Empty Cages Collective

Welcome, Alfonzo! Alfonzo, aka Fonzi, was brought to one of our vets as a wild rabbit. It is likely that Fonzi is one of many #rabbits who are purchased on a whim only to be surrendered or abandoned at a later date. Thin and afraid, Fonzi was lucky to make it to safety, but unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury to one of his legs that damaged his nerves. Unable to use the leg, the vet recommends amputation, which will take place this upcoming week. Stay tuned for updates as this handsome boy heals and begins searching for his forever home. #rabbit #rabbitsofinstagram #specialneedsrabbits #companionanimals #foreverhomesneeded #foster #fosteringsaveslives #volunteer #rescue #animalrescue #veganforthem #adopt #adoptdontshop #adoptionisforever #emptycagescollective #emptycageshudsonvalley

We are honored to be the recipient of another generous grant from @sidewalkangels (SWAF). During these trying times, we have seen an increase in animal surrender requests, calls for help and rescue, we have said goodby to #volunteers and #fosters who moved away, and amid all this loss and grief, our team pushed through, changing up the way we interact with one another, and modifying adoption protocols. But, we have also seen a new interest in fostering and even a highlighted ...adoption interest for our guinea pigs, fancy rats, hamsters, and other small animals. The adopters have been eager to learn care and housing, and attentively worked with our adoption coordinators via Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime, as we guided them in setting up enclosures, conducting animal intro meetings post-adoption, and so on. With this thoughtful and generous grant, Sidewalk Angels is, once again, helping us continue our work to #rescue, #rehabilitate and #adopt, and cultivate a culture where #animals are recognized as fellow sentient beings, worthy of respectful and compassionate treatment. Thank you Sidewalk Angels Foundation!

Bubble and Squeak are bonded #cavy baby sisters, who love people and enjoy being held and petted. Squeak, little miss-in-charge, is vocal and active with a fluffy white body, and some orange and brown on her face. Her sister miss Bubble is calm and quiet, but also friendly and inquisitive. She is also a Calico, like her sister, but has her colors (white, orange, and brown) more equally distributed all throughout her lady curves. The girls are accustomed to fleece bedding and ...lots of floor time, where they love to popcorn and run around together in and out of their numerous huts, houses, and tunnels. They also love to chat with each other, and they enjoy settling down for a good sisterly bonding nap, side by side. Bubble and Squeak are young, just over 2 months old, in good health, and ready for their new lives to begin. Adoptable as a pair only, this sisterly duo is looking for a family ready to provide them the time, space, and love needed to bloom into their full-size adorable selves. If interested in meeting and adopting, please contact us at [email protected]

Our darling #cavy friends Henny and Chocolate Chip just went to their forever home! After being abandoned by their former families, to a city kill shelter, separately, we took them in, and provided them a loving #fosterhome. Skittish and afraid of touch at first, the two boys spent weeks in their foster home, adjusting to their individual roomy living enclosures, and daily out-of-cage time, in a large play-pen, with loads of tunnels, hiddy houses, and other #piggy fun items. ...As time went by, the boys became more confident, and once ready, they were introduced to each other. In no time at all, Henny and Chocolate Chip, aka Chippy, developed a friendship and looked forward to the time they could spend together. Once fully bonded, we started a search for their forever home. For well over a year, we received adoption inquiries but had people back out of adoption,once they found out that due to their past, especially Chippy's, the boys did not like to be held and picked up, andthat homes with young children were not a good environment for this pair. And while the boys made great progress in trusting their foster caretakers, allowing for grooming, enjoying petting once in the safety of a lap, we were looking for adopters who were willing tocarry out the task, responsibly and privilege of further helping the boys open up, and provide them with a stable, nurturing and loving forever home. It was a long wait, but it was all worth it! Henny and Chocolate Chip now have a human dad willing to give them the time, space, and care they need, and is ready to fully commit himself to their wellbeing. Have a marvelous life our darlings! It was such a pleasure to help you in your time of need, and finally see you on your way to a happy ever after.

Happy adoption day to our dearest friend Kiki! Rescued not long ago, Kiki received plenty of love in his #fosterhome, to make up for the abandonment and loneliness he felt while living in an old bodega, kicked aside, and left locked out outside too often. Aside from being idolized for his friendly and playful spirit by his foster parents, Kiki also received plenty of love from potential adopters, who were emailing us every few minutes it seems. Finally, the luck of this bea...utiful #kitty has changed, and now so many people were willing to welcome him into their homes, and show him the forever love he was sorely missing. With the magnitude of adoption inquiries and adoption applications, we were able to find him the very best fit, and since yesterday our love Kiki is home at last. Kiki now has a #doggy brother and two forever parens who vowed to love, protect and cherish him, for all of his might. Have a marvelous life our precious Kiki! It was such a pleasure to know you and help you on your way. ***The first picture was sent to us by his adopters, the second is of his adoption pick up (Covid19 adoption protocols), and the last two while in foster with us. #animalrescue #allvolunteerorganization #nokill #adoptdontshop #adoptionisthebestoption #adoptionisforlife #cats #blackcat #catsofinstagram #cattygram #blackcatsofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives #fosteringchangeslives #nyc #bronx #manhattan

