Well, as you might imagine --despite almost uniform rave reviews--there was one sour note struck here, which, of course, is not surprising, since people are more likely to use Yelp to complain than to praise someplace
Humane Society of New York
306 E 59th St
(at 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 752-4840
(at 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 752-4840
- Nearest Transit Station:
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Lexington Av/59 St (N, Q, R)59 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)Lexington Av/63 St (F)
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun 8:30 am - 4 pm
50 reviews for Humane Society of New York
50 reviews in English
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Review from Leash F.
ASTORIA, NYI wish I could give HSNY 15 stars. Alas, I cannot, so I will settle for 5.
In February, during a particularly bad snowstorm, my girlfriend and I were hell-bent on getting a kitten, so we trekked out to the Humane Society. We told the front desk we were there to adopt a cat and they handed us two pages of paperwork. We met a man who conducted a short interview with us, and told us we could have a look around at the cats to see if we found one of interest. Immediately, we saw a cat named Parker. We told him to please put Parker at the top of our list. Bonnie, who heads up adoptions, doesn't work Saturdays, so he told us she would call us in the morning.
Bonnie called us first thing in the morning. She told us Parker was a difficult cat and she'd like to meet us. I was honestly so impressed with the importance they placed on finding the right home for a cat to insure they wouldn't end up back in the shelter. We met with Bonnie, who had Michelle let Parker out of his cage. Parker seemed to be just as crazy as she had warned, but we still wanted him. She said many people had wanted him before until they figured out he wasn't exactly a cuddly guy. Anyway, we picked up Parker the following Friday. He turned out to have some separation anxiety issues and would pee whenever we left, so I called Bonnie for advice. She had me call her every day to let her know how Parker was doing and thanked us for being so patient with him. He has since beat his little issue, and happily owns our home. He's also not crazy or rammy. Just a normal dude.
I have since begun volunteering with HSNY and have watched Bonnie take the same kind of care with each of the potential adopters who come in the door looking for their forever pet.
If you need to adopt an animal, I highly suggest going to the HSNY. There are some truly wonderful animals waiting for a home. They even have a kitty who has been with them since Hurricane Katrina in 2004. The animals are VERY well taken care of in every way! -
Review from Aria H.
Manhattan, NYThis review is specifically for DR MALKA, who did my female BUNNY RABBIT's SPAY, and for my sick male bunny, he did a check-up, x-rays, etc. I didn't see another review on rabbits so hopefully I'm helping another bunny lover.
Things to know, Dr. Malka is only there Tuesday - Friday, and on alternating Saturdays (spay/neuter only on Sat).
First, he will do a medical checkup to determine the health of your bunny before the spay/neuter. These appointments are ONLY available Tuesday - Friday, and he does NOT do surgeries on these days. The fee must be paid before he sees your bunny, and it is $50.
During the bunny physical, he asks very specific and detailed questions regarding diet, bedding, how often you change the water, how much you let your bunny out, etc. He takes your bunny's weight, heart rate, temperature, and pretty much performs a routine physical. The physical takes abut 30 minutes (if your rabbit is in good health), and in the case of my sick (boy) bunny, the checkup took about an hour. Dr. Malka was attentive, careful, and I did not feel like he was rushing or being hasty. After the physical, he explains next steps and care while your bunny is on the exam table looking around curiously, and explains what to do to arrange the spay. He checks his calendar and chooses the Saturday that works best for both of you. Then you go to the cashier and pay for the spay, because it must be paid upfront. At the cashier's window, they inform you that there is a separate cost of around $30 for pain meds, which can be bought after surgery. They let you know well ahead of time.
Now, onto the spay day. Dr. Malka is available every other Saturday. He ONLY performs the surgery on these Saturdays. The cost, which is paid upfront, is $100, and the cost for pain meds is about $30, which you pay for after surgery. The doctor will NOT do the surgery unless he has seen your bunny within the last month for the above described physical.
You will have been informed ahead of time to bring your bunny at 8:30am. When you arrive it will be crowded with no where to sit. Dogs will be barking; cats will be hissing. Let the receptionist know you have a bunny, and y'all will get to where there's less bunny-frightening chaos.
You wil leave your bunny at 8:30am and you must return around 4pm to pick him or her up.
It has been over a month since my bunny was spayed. She is happy, healthy, and less agressive. She was groggy on day one, but be sure to monitor that she is eating and drinking, and her grogginess is as groggy as we all would be after being fixed. By day two she was binkying and purring like her normal self. The only sign of a recent spay is the bare belly.
For my other bunny, I received medicine for him, and other treatment resources. I got to see his x-rays, and was not pressured to do more follow-up like dental work, which I plan to do soon. But Dr. Malka took good care of them and they were both comfortable after their appointments and were given their own space to hang out until I returned to pick them up.
