A Queens-based animal rescue is hosting its second annual ‘Halloween Spooktacular’ Fundraiser.
MeowSquadNYC, a Howard Beach-based volunteer nonprofit dedicated to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for stray and feral cats, is hosting a fundraiser at Knights of Columbus, located at 78 Hempstead Ave. in Lynbrook, on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
Tickets to MeowSquad NYC’s ‘Halloween Spooktacular’ are now available for purchase. Tickets are $100 for 21+ attendees and $50 for attendees under 21. Interested parties can purchase tickets via Venmo(@Meowsquad), CashApp (@MeowsquadNYC), and Paypal(@MeowSquadNYC).
All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit MeowSquad’s rescue and TNR efforts. The family-friendly fundraiser will include a catered dinner, a live DJ, an open bar, a costume contest, raffles, and a silent auction. Attendees entering the raffle and silent auction can win an array of prizes, including a virtual makeup session with Lisa Poe, the make-up artist for “Tell Me Lies” and “13 Reason Why”, a Dji 4K drone, and autographed New York Giants memorabilia.
Additional prizes include a horseback riding lesson or trail ride at Fox Breeze Farms, a pet communication reading, a family play package at Launch Trampoline Park in Queens, a family paintball package at Cousins Paintball, and several gift certificates to local businesses in Howard Beach, including Gino’s, Lenny’s Clam Bar, Bruno’s, and La Villa.
Howard Beach resident Stephanie Castro founded MeowSquadNYC in 2019 to reduce her area’s large stray and feral cat population through TNR techniques. The nonprofit also works with the local community to find forever homes for strays that can be re-socialized or relocate cats that cannot be socialized into other safe environments. Since its inception, MeowSquadNYC has rescued more than 1,000 cats, predominantly in Queens.
Castro said in a statement that fundraising efforts are crucial to continuing to address the growing stray cat population 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 our cats get the care they need. I sincerely hope the fundraiser will succeed for our community and our cats. We welcome anyone who would like to attend,” said Castro.
Council Member Joann Ariola(D-32), who has previously supported MeowSquad during a summer-long pet-supply drive for local animal rescues, said the rescue is an essential fixture for the local community.
“From rescuing cats from dangerous situations to finding loving homes for our feline friends, I am proud to have allocated $5,000 to support 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,” Ariola said in a statement.