Calling all lovers of #blackcats! Moxie is a big, beautiful girl and a total sweetheart. Despite being abandoned at a local kill shelter, Moxie arrived at her #fosterhome ready for rubs. She loves being petted and rubbed all over, from her head and neck to her bum and tail. Even her adorable, white-flecked belly isn't off-limits, as she often flops over happily to get a tummy rub too! Moxie just loves love, and she will practically fall over rubbing up against or head-butting... an available hand. At 11 years old, Moxie is a low-key #kitty who enjoys lounging on the bed, while awaiting her next petting or feeding session. Occasionally, she likes to playfully swat at some string for a bit, before transitioning back to full-blown love mode. She is a vocal lady and will be sure to let you know when she needs food, or attention, with her adorable squeaks and grunts. Moxie is passive towards the other #cats in her foster home and seems to prefer the company of people. We think she would do great as an only #cat, or in a quieter home with a feline friend, who would respect her personal space. Moxers is a gem of a kitty, waiting to bring her bountiful love to her forever home. She is 11 years old, already spayed, up to date on her vaccinations, and tested negative for FIV and Felv. If interested in adopting this sweetheart, contact us via email at [email protected].

It has been a busy season for #pigeon #rescue and #rehab! In the last few days, we were joined by two new friends, Rhea and Marlo, both in distress and in need of a safe place to recover. Rhea (pics 1, 2, and 3), suffering from reproductive issues, in her weakened state, became a victim of an animal attack or human cruelty, and had her feathers ripped off, and wing hurt and torn out of place. Marlo (pics 4, 5, and 6), similarly, got handicapped with a wing injury, and was una...ble to fly to safety, or provide for himself. Luckily for him, he was spotted by our volunteer, and taken into safety, before any more harm could have fallen on him. Both Rhea and Marlo are now safe, sharing the same #foster home (tho kept separately, for now), on pain medicine, and recovering slowly. Time will tell if their wounds fully heal and if they can be self-sufficient, and a candidate for release to one of our pre-established and daily maintained pigeon flocks. But, regardless of what the future brings, we have made a promise to be here, to help them on their way. #animalrescue #wildlife #wildliferehab #rescuerehabrelease #nokill #allvolunteerorganization #fosteringsaveslives #fosteringchangeslives #piegonsofinstagram #pigeonsofnewyork #pigeongram #birds #birdsofinstagram #veganforthem #veganfortheanimals #newyork #brooklyn

Foster home needed forour friend Kiki! Can you help us out? Kiki is neutered, up to date with his shots, negative for Fiv and Felv, and a total love bug to boost. He is young, friendly as can be, full of purrs and playful energy, and would do great in almost any home.... Contact our team [email protected] willing to help, and need more info on fostering. #animalrescue #fosteringsaveslives #fosteringchangeslives #adoptdontshop #adoptionisthebestoption #adoptionisforlife #forevercat #catsofinstagram #catsagram #blackcat #blackcatsofinstagram #nyc

Happy adoption day to our #guineapig friends Oreo and Milkshake! #animalrescue #adoptdontshop #adoptionisthebestoption #adoptionisforever #savealife #nokill #allvolunteernonprofit #guineapigsofinstagram #guineapigsofig #piggygram #cavysofinstagram #nyc

Our newest rescue friend Van Dame was brought to us yesterday after he was spotted on the ground, hesitant to move from the passebies, in distress. We quickly saw the reason for his state- badly swollen feet, due to human hair getting entangled all around them, cutting off circulation and skin. And while our new friend is expected to make a full recovery, with pain management and daily feet soaks for the next week or two, the human hair or lose strings, chemical pollutants, ...infections, and pigeon spike deterrents, often found around the city, are sadly the reason why so many #pigeons have foot problems, making it hard for them to function, get/find food, and take care of themselves. If they cannot keep their balance properly, pigeons will have trouble grooming, and will likely have ratty or missing feathers, or a buildup of debris on their body. This, in turn, puts them at a higher risk of being infected with parasites and less attractive to mates, and they often suffer issues from being lonely and frustrated. Also, due to lack of mobility, pigeons with foot issues often are not able to protect themselves from their natural predators, vehicles, and humans aiming to do harm. At ECC, we are motivated by a belief in #veganisam and #animalrights, and we work to promote a culture of compassion and respect that extends to every #animal. Until we live in a world that recognizes the value in all sentient beings, extending compassion and respect to all its inhabitants, we will do our best to be there for Van Dame and others like him, help out and provide sanctuary when it's needed. #animalrescue #nokill #rescuerehabrelease #wildlife #animalsmatter #fosteringsaveslives #fosteringchangeslives #brooklyn #nyc

