Animal Shelter Smithtown is located in Smithtown on Long Island in New York

Every Dollar Counts
A Look at How Your Donations Help at Hope For Cleo Animal Rescue

At Hope For Cleo Animal Rescue, we’re all about paw-sitive change for pups in need!

Our Mission:
Hope For Cleo Animal Rescue is a foster based nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity organization located on Long Island, New York. Our mission is to rescue abandoned and homeless dogs from high-kill shelter situations. We focus our efforts on pregnant dogs, nursing mothers, and orphaned puppies — those most at risk in overcrowded shelters.
 

Hope For Cleo is a animal rescue, not a animal shelter. That means we don’t receive any government funding to support our work — every vet visit, every bowl of food, every warm bed is made possible entirely through donations from animal lovers like you.

When you donate to Hope For Cleo Animal Rescue — you’re giving a homeless pup a real shot at a brighter future. Every dollar goes directly to the dogs who need it most.

 

Here’s a sneak peek at how your donations make tails wag:
 

Food and Supplies
Keeping our pups’ tails wagging starts with the basics — food, treats, toys, beds, leashes, collars, and grooming supplies Your donations help fill their bowls, keep their tails wagging, and provide comfy beds to curl up on while they wait for their forever families. Without your support, our supply's would be running on empty bowls!
 

Pup Check-Ups – Medical Care
Some pups arrive needing just a quick vet visit, but others need a full nose-to-tail makeover. From vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries to emergency life-saving treatments, medical costs add up faster than a puppy zoomie session. Your donations help ensure every pup gets the care they need to be healthy, happy, and ready for adoption.
 

Transportation
Whether we’re fetching pups from overcrowded shelters, heading to the vet, or rolling up to adoption events, transportation is key to our mission. Donations help cover gas, vehicle maintenance, travel crates, and safety gear to keep every ride safe and comfortable. Your support fuels the journey to their forever homes — literally!
 

Facilities & Volunteers
Running a rescue is more than just puppy cuddles (though we love those too!). There are bills to pay, lights to keep on, and a dedicated pack of volunteers who work tirelessly to care for the pups. Donations help cover facility costs like rent, utilities, and insurance, ensuring we have a safe, warm place for every wagging tail that comes through our doors.

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Marketing
To help our adoptable pups find their perfect humans, we need to bark it from the rooftops! Donations help cover the costs of adoption event materials, website upkeep, social media promotions, and more. The more people we reach, the more forever homes we can find!

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The Overlooked Essentials
At Hope For Cleo Animal Rescue, we don’t just fundraise for the pups — we also rely on donations for all the behind-the-scenes essentials that help keep the rescue running smoothly.
 

Things like cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and rescue-safe sanitizer (which helps keep germs at bay) are in constant demand. Then there’s daily maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to our kennels and play yards to ensure every pup has a safe and comfortable space to enjoy.
 

On top of that, we need basic office supplies — things like paper, ink, folders, pens, and even computer software to help manage adoptions and keep records organized. We also provide volunteer shirts so our amazing team is easy to spot at events.
 

Another essential part of keeping our rescue running is yearly accounting fees, which are required to ensure our nonprofit status stays in good standing and our finances are properly managed. While it’s not something most people think about when donating to a rescue, these professional services are critical to keeping our doors open and our pups protected.
 

We also rely on donations to cover rescue insurance, which helps protect the organization, our volunteers, and the animals in our care. This insurance is vital for ensuring that we can safely operate, hold events, and transport animals, all while minimizing risk and keeping everyone — both two-legged and four-legged — safe.
 

These everyday items and services might not always be in the spotlight, but they’re just as important as food and vet care when it comes to running a successful rescue. Your support helps us cover these often-overlooked essentials, ensuring we can focus on what matters most — saving lives and finding forever homes for our pups.
 

In Conclusion – Every Pup Counts
At Hope For Cleo Animal Rescue, every single donation — big or small — helps save lives. Whether it’s covering the cost of a lifesaving surgery, a bag of puppy food, or a warm bed, your generosity makes a direct impact.
 

We believe every dog deserves a second chance, and with your help, we can make sure no pup is left behind. If you’re looking for a way to fetch some good karma, consider making a donation today. Together, we can make the world a better place, one wagging tail at a time.

With paws and gratitude,
~ The Team at Hope For Cleo Animal Rescue