Little Shelter

What Little Shelter does

Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1927 by Anna Hunninghouse in Huntington, New York, operating as a no-kill animal shelter since 1990. The organization rescues dogs and cats from municipal kill shelters across Long Island and New York City, providing temperament assessment, veterinary care, vaccinations, spay/neuter, socialization, and rehabilitation before placing animals in permanent homes. As of 2023 the shelter had placed thousands of animals over its 96-year history and currently cares for more than 400 animals at any given time, supported by a 6-acre Huntington main site, a 110-acre upstate New York Sanctuary for non-adoptable dogs, and a contracted operation of the Town of Huntington Cat Shelter.

Name

Little Shelter

Legal name

Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center

Website

https://littleshelter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Little Shelter is a 501(c)(3) no-kill animal rescue and adoption center founded in 1927 in Huntington, NY, serving Long Island and New York City with core adoption services plus veterans, seniors, feral cat, literacy, and pet therapy programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue & Adoption Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Pet adoption services
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Humane society services
• Pet shelter operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Little Shelter relies heavily on tax-deductible donations from individuals. Donations can be made online, by mail, by phone, or in memory/honor of loved ones.
2. Pet Adoptions: Revenue generated from adoption fees for dogs and cats placed in forever homes. Standard adoption process includes screening, references, and veterinary checks.
3. Bingo Fundraising Events: Weekly bingo games held at 110 Bingo Hall in Melville, with 100% of profits going to Little Shelter. Games on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays with prize payouts.
4. Pet Sponsorship Program: Monthly sponsorship program allowing donors to support specific animals. Sponsors receive triannual updates on their animal and monthly organizational updates.
5. Pet Supply Donations: Donations of pet food, supplies, and wishlist items. The Animal Soup Kitchen program accepts food donations specifically for destitute pets.
6. Dedication Bricks: Personalized memorial bricks sold to honor, dedicate, or memorialize people or pets. Proceeds support shelter operations.
7. Vehicle Donations: Donated vehicles are accepted through charity car programs, with proceeds benefiting the shelter.
8. Bequests and Estate Gifts: Charitable bequests and estate gifts allowing donors to support the shelter beyond their lifetime.
9. Corporate Matching Gifts: Many employers match employee donations to the organization, doubling the impact of individual contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Little Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue and adoption center that rescues dogs and cats from kill shelters on Long Island and New York City, providing them with veterinary care, behavioral evaluation, spay/neuter, socialization, and rehabilitation before placing them in permanent homes. The organization also runs a 110-acre upstate New York sanctuary for non-adoptable dogs and operates community programs including pet therapy, a school reading program with therapy dogs, feral cat trap-neuter-return, and free adoption programs for veterans and senior pets.

Product overview

Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center is a nonprofit animal shelter offering a comprehensive portfolio of animal rescue and adoption services. The core offering is animal adoption (dogs and cats), supported by programs including Municipal Shelter Rescue (rescuing from kill shelters), Passage to Freedom (international rescue), Feral Cat Initiative (TNR program), and Foster/Volunteer programs. Community programs include Humane Education, Reading Program (with Reading Assistant Dogs), Pet Therapy, Companions for the Courageous (Pets for Vets), Silver Paw Connection (senior pet adoption), and Animal Soup Kitchen (supporting impoverished pet owners). Facilities include the 110-acre Sanctuary for non-adoptable dogs and Sheltervale Pet Cemetery. Fundraising programs include Bingo, sponsorship, and various donation mechanisms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Silver Paw Connection: A program dedicated to finding homes for senior dogs and cats over 8 years of age.
• Companions for the Courageous
• Animal Soup Kitchen (ASK)
• Passage to Freedom
• Sheltervale Pet Cemetery
• Little Shelter Sanctuary

