Ollie's Place New York, New York

I hate to give a rescue one star. If I was just rating our two visits to Ollie's, and the dedication of the volunteers, it would be five. However, trying to adopt was a completely different and sad experience. We filled out the application four weeks ago. Left two voicemails to follow-up. I'll never know what was 'wrong' with our application, because they didn't even give us the courtesy of responding. We are two financially stable professionals who work from home often and live in an apartment with window screens, cats ok on the lease, no other pets, no balcony, etc. We said we are anti-declawing, would hire a pet sitter when we travel (which is rarely), we have been prepping to adopt for months, and we were open to any and all advice. When asked what situations would cause us to give up the cat, we said we take this extremely seriously, so literally it would only happen if we both suddenly died, in which case our family would take her. What on earth could be wrong??? Anyways, read enough of the reviews of people who actually tried to adopt and you'll see a theme. So many of the cats have been there for years. It's baffling, but it really seems they would rather foster them eternally than adopt them out and rescue new cats. I hope this changes. At the very least, they should contact people if they reject an application. Or reach out if there are issues and have a conversation to clarify. Their current tactic does nothing but burn people with good intentions and stifle donations.

On E. 9th Street between Ave. A & First Ave. A great place to adopt cat's????????????

Best place in nyc to get a rescue cat!

This place is so cool ! Friendly staff and lots of awesome cats

They have a lot of cats for adoption. The volunteers are very friendly and helpful. They recommend cats that they feel might suit your lifestyle. They are also very knowledgeable about the cats in their care. It was a great experience.

Fell in love with a cat here and was hoping to adopt, but had an awful experience with an individual named John who was disrespectful and aggressive during a home visit. When he finally arrived at 3:30 for our 1pm scheduled visit, he said my application was strong, as I live alone and have no pets. I said I wanted to have an indoors-only cat. John became aggressive, saying, “What?? You’re saying you’d NEVER allow a cat outdoors to breathe fresh air and play in the grass?” I replied that I really think it’s safer for cats to be indoors, but maybe I could allow the cat out on a leash when visiting my mom in the countryside, but never in NYC. I was just trying to see things from his point of view, but it was a trap. He snapped, saying my application would be denied for considering letting a cat outdoors, then stormed out of my apartment. I felt hurt and offended by his rude manner and the way he twisted my words about my intentions of allowing a cat outdoors, when I was just trying to see things from a cat’s perspective. I have always been treated well by the volunteers at Ollie’s when I go in to play with the cats, so this was a super disappointing interaction and John’s behavior reflects poorly on Ollie’s / Mighty Paws as an organization.

Not able to connect ,no return toy call.

Ollie’s Place in East Village is a small non-profit cat adoption center that is run totally by volunteers. During the visiting hours the kitties have the run of the house which is a perfect environment for them to transition into forever home. Visitors have a chance to interact with them and ask questions. The place just got spruce up and now it looks spacious and beautiful with new cat furniture. The cats are happy, playful and well taken care of. Please note the center depends on $donation so un-opened cat food and supplies are greatly appreciated.

Ollie's is the perfect place to adopt a cat! The cats here are adorable and sweet, plus the volunteers are super friendly!

The owner of Ollie's Place would much rather keep these cats in the shelter indefinitely, denying applicants unless they fit his *personal* ideal candidate. The volunteers, who spend more time with the cats than the owner (who lives in NJ), all maintain that their cats will do so much better outside of the shelter in forever homes, and are excited for the cats when they are adopted. Unfortunately, it seems like the owner's whims matter more. If you want to pay Ollie's Place a visit, luckily the volunteers on all days there are great, some more knowledgable than others, but all more than happy to help you meet the cats and answer your questions.

A wonderful cat adoption center in the East Village! Cats are happy, well cared for, and clearly loved by all volunteers there.

A wonderful charity cat rescue organization that is like a little cat cafe everybody is so easy going and you can go send lot of time there. Be sure to give them a donation on your way out and if you are a local consider vulentering with them. It is a win win. You get to spend time with cats and help them out as well.