Definitely recommend this place for a rabbit. For checkups, which should be about once a year, and for spaying. The total for the checkup, spay, and pain meds was $180--way less than what I tend to even pay for one pair of shoes (it is an unhealthy bad habit). Other places in the city to do rabbit spaying quoted me $300 or more! One got up to $575. If the city is so bent on lessening the number of shelter rabbits, perhaps they should consider offering the very surgery that could prevent it, at a more reasonable rate. But, I won't get into the politics of that. Humane Society offers the service just fine. I do love my bunnies, but think $180 is more than fair... How are we determining doctors' skills? Here's some gossip--Dr. Malka graduated from a better school than the doctor charging $575 and has worked with more bunnies than her too. So, yeah. -
Review from Evan R.
This is a great place! Having had cats for most of my life and having had many different vets, I can say this is hands down the best.
Yes, they are very crowded and its a pretty small place, but the are so caring and into the work. And the fees are very low.
The phone is a problem, but I think the best option is to prepay and get an appointment. It may cost more then the exam fee, but it will be one of the lowest prices in Manhattan.
And the wait and crowded-ness is worth it. -
Review from Lee W.
Manhattan, NYOK, the Humane Society does some amazing work and their fees are very reasonable. However the place is mobbed with people and pets so often there is no place to sit or even wait in the waiting room. There is no such thing as a 30 minute appointment here so don't fool yourself. Neuter/spay fees are low but you will pay the price in wait times. Apparently a recent heartworm written test result is required when doing a neuter/spay (not necessarily disclosed when making a surgery appointment so BRING YOUR PET'S PAPERWORK) or pay and additional $30 fee for a test.
All in all if you are super busy and want personalized top drawer service paying $700+ for a neuter/spay at a respectable Upper East Side vet is the way to go. Alternatively if funds are limited and you have the patience, determination, and will power to navigate the Humane Society then $75+ is your option. -
Review from Gwendolyn L.
New York, NYthey help you even when your low on money god bless them i dont know what i would done if they wasent to help me thank you -
Review from Marlene D.
New York, NYOk.... I agree: Reaching these guys over the phone will take a good amount of patience and persistence. Bring some more of it to your appointment, when you'll more than likely be waiting to be helped for at least an hour on average in their waiting area, which can become a bit of a hassle, especially when a pet owner decides to sit down there again after she put her cat down, 'howling' her eyes out, but....
38 bucks for an appointment is a STEAL!!!
I mean: Can you find any cheaper in NYC? No, you can't.
Staff is cordial and friendly. The vets are well trained and work fast, but are nevertheless conscientious with every pet and owner that they deal with. Kudos to the staff! (I love you, Dr. Hirschberg!) The business is run in a 'cut the crap' kinda way, and that is totally fine with me. All I care about is that I don't feel ripped off when I walk out and I never do.
I have been coming to Humane Society for a few years now, and I appreciate the good care and treatment that my beloved Boston terrier Max has received here. I intend to keep coming here for as long as my dog is alive. Thank God for affordable places like Humane Society. 15 bucks per vaccine... not bad at all.
For those of you that like to travel outside of the USA with their furry friends: You'll have to go someplace else for the required international travel documentation. They don't do that anymore.-
Yearbook portrait of my beloved Boston Terrier Max. Whoever…
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Review from C T.
Manhattan, NYWe had our dog neutered here recently and everything went very smoothly. The doctor and staff were caring and informative, the costs very reasonable, and the location was convenient.
Sure, you can expect a wait, to see other pets in the waiting room, as this is not a swanky luxury spa/vet office,but is down to earth, and appointments are key. These people genuinely love your animal as much as they love their many adoptable residents.
This organization provides caring services at costs which we as NY'ers truly need to be thankful for...
We weren't aware of the organization when we were looking to adopt, but got the recommendation along the way after we got our dog, and we're so glad we did.
The Humane Society of New York is a very special place run by very special people, concerned about care and wellbeing.
Thank you again to all of you. -
Review from Yelper S.
Manhattan, NYIf you go with the thinking that you get what you pay for, then my experience here was good. I'm not sure of the veterinarian's name, but I believe it was Dr. Schmid - nice tall man and although seemingly overwhelmed and rushed, did answer my concerns. I brought one of our furballs here, and the Dr put my mind at ease. He talked me through everything he was doing and asked for permission/stated prices before he proceeded.
The issue that most people seem to be having is with the front staff. Personally, yes the phone system is annoying, and I sometimes spend several days trying to get through. So if it's an emergency, you're better off just showing up and praying they'll squeeze you in. Yes you have to pay $40 upfront - but it's part of your overall visit, and really for the price and vet care, you can't get any better.
I've dealt with several people here, there is a young sounding guy on the phone who is very sweet and helpful. There is a nice young woman in the front desk who's also very stressed out it seems but is helpful and patient, and does her best to accommodate everyone. I wish I remembered people's names.
However there is an older woman who usually works the register, and I have witnessed her being very rude to visitors including myself. She seems to really hate her job and people. I understand it may be stressful, but honey most people's jobs are stressful and you're not making anyone's life easier by taking your anger out on others. Misery loves company I guess.
