Websitewww.flatbushcats.org

Flatbush Cats is a non-profit organization in Flatbush, Brooklyn specializing in cat rescue. The organization employs trap–neuter–return and adoption programs to reduce the stray cat population in Flatbush. Flatbush Cats has a substantial social media following and relies heavily on volunteers, with The Guardian describing the organization as being one of the most effective crowd-sourced rescue efforts in New York City.[3]

Description

Flatbush Cats was established by Will Zweigart in 2018.[1][2] The organization conducts trap–neuter–return operations to help manage the stray and feral cat population in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood; this method helps to reduce the effects of cat overpopulation in the dense urban landscape of New York City. Flatbush Cats also provides training services for volunteers who want to employ trap–neuter–return. In addition to trap–neuter–return, the organization provides adoption, fostering, and medical services for stray cats and kittens. The organization saw a large increase in its workload during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which event the City of New York had cut funding for other programs working to control the city's cat population.[3][4][5][6]

In 2023, the organization opened Flatbush Veterinary Clinic, a 3700 square foot veterinary clinic in Flatbush, focusing on TNR programs and veterinary care for pet owners in need who cannot afford it.[7]

The organization is a 501(c)(3) organization and relies entirely on donations for funding. Flatbush Cats also relies heavily on volunteers in the Flatbush neighborhood. The organization has relatively large social media presence, maintaining an Instagram account and YouTube channel.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Brendlen, Kirstyn (August 29, 2024). "'A solvable problem': Brooklyn's animal rescuers say city-funded veterinary clinics could help end shelter crisis". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  2. ^ a b Gundel, Jeremy (October 28, 2021). "How Flatbush Cats Is Saving Brooklyn's Strays". Kinship. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  3. ^ a b c Ellison, Rachel (2020-04-15). "'Hundreds and hundreds of kittens': the volunteers saving strays as Covid-19 closes shelters". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  4. ^ "Nonprofit group Flatbush Cats aims to control and care for cat population". News 12 - The Bronx. January 5, 2019. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  5. ^ Sandoval, Gabriel (2020-11-24). "How the Pandemic Pause on Free Spay and Neuter Clinics Led to a Cat-astrophe". The City. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  6. ^ "The Human Stories of the Coronavirus Pandemic". The New York Times. 2020-03-30. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  7. ^ Fishman, Melissa (August 28, 2023). "Flatbush Kitty Limits: Flatbush Cats opens new clinic to address feral feline overpopulation". Brooklyn Paper.