Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons

In 2023, ARF built on its commitment to animal welfare, thanks to the completion of our upgraded facility in East Hampton, NY, at the end of May. This expansion enabled us to resume full-scale shelter operations and significantly enhance our capacity to care for animals in need. ARF, in partnership with the Town of East Hampton, proudly maintains our area as a no-kill community, providing all cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens with a safe haven until they find loving homes.In 2023, with our expanded space fully operational from June - December, we were able to increase adoptions to 357 animals, provide medical care to 573 animals, and welcome 457 animals from a mix of local surrenders, strays, our Operation Cat (Op Cat) program, and transports from high-kill shelters in the Southern United States. This success speaks to ARFs enduring commitment to the well-being of animals in our community and beyond.ARF's success rests on our three-pronged approach to care - a holistic model that balances medical treatment, behavioral support, and daily care for each animal.Medical Care: Every animal that comes to ARF receives comprehensive medical attention to ensure they are healthy and ready for adoption. In 2023, our medical team treated 573 animals, offering services from vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures to emergency surgeries for critical injuries. Through ongoing partnerships and expanded facilities, ARF is committed to providing top-tier medical care, including consultations with board-certified specialists when needed.Behavioral Support: Recognizing that behavioral health is key to adoptability, ARF has increased our dedication to training, logging over 1,500 hours of behavioral support in 2023. This increase allows us to address stress, anxiety, and trauma, creating individualized care plans to build confidence and reduce the animals' length of stay or help newly adopted animals remain in the home. This training provides the tools for animals to develop positive behaviors, increasing their chances of successful, lasting adoption.Daily Care and Enrichment: ARF emphasizes a nurturing, enriched environment to support animals mental and physical well-being. With the new facility, weve enhanced our daily care routines to include enrichment activities that encourage play, socialization, and stress relief, which are critical for the animals happiness and adjustment. These daily practices help animals remain calm and sociable, increasing the likelihood of adoption.Additionally, our Operation Cat (Op Cat) program continues to be an essential service for the community. Established in 1997, Op Cat is a pioneering trap/neuter/return (TNR) program that has spayed/neutered over 33,000 feral cats from Montauk to western Suffolk County. In 2023, ARF performed over 269 free spay/neuter surgeries for feral cats through Op Cat, providing critical support to manage the local feral population humanely.Through our upgraded facilities, enhanced staff training, and comprehensive care model, ARF continues to make a significant impact. The three-pronged approach not only improves quality of life for each animal but also increases successful adoptions, benefiting both the animals and the adopters. As we move forward, ARF remains dedicated to serving our community, actively reducing shelter stays, and rescuing animals from high-risk environments across the country.