Unfortunately the staff is the image of a business, and I have to question the merits in keeping surly employees around that bully people. I was actually standing in line to pay, when the lady in front of me didn't step 2 feet away as the register/receptionist turned to her coworker and bad mouthed the sh*t out of her all in earshot! Who does this?! One time she was so rude, barking out impatient answers to me on the phone, I admit I hung up.
That said, the place is not very tiny. There is room to sit. Come on time, and make an early appointment. There will be lots of Chihuahuas to keep you company. -
Review from Matt E.
The NYC Human Society has been around since 1904, that should tell you that they must be doing something right. Whether it's taking in animals and caring for them, getting them adopted, or performing exams and surgeries for animals (not just cats and dogs), they're here for you and your pet. My cat needed surgery to have a bladder stone removed. I was given an estimate of $1,600 by my local vet which I couldn't handle. I did a lot of research on my alternatives and was led to the Human Society where they took care of my cat for less than half that price. I don't know if I would have afford to keep my pet if it wasn't for these people. If you can't afford the lost cost care they provide they can even work out payment plans with you to suit your situation.
The Humane Society isn't perfect though. The amount of help they provide and the space/staff they have is so out of proportion that the place seems to always be packed and hectic. The small waiting room is often filled to capacity with people and their pets waiting for their appointment, the exam rooms are cramped, and their phone lines are almost always busy. Luckily though I never felt rushed when I did get helped. The woman who originally helped me was stern and seemed to care more about animals than people but she gave me great advice that was better than what my vet told me.
If you've got the money to go to a more spacious, relaxed, personal vet that knows what they're doing, by all means go, but if you need more affordable care for your pet, the Humane Society is a fantastic institution.Listed in: Historic NYC -
Review from Athena C.
No pain no gain is the motto of using this vet hospital for me. Yes you have to use their horrible long voice system to make an appointment but once you finally reach a real human being, it is really not so bad. You have to book in advance and you have to be ready to pay over the phone, which means you cannot cancel easily but seriously, should not we be more committed anyway?
I took my Persian cat here for neutering service and it cost merely $42 here including the quick exam they performed. I was shocked at their low price because I have called 2 vets in my neighborhood (East Village) and also Bidawee and they all wanted more than $200 for the service + exam. I thought vets love animals?! How come they want to charge so much more for the same service?! Anyway, I showed up at the drop-off time at 9AM and had to wait a bit in the crazy waiting area, with dogs barking, licking and jumping but it is worth it. My cat got it done perfectly and he showed no sign of fatigue, nausea, etc.
I would go through the trouble to do it here for the price, quality of service and the friendly staff. Just don't expect this place to be all posh and high-end. -
Review from HH K.
Whitestone, NYI'm so glad the humane society exists. I have a 5 month old yorkie baby who had to get spayed, however, every vet around my neighborhood costs $280+ for surgery! We were really tight on money and didn't know what to do since getting her spayed would mean a healthier, longer life. Then I found out about the humane society. With proof of public assistance, I was able to spay her for $15! CRAZY! Not only that but they gave her the utmost care! For a mere $15, she was fully examined, spayed, nail-clipped, and was given the "cone of shame". $28 of pain medication was not included but that's just a fraction of the price offered at vet clinics.
For small dog owners out there who are worried about their puppy going under anaesthesia, go here. They spay/neuter small dogs daily and know what they are doing. They give very good advice and are truly there to help animals and low-income pet lovers. They also called me after the surgery to reassure my worrisome self that everything went perfectly. My puppy was 1000% fine and came out all happy to see me! She slept on the car ride home and for an hour more at home, but bounced right back to her normal self! I LOVE THE HUMANE SOCIETY!
One advice I would give though is to go there 30 minutes early before spay/neuter surgery. Their doors open around 8:00am but the vet does not start taking in pets until 9:00. It's a first come first serve basis so I'd advise to get there 30 min early and sign in immediately. I was the second one on the list so my puppy went in around 9:10 and the place quickly filled up after me. -
Review from Debbie M.
Massapequa Park, NYI have been taking my two cats and my dog here for some time.
Great prices
Doctors seem to care. My cat needs dental work, so I'll be spending all week on the phone waiting to talk to an operator for an appt.
I found out that Petco has a vet called veto on sat and Sunday all shots including rabies and deworming for 45 dollars no visiting fee.
Now this is what I HATE.
I can't seem to get anyone on the phone to make an appt. I've waited over an hour directed me to an answering service, left my name and no one called me back.
Also, no parking in Manhattan. Make sure you bring someone to wait in the car. -
Review from Travis L.
Financial District, NYYes, I use a private vet for my dogs on nearly everything but I have had one neutered and one spayed. Both were small dogs, under 4lbs at the time of procedure, which if you know anything about surgery can be a worrisome thing. Anyways, both recovered just fine and have had no complications.
Bear through the long call waiting and you'll be spending $15 instead of $300+
Just make sure you allot for the appt well in advance.
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