By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
MeowSquad NYC, a Queens-based animal rescue organization, is set to host its Second Annual ‘Halloween Spooktacular’ fundraiser on Friday, October 25, at 7:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Knights of Columbus, located at 78 Hempstead Avenue in Lynbrook. All proceeds from the evening will directly benefit MeowSquad’s rescue efforts and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, which aim to address the growing stray and feral cat population in New York City.
Founded in 2019 by Howard Beach resident Stephanie Castro, MeowSquad NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating cats in need. Since its inception, the organization has successfully rescued over 1,000 cats, often operating in high-need areas throughout Queens, Brooklyn, and parts of Long Island. The organization uses TNR techniques to humanely control feral cat populations, while also working with the community to find forever homes for cats that can be resocialized.
“We here at MeowSquad are thrilled to host our Second Annual ‘Halloween Spooktacular’ fundraiser benefiting our rescue,” said Castro. “Fundraisers like these are so crucial to our success – especially as the stray cat population continues to balloon in New York City. It has been a difficult year for MeowSquad – and so many of our shelters are overwhelmed. Let’s turn the spirit of Halloween into a night of hope for our feline friends. Your support at this event ensures that our cats get the care they need. It is my sincere hope the fundraiser will be a success for our community and our cats. We welcome anyone who would like to attend!”
Courtesy MeowSquad NYC
Tickets are $100 for those 21 and older, and $50 for younger attendees, available through Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal.
The family-friendly fundraiser promises an exciting evening filled with activities designed to engage attendees of all ages. Guests can look forward to a catered dinner, a live DJ, and an open bar, creating a festive atmosphere for all. A costume contest will allow attendees to showcase their creativity, while raffles and a silent auction will feature a variety of donated items, including a virtual makeup lesson with Lisa Poe, a professional makeup artist known for her work on hit shows like “Tell Me Lies” and “13 Reasons Why.” Other auction items include a DJI 4K drone, autographed New York Giants memorabilia, horseback riding lessons at Fox Breeze Farms, and numerous gift certificates to local businesses in Howard Beach.
Tickets for the Halloween Spooktacular are priced at $100 for attendees aged 21 and older, and $50 for those under 21. Tickets can be purchased through popular payment platforms such as Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal.
“MeowSquad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, not based in Howard Beach, and we are dedicated to reducing the large stray and feral cat population,” Natalia Trapani, Volunteer said. “We serve Queens, sometimes Brooklyn and sometimes Long Island where there’s a need, you know, we try to help where we can.”
MeowSquad’s volunteer coordinator Trapani, emphasized the importance of community support, particularly in light of the challenges faced by animal rescues this year.
“We work with the community to find our cats that can be re-socialized and relocate those to safe working environments,” Trapani said. “We are completely volunteer-run so everyone, every member of MeowSquad, does it for the love of animals. We recently started to try to expand and find different ways to raise funds for the rescue. We typically have one to two fundraisers a year. So this is our big one this year.”
Local officials have also recognized the importance of MeowSquad’s work. Council Member Joann Ariola expressed her strong support for the organization,
“MeowSquad NYC is a fantastic organization that has done so much for our four-legged friends – especially here in Queens,” said Council Member Joann Ariola. “From rescuing cats from dangerous situations, to finding loving homes for our feline friends, I am proud to have allocated $5,000 in support of their invaluable work. I wish them a Halloween Spooktacular fundraiser, filled with much success and joy. Together, let’s continue to make New York City a better place for both its human and feline residents!”
In addition to the upcoming fundraiser, MeowSquad has plans to expand its initiatives in the future. Trapani highlighted the organization’s goal of acquiring a larger holding space to accommodate the increasing number of cats needing help.
“It has been a tough year for our rescue and for all rescues across New York City,” Trapani said. “Donations have generally been slower this year, maybe because of the economy, for one reason or another.”
Community members who cannot attend the event can still contribute through donations or by volunteering their time. MeowSquad is always looking for dedicated individuals to assist with various tasks, from social media management to hands-on support at the holding space.
Courtesy MeowSquad NYC
MeowSquad NYC is hosting its Second Annual ‘Halloween Spooktacular’ fundraiser on October 25 at the Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook, with proceeds supporting their rescue and TNR programs for stray cats.
“We’re absolutely always looking for volunteers, anything from social media to helping us with our holding space, to marketing to data entry,” Trapani said. “Attending this fundraiser is a great way of supporting our cause and helping cats in our care and cats that will come into our care eventually.”
For those interested in supporting MeowSquad NYC, details about the fundraiser and volunteer opportunities can be found on the organization’s social media pages. With community support, MeowSquad aims to continue its mission of making a positive impact on the lives of cats in need throughout New York City.
“We want to get to a place where we have a larger holding space so that we can accommodate the growing need of cats across New York City and especially in Queens,” Trapani said.
Tickets for MeowSquad NYC’s ‘Halloween Spooktacular’ are now on sale, priced at $100 for attendees aged 21 and over, and $50 for those under 21. Tickets can be purchased via Venmo (@Meowsquad), CashApp (@MeowsquadNYC), or PayPal (@MeowSquadNYC).