Products and services

• Animal Adoption Services Dog and cat adoption services placing animals into loving forever homes. The shelter conducts behavioral evaluation, socialization, and training for all animals before adoption, with comprehensive adoption process including pre-interview, reference checks, veterinary checks, and meet-and-greet requirements.
• Municipal Shelter Rescue Rescues animals from kill shelters on Long Island and New York City. Each animal receives temperament assessment, veterinary exam, vaccinations, spay/neuter, socialization, and rehabilitation before being placed for adoption.
• Passage to Freedom Program International rescue program that transports animals from areas with overpopulation issues such as Puerto Rico to areas where they can find homes, providing medical and behavioral evaluations and personalized attention.
• Feral Cat Initiative Humane trap-neuter-release program that helps reduce feral cat colony sizes through attrition, reduces nuisance behaviors, and lowers costs associated with shelter housing and euthanasia. Manages the Town of Huntington Cat Shelter.
• Humane Education Program Educational workshops for children in public and private schools, scouting organizations, and early intervention programs teaching animal care, compassion, and respect for all living things.
• Reading Program Literacy program operating in five local elementary schools where previously adopted dogs trained as Reading Assistant Dogs work with 110 students weekly who show stress and anxiety toward reading.
• Pet Therapy Program Program where specially trained dogs visit three assisted living facilities and Northport VA to provide comfort to elderly residents and disabled veterans, bringing back joyful memories and encouraging positive social interaction.
• Companions for the Courageous (Pets for Vets) Free pet adoption program for qualifying U.S. Veterans launched on Veterans Day Weekend 2014. Includes free spay/neuter and microchip implant upon proof of veteran status and meeting standard adoption criteria.
• Silver Paw Connection Program for senior dogs and cats (60% or more of shelter residents are Silver Seniors over 8 years). Waives adoption fees for senior pets to promote age-appropriate adoptions.
• Animal Soup Kitchen (ASK) Program providing free pet food, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and medical treatment to impoverished, sick, disabled, and elderly pet parents to prevent animal surrenders.
• Foster Opportunities Volunteer foster program for short or long-term medical care, weaning puppies and kittens, behavior rehabilitation, and animals needing extra attention. With over 400 animals, foster families provide homes based on their lifestyle.
• Little Shelter Sanctuary 110-acre sanctuary in upstate New York for non-adoptable dogs with behavioral or medical issues. Features rooms styled like apartments and a 2.5-acre pond. Provides continuous training, socialization, and rehabilitation until adoption.
• Sheltervale Pet Cemetery Serene pet cemetery on the shelter grounds where beloved animal companions can be memorialized. Proceeds fund Little Shelter's rescue and adoption programs.
• Bingo Fundraising Weekly bingo games at 110 Bingo Hall in Melville, held every Monday, Friday, and Saturday. 100% of profits go to Little Shelter. Voted Best Bingo on Long Island for five consecutive years 2021-2025.
• Sponsor-Me-Please Program Pet sponsorship program allowing donors to support animals they cannot adopt by making donations in the animal's name. Sponsors receive triannual updates on their sponsored animal and monthly updates about the organization.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer program requiring minimum age of 16 years and minimum 6-month commitment. Volunteers can apply and contribute to various shelter operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 animals cared for at any given time
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Best Friends Animal SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational animal welfare organization collaborating with Little Shelter on community initiatives. Little Shelter worked with Best Friends during the COVID-19 pandemic to help community members and their pets during isolation.
• Town of HuntingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Shelter manages the Town of Huntington Cat Shelter, providing free spays and neuters for feral cats returned to outdoors for Town residents.
• NBC New YorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular media partner for adoption awareness campaigns and 'Clear the Shelters' initiatives. Little Shelter appears regularly on New York Live show.
• 110 Bingo HallminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for Little Shelter's weekly bingo fundraising events. 100% of bingo profits go directly to Little Shelter.
• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Wishlist allows donors to purchase needed supplies directly for the shelter through the organization's Amazon wishlist.
• ChewyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChewy wishlist allows donors to purchase pet supplies that are shipped directly to Little Shelter.
• iGive NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline shopping portal where purchases from 2,100+ stores generate donations to Little Shelter at no cost to shoppers.
• 1-877-Charity CarsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation program allowing donors to contribute used vehicles with proceeds benefiting Little Shelter.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• North Shore Animal League America: The world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, also headquartered on Long Island. Directly comparable as a fellow no-kill rescue offering dog and cat adoptions, municipal shelter rescue partnerships, and community programs in the same geographic market.
• Bideawee: Established New York-area no-kill animal welfare organization founded in 1903, operating adoption centers, pet therapy, and senior pet programs. Comparable as a legacy no-kill shelter with multi-generational community programs and similar fundraising structure.
• Kent Animal Shelter: Long Island-based no-kill animal shelter in Calverton, NY, providing dog and cat adoptions and rescue services. Direct geographic peer serving the same Long Island adopter and donor market with similar no-kill philosophy.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: National 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization with adoption, rescue, spay/neuter, and anti-cruelty programs. Comparable as a large-scale nonprofit animal welfare organization, though operating at much greater national scale and with broader mission scope.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization and confirmed Little Shelter partner. Comparable operating model (no-kill rescue, adoption, sanctuary), with much larger national footprint and additional sanctuary capacity in Kanab, Utah.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): National animal welfare advocacy and protection organization. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) with animal rescue and adoption policy focus, though primarily operating through advocacy, grants, and shelter partnerships rather than direct shelter operations.

Regional players

• Town of Huntington Animal Shelter: Municipal animal shelter in Little Shelter's home town of Huntington, NY, which Little Shelter actually manages for cat operations. Directly comparable as a local government animal shelter in the same service area.
• Suffolk County SPCA: Regional animal welfare and law enforcement organization serving Suffolk County on Long Island. Comparable geographic peer operating in the same county with animal rescue and adoption mandate.
• Animal Care Centers of NYC: NYC's largest open-admission animal shelter system, partnered with Little Shelter through Municipal Shelter Rescue. Comparable urban-area shelter serving overlapping adopter markets and receiving rescued animals from Little Shelter's rescue pipeline.

Emerging players

• BISSELL Pet Foundation: National nonprofit pet welfare organization supporting shelter pets through adoption events, spay/neuter programs, and Empty the Shelters campaigns. Comparable as a grant-making and program partner for adoption-focused shelters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/littleshelter
• Facebookfacebook.com/LittleShelterAnimalRescue
• Instagraminstagram.com/littleshelter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/little-shelter-animal-adoption-center-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Little Shelter