Empty Cages Collective

09/13/2024

COURTESY POST - Westchester NY

07/23/2023

Fluffernutter has been adopted!

From roaming the streets of Brooklyn, to the city shelter where she was brought as a stray, to one of our foster homes, Fluffernutter has had quite the stressful last couple of months. This sweet and mellow girl opened up at her foster home and showed us how badly she wanted to be a part of a family, and she found that today.

Now, she will have an older guinea pig sister, named Twix, and a human family of 4. They lost Twix’s companion a few months ago, and had been looking for a new friend for her. As knowledgeable guinea pig guardians, they understood that guinea pigs are social creatures who need companionship of their own kind, and the girls hit it off! It doesn’t get any better than this.

Have a wonderful life, Fluffernutter! It was an honor to help you on your way.

05/03/2023

Did you hear the news? The sale of guinea pigs in pet stores may soon be a thing of the past in NYC!

The last 3 years have been tough on all of us—for different reasons, and for some more than for others. One common factor shared among shelters and small animal rescues is that in this time we became inundated with pleas for help, after small mammals were purchased during the pandemic, and then were surrendered or abandoned when the world returned to the new normal.

While guinea pigs are often promoted as low-maintenance, “starter pets,” this is far from true. Guinea pigs require specialized care and a great deal of attention. They require a proper diet involving pelleted food formulated for the species, daily fresh greens, and unlimited access to hay and clean water. They require a spacious and enriched indoor enclosure, floor time to exercise and bond with their humans, regular grooming, proper handling, close monitoring for changes in health status, and visits to a veterinarian knowledgeable about the species. Guinea pigs are also highly social animals that need the company of other guinea pigs to thrive. Unfortunately, some people fall prey to impulse buying at pet stores or fail to do their research, and do not realize the kind of commitment that these animals require. Guinea pigs are not props, toys, or “starter pets” to teach children responsibility; they’re sentient beings with physical and psychological needs, who can live up to 8 or more years, and who need responsible and respectful treatment.

Adopting an animal from a rescue group such as Empty Cages Collective greatly reduces the IMPULSE BUY at the pet stores- a huge contributor to animal neglect, misinformation, abuse, and abandonment. Contact us at adopt@emptycagescollective if interested in either fostering or adopting!

On Tuesday, the City Council passed a number of bills.

01/05/2023

10/20/2022

Check out our foster boys Yoongi and Kookie, doing so well, and almost fully recovered.

Found days apart, the boys came from the same flock and were both grounded, unable to fly, weak, and in danger of predators and pedestrians. Kookie also has a leg injury, making it hard to move freely and nest properly.
When rescued, both had pigeon pox's characteristic wart-like lessons on their eyelids, beaks, and head, and while not life-threatening, it is highly contagious to other hits, so they needed to be separated, in a safe and clean foster home, allowed to recover, get strong, and safely pass the 4-6 weeks of the illness, that’s is also the time it takes for warts to scab off, and fall out. Luckily, they had the dry form of pigeon pox, and the lesions were on the outside only. Wet form tends to grow them in the throat, often resulting in suffocation.

Not, 3 weeks in, the warts have mostly dried out and fallen off (Kookie's beak mass has just fallen off today, and you can see the fresh pink on his face), and we get to see their beautiful faces, emerging character, and resilience.

Fingers crossed for a spring release!

09/05/2022

Our newest , baby Mochi is only 2-3 weeks old, and already in distress.

Fallen out of his nest, on a busy sidewalk, baby Mochi had more than passersby to fear.
His throat is filled with cheesy yellowish deposits, characteristic of the most common disease- canker. If unchecked, and treated, the yellow deposits would continue to grow, making feeding impossible, and restricting/cutting off airways.

And while baby Mochi is safe now, his recovery will be tricky, as we will need to scrape out the deposits at least once a day for the next few days, but his very young age and fragile state make it hard.

08/30/2022

Lilo and Stitch are our couple, rescued separately, but bonded during their recovery.

Lilo is a survivor of the Paramyxovirus virus, very contagious to other birds, and often deadly, that required long isolation time, medications, and daily tube feedings. She has the characteristic twisted neck, caused by the virus, and walks backward when stressed.