Welcome miss Coco! Rescued a few days ago by our #volunteer, this lucky lady is now safe, warm, with a full belly, and a new chance on life. #animalrescue #rescuershabrelease #squirrel #squirrelsofig #wildlife #wildlifearenotpets #fosteringsaveslives #fosteringchangeslives #nokill #nonprofit #brooklyn #nyc

We are honored to be the recipient of another generous donation from @sidewalkangels (SWAF). During the trying time of Covid19, we have seen an increase in animal surrender requests, we said goodbye to fosters who moved away, heard heartbreaking stories of friends and past adopters losing their home, loved ones, and struggling to keep up with medical and vet bills, and daily obligations. Amid so much grief and distress, our all-volunteer team stayed committed to helping as ma...ny we could, changing up our adoption and foster protocols, and assisting those who sought our help. With this thoughtful donation, Sidewalk Angels Foundation is helping keep our spirits up, recognizing and lifting, just when we need it the most. Thanks to their continued support, we can continue our work to rescue, rehabilitate and adopt, and cultivate a culture where animals are recognized as fellow sentient beings, worthy of respectful and compassionate treatment. Thank you Sidewalk Angels Foundation! . . . Founded in 2003 by singer @robthomas and his wife, Marisol, SWAF is a benefactor and supporter of a number of #nokill shelters and #rescue groups throughout the country. Thanks to the continued support of this organization, and other generous individuals, we are able to continue our lifesaving work rescuing #cats, #kittens, #rabbits, #fancyrats, #dogs, #guineapigs, #hamsters, #fancymice, #reptiles, and many others from the streets, from hoarding situations, from laboratories, and from kill shelters. We can continue providing sanctuary and finding a safe placement for #chickens, and other #farmanimals, either abandoned or escaped from live markets, as well as continue rescuing and rehabilitating the urban #wildlife.

Puddin, Muffin, Cream Puff, and Donnie have been rehabbed and released! They came to us when only a few weeks old, separately, and with different ailments. After the initial treatment, and once it was safe to introduce them to one another, we allowed the birds to bond, and grow up with the help of each other. Daily, we watched them practice flight, take baths, groom each other, and choose to perch as high as possible, in the small Brooklyn bathroom, where they were staying. ...Once they got up to the window, they spent most of their time there, attentively watching the neighboring birds fly about, and imitating their sounds and behavior. Little did Puddin, Muffin, Cream Puff, and Donnie know, but those same birds, who talked to them just outside the window, have now become their flock. Released in a safe established feeding spot, just blocks away from their original rescue locations, our friends are back with their families, as well as a part of a larger flock, watched over, and maintained daily by one of our volunteers and rehabbers. We wish you a safe, happy, and long life our darling friends! We loved having you around, but love watching you fly free even more!

Say hello to our newest #rescue friend DaVinci. Rescued earlier today, unable to fly, soaking wet and stuck in a corner of a busy intersection, this lucky young #pigeon is now safe, with a full crop, treated for parasites, and getting ready for a good night's rest.... #animalrescue #wildliferehab #allvolunteerorganization #nonprofit #nokill #rescurehabrelease #pigeonsofinstagram #pigeonsofnewyork #birdsofinstagram #wildlife #animalsmatter #veganforthem #brooklyn #nyc

Rufus, aka the Big Orange Cookie Monster, has been adopted! Surrendered into a local kill shelter by the only family he knew, the gentle Rufus was very timid at first and slowly opened up in his #fosterhome. We worked hard to gain his trust, rebuild his confidence, and allow him to bond again, in order to start the search for a new home. Today, he continues his journey in his #foreverhome, but we are already getting great updates. His mom reports Rufus settling in well, openi...ng up more so with each new day, and that she has fallen completely in love, and is now fully dedicated to our friend Rufus. Have a great life our darling Rufus! It was such a pleasure to help you on your way.

