35 Years of Helping the Animals!

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​It is unbelievable that this year is our 35th anniversary.  We are a small rescue but continue to help when and where we can.   Another year has flown by and our rescue efforts have not subsided.

 

2025 began with heartbreak at the hands of an alleged animal abuser. One little guy lost his leg and one little guy is still lost in our community. This kitten season brought more bottle babies than we have ever seen. While people are attempting to do right by these babies, always be aware that the mother cat may still be near by. A nursing mother is any kitten’s best chance at survival. Our bottle feeding is a close second but the work it entails is unparalleled, limiting our abilities to help other cats in need. Thanks to you, our strong support system, we continue to soldier on saving lives and finding homes, one cat at a time.

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Unfortunately, 2025 brought and overflow of animals all over New Jersey.  We have had to turn people away due to the our overflow of intake.  This is something that breaks our hearts, not being able to take in these animals in need. The best we can do is recommended Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) these souls back to the locations they were found. After all TNR is the reason, this group was started over 35 years ago.  Homeowners can continue to feed these babies, while ensuring no new babies are born.  We cannot help them without your help and the help of the local communities. We can help stabilize the colony by altering, vaccinating and giving any medical attention needed. If you or know anyone one feeding unaltered stray’s, we beg you and your community to educate on TNR. All of us need to help reduce the current over-population of strays.  Please, please, please get them altered before the next litter.  Don’t wait until you see kittens!

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Hoarding animals, over breeding and dumping animals has been a major problem these last few years. All of these issues have caused an overflow of animals in shelters and rescue groups its a cruel, vicious and brutal cycle. Dumping friendly unaltered cats not waiting for help, we know sometimes its hard and takes time.  Check with you town and see if the offer a Trap, Neuter and Return program, or they can offer resources that can help.   S.T.A.R.T. helps where we can, taking Mom’s and newborn babies though many of these cats have serious issues.  Colonies with unaltered animals causes in-breeding, still born kittens, mothers with no milk and birth defects. 

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​​​​ S.T.A.R.T. refuses to let down the four-legged community.  We are thankful for the generosity of so many that have provided financial support for our fur-babies during this challenging time. As everyone knows, these past years have put a strain on all of us!  While all of our lives have changed, the one constant for us has been our rescue life.  We never forget that our fur-babies will always need our help, to give them a chance for a better life.  

 

​And don't forget!! S.T.A.R.T. holds  "Meet and Greet" adoptions at Petco in Totowa!  We pride ourselves on never releasing an animal for adoption until it is fully vetted and altered.  If you are thinking of adopting, please consider the shy, hard to adopt cats!!  They all need love and they all adapt to new environments given time.

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Please don’t forget the shy cats or the cats that just hate adoptions and hide under their beds when considering a cat for adoptions, they all need patience and they all adapt to new environments given time. The fur-babies still need our help to provide them with a chance for a better life. 

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Thank you for your ongoing support!

Wishing you a Joyful and Healthy 2026

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FOSTER AND FOREVER HOMES ARE NEEDED! 

S.T.A.R.T. relies 100% on foster home care for the animals waiting for their forever homes. Foster homes are what help to carry out the organization's mission, but a forever home is what is needed to help decrease the vast number of homeless animals.   S.T.A.R.T. is reaching out to you as caring, responsible animal lovers, to open your hearts and your homes to one of our abandoned homeless companion animals.  Volunteers that can offer their home as a temporary residency for some of our homeless animals are always needed.  Send us an email!!

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​Colonies are a big part of our work.  It is important to maintain sterile colonies of cats. Colonies are fed every day no matter what the weather, and, when needed, medical care.  Along with many volunteers taking care of local colonies of their own.

 

We can only hope that you spay and neuter your pets.  With your help we hope to reduce the overpopulation in our communities while diminishing the homeless and hungry animals.  Again, we thank you, our friends and supporters, for your continued and lasting support, our animals count on each one of you.  

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Sincerely, 

Annette Lamberti

S.T.A.R.T., Save The Animals Rescue Team

The original "S.T.A.R.T." established in 1991