During her isolation, she was so stressed by her caretaker feeding her and cleaning her cage, that she never groomed herself, or was able to lift her twisted head off the floor. When taken out, months after her intake, and let to interact with other birds, she was bullied, attacked, and withdrew again.

Luckily, Stich came along and immediately designated himself her protector.
He is unreleasable due to a wing injury and is THE bossiest and most alfa male bird we ever had the pleasure to . Just check out that chest pump!

Now, our love Lilo is thriving with her hubs Stitch, living in their own large enclosure, making nests, taking baths, and is never again seen backed up in the corner, with her head twisted in distress.

04/08/2022

Foster home urgently needed!

Our Friend Firu, through no fault of his own, is losing his foster home and needs a place to move to, until he can be adopted. Please let us know if you can help.

Firu is around 3 years old, playful and affectionate, but he grew up in a home where he oftentimes felt unsafe, was played with aggressively, and was ultimately abandoned in a kill shelter, losing the only home and family he knew.
Despite it all, Firu wants to bond and is open to making new human friends. He loves people and attention, loves telling you about his day, and cuddling close. He just needs time to trust, in a peaceful home, where he will be given the space and respect to feel safe, and enough time to establish a real bond.
Help us help Firu find his new home.

Contact us via [email protected] to learn more about fostering and/or adopting, and to find out more about Firu.

11/23/2021

This holiday season, with so much doom and gloom upon us, and many people stressing with finances, inability to see loved ones, struggling with mental health, and other personal issues, we hope to allow you to catch a little break, and take a moment with us to reminisce over some good times.

Instead of asking for donations or gifts, we humbly ask you to share with us picture(s) of your animal family, that we helped you connect with.
So, if you have adopted with us, please post on your Instagram story/reel/post and tag us, and we will re-share. Our fosters put so much love and care into raising their charges, and oftentimes lose contact after adoption. Help us make their day, and bring a smile to all watching.
Show us your loved fury/hairless/feathered/scaley ones, and let us all celebrate this season of giving with love, admiration, respect, and compassion.

09/22/2021

Bodhi, now named Apollo, has been adopted!

From hopelessly roaming the streets of Brooklyn, charming strangers for a kind touch and a meal, and running away from those who meant him harm, this lucky kitty now lives the life of his dreams, with loving forever parents, and a home to call his own.

Have a wonderful life our darling friend!
It was a privilege to know you, and help you on your way.

08/26/2021

Our most recent Firu, pulled from the city shelter, is settling well into his home, and is ready to start the search for his .

Firu has a big personality and flashy looks to match! He is a lap and a purr machine, and he will grab your attention by jumping up on your lap, meowing, or head butting. His foster mom says he is a very vocal kitty with all kinds of silly noises to share, so if you are looking for a chatterbox buddy, he's your guy. He loves having his humans around him, and he just wants his own person to make him feel like the most special cat in the world.
He is active and inquisitive, and he is looking for a person, or family, who will be committed to keeping him entertained. He tends to feel a little insecure around other cats, so he would do best in a home with no other kitties. If you're looking for a best friend who plays hard and cuddles harder, consider making Firu your partner in crime! Also, did we mention he will lean in for kisses on his cute little pink nose?!

Firu is 2 years old, neutered, up to date with his vaccines, and tested negative for Fiv and Felv. All he is missing is a home and a family to call his own.
If interested in e-meeting Firu, and adopting, get in touch, and email us at [email protected].

08/08/2021

Did you know that today is International Cat Day?

While we at ECC think that everyday is a perfect day to celebrate our feline friends, today is one of the official days to show our appreciation for them. Cats make wonderful companions for those prepared to put in the time and effort to properly care for them and to provide for their physical and emotional needs. Cats are highly intelligent, adaptable, and even social, though they’re not always credited with this the way that dogs are. Given proper introductions and sufficient space, most cats can harmoniously live with other cats, dogs, rabbits, or ferrets, to name just a few species.

Cats are mainly nonverbal communicators but they can easily adapt to our homes and schedules, and tune in to us. All cat guardians out there know how amazing cats are, but for those of you who don't, consider giving cats a chance. You can become involved by fostering a cat or pair of kittens, volunteering with a shelter or rescue, or learning more about TNR and how to help community cats. You’ll be forever glad you did!

Email [email protected] if you’re considering adding a foster or forever cat to your home.