Remember our #pigeon #rescue friend Puddin, found wounded and exposed on a busy #Brooklyn sidewalk? He is all grown up now (see pics 1-6), fully healed, and with the full plumage coming in, we can bearly tell he was ever hurt. During his recovery, his #fosterhome took in two more #birds that were rescued from the very same spot Puddin was. Muffin (pics 1, 7 and 8) and Cream Puff (pics 1, 9 and 10), who are very likely Puddin's brother and sister, were grounded on a busy sidew...alk, dehydrated, underweight, and infected with mites and louse flies. Quickly scooped up by our #volunteer, the duo received appropriate care, and after a week's worth of isolation, they were re-introduced to Puddin. The trio immediately bonded, and are now always seen perching high together, having baths in their foster home, practicing flight, and getting ready for the big day of their release, which we will share with you very soon. See more

Squidward and Patric have been adopted! Surrendered to a city shelter with 3 others, and transferred into our care when they were only 3 weeks old, the brothers were shy at first, but blossomed into affectionate, trusting, and playful #kittens during their stay in one of our #foster homes. Their dedicated foster parents spent time bottle-feeding, teaching the kittens all about cat hygiene, and made sure to provide daily multi play and cuddle sessions, to ensure their socializ...ation, mental, and physical development. And, in no time at all, an amazing #foreverfamily came along, and took up the mantle of the boys’ care and well-being. As with any rescue we undertake, we are elated that we had a part in the boys' lives, that we could provide them with a safe and nurturing home, and that we helped them find their forever humans. Have a geat life our loves, Squidward and Patric! It was such a joy having you around. (First three pics are from their forever home, and the last two are from when they first came to us)

S'morores, Tate, and Dorian have been adopted! Brothers to the four other #fancyrats in our previous post, the boys were surrendered into our care as an accidental litter. Once they loosened up and got used to their new #foster parents, the young #ratty boys showed us how they would like to be grouped up, and decided on their own pairings. We simply listened, and respected their social needs, and forever home preferences/requirements. Have a magnificent life our dearest frien...ds S'morores, Tate, and Dorian! It was our privilege to help you on your way, and make sure your #foreverhome will continue to prioritize the respect, love, care, dedication, and give you all the admiration you so rightfully deserve. See more

Over the past few months, due to Covid19, we had to change up our adoption protocols, and find a new way to keep up with the CDC recommendations. We halted all #foster home visits, performed FaceTime intros instead, so our adopters cold talk to our foster parents, get to know the adorable #fancyrats they have been approved to adopt, and ask anything they would during a foster home visit. We held orientations on care, housing, cleaning, and diet during this time, and checked o...ut our adopters' fancy #rats enclosures and play-pens, helped make them better or instructed on what they should get if they had none already. We finalized adoptions with either adopters coming to pick up, in front of our foster's home, or with our fosters going to adopters' door to drop off. We minimized all physical contact between our representatives and our adopters, and had adoption contracts signed and adoption fees paid online, ahead of time. Lastly, we are encouraging our adopters to do one final check-in, and FaceTime our adoption coordinators or foster parents, once the adopted animals are in their home. This way we can have another showing on how to best pick up and hold, and can repeat information and instructions on how to perform daily care or weekly home health checks. Pictured is the recent adoption of our #fancyrat friends Brody, Myles, Enzo, and Colt. Surrendered into our care as an accidental #ratty litter, the youngsters grew more adorable with each new day, and drew attention from many wannabe adopters. Most wanted to separate the already established groups, so we kept looking, hoping someone who values their set bonds, and natural living groups, and who is ready to commit to their care and wellbeing would come along. And, boy, did they! Experienced ratty mom, and first-time ratty dad pledged themselves to the boys, and eagerly worked with us during the adoption process. They have already made immense progress socializing and bonding with the boys, and we couldn't be happier with how this all played out. Have a wonderful life our darling friends Brody, Myles, Enzo, and Colt! It was a privilege to get to know you, and help you on your way to a loving forever home.

Looking for your very own miniature tiger? This little #kitten is your gal! Sandy is a beautiful, calico-tabby kitten with distinctive black stripes that make her look like a tiny tiger. Born mid-May, she and her littermates were found on the street and brought into a local kill shelter. Thankfully, they found their way to a #foster home for appropriate care, and now Sandy is growing and thriving with her littermates! The most independent kitten in the litter, Sandy she is on...e smart cookie. Though she enjoys playing with her brothers and sisters, Sandy isn't afraid to separate from the group and entertain herself. She enjoys activities like quietly exploring her surroundings, and batting a toy around solo. She is slowly learning how to play with her humans, and she has recently discovered that wand toys are a lot of fun! When she's feeling extra sassy, she will roll over on her side after catching her "prey" and bunny kick the toy for good measure. Due to her intelligence and independence, Sandy is a bit skeptical of new people. She'll do best with an adopter who gives her time to build confidence and trust in her new home. Once she gets to know you, she is as docile and sweet as can be. She'll often fall asleep in her foster mom's arms after a good meal, and she loves her ear rubs! Once she has settled in, we know Sandy will be an adorable mix of spicy and sweet in her forever home. We think Sandy would be happiest in a home with another friendly feline who is ready to make friends. With a little patience and a lot of love, she'll be a fantastic companion for people and #cats alike. Tested negative for Fiv and Felv, Sandy will receive her last set of vaccines, be spayed and microchipped, prior adoption. Contact us at [email protected] for adoption details, and a link to our adoption application.