Horrible at updating their website

The staff and kitties here are the best people/cats I have had the pleasure of meeting. You get to just pet the cats and talk and I come here when I'm having a bad day to see Gretel because shes extremely soft and reminds me of my cat Scrappy at home. Great place, great people, and a list of every cat with a small description to make visiting and adopting better. 10/10

Trying to adopt from Ollie's Place was a demoralizing experience. Sweet cats though, and a couple of the volunteers were very nice to us.

Great place for cat-lovers to spend some time in a room full of felines. Ring the bell on the right side of the door to be permitted access. Try and leave a donation if you can, so these cats can continue to be cared for. =^w^=

Lots of wonderful cats, personalities and types..calico, tortie, Russian blue , scottish fold, and plain beautiful kitties. Volunteers very caring. Adoption process is very thorough, their return rate is maybe 2% at most.

In amazing place that does amazing things I visit here so often just to say hi to the cats they are so cute and the staff is so nice and friendly they will always let me into see the cats it is great and every time I go there it’s a different set of cats so they are really good adopting out cats and whether you looking to adopt a cat or just want some kitty time definitely drop by here and make some new friends you can also volunteer here if you are 18 also definitely donate and help these people on their great mission

The kittens are so cute

The cats are freely roaming whenever the shelter is open to the public. You can stay as long as you want and the volunteers will answer any questions you have about the cats and adoption.

Volunteers are very caring. The application process seems hard but when they explained these animals come from abuse or neglect and they are trying to find the best possible match for adoptee and adopter it made it easier for me to understand how the process works.

Ollie's is an amazing place that gives cats a chance to live in close to home environment before being adopted. It's mainly volunteer run and all the people working there love the cats and can advise to make the best choice based on cats' personalities. It's true that the adoption process is strict but I assume it's to make sure people do not return the cat back to the shelter and can provide them with a safe environment.

It seems as if this shelter does not want to let go of their cats. My partner and I spent plenty of time at this shelter and finally decided on a cat we wanted to apply for. We had a home visit, even bought all of the essentials the cat would need including screens for our windows. My partner and I are a young stable couple who were very excited to adopt for the first time. We were denied the same night of the home interview with no reason. If there was something preventing us from Being approve we would have gladly made the changes to our apartment in order to bring a cat into our loving home. You would think they would just want to see these cats go to a good home and if there was something that was preventing us from getting approved they should have talked to us and gave us a chance to make any corrections. This was a very strange and disappointing process.

Last night I visited Ollie's place on 9th Street and I have to give praise to the volunteers that work selflessly to provide shelter, food, water, and genuine love to all of the cats that I met with yesterday. Every cat seemed at home, comfortable, very well cared for and completely content in their environment. Kudos to staff that volunteers for such an amazing cause! Laura

Wouldn't adopt to me because I live in a balcony apartment. Am knowledgeable about animals, live in a stable home with one other pet, used to be a shelter volunteer and was deemed "too high risk" - the point is to give pets a good home and prevent the #s of animals being euthanized or on the street.... the chances of a balcony accident are pretty low... certainly lower than the many cats who are euthanized on a daily basis by city shelters. Seems like a reasonable risk. This made zero sense and was pretty infuriating.

I'm currently a volunteer. Cats are so sweet and loving. I have found all the other volunteers to be very knowledgeable and caring. Definitely worth a stop in even if just to say hi to the kitties!

Such a cozy place and full of love (and cats)!

Came here almost every week while in town for a summer internship. (Almost?) completely volunteer-run, this semi-hidden cat haven is what all cat adoption spaces should look and feel like; a cat cafe sans cafe. They've got the coolest people and the coolest cats under one roof, and they are quite possibly what I miss most about New York. I will be back, kitties.

Do not waste your time with this place. They do not want to really give the pets for adoption. Not to mention that the owner, John is rude and lack people skills and communication skills. He was actually talking us out of adopting the dog. Mind you that this particular dog is in their care for over 8 months, and he is not house trained because John said he doesn't have time to do so. If they really care for the pets they should do their job which is finding a home for the pets. We saw the dog online, sent an application, went to see the dog, spoke with John, told him that the issues the dog had didn't matter because we I loved the dog at first sight, and we would take him no matter what. We had everything they asked to adopt the dog (no kids, no other pets, etc...), but they still didn't approve us. Again, do not go to this place if you don't to feel angry and/or frustrated.