Exploring the Wonders of Animal Kind in Hudson, NY: A Must-See Destination for Animal Lovers"

February 1, 2024

Jesse Angelino/Porcupine Soup

HUDSON―Seven hundred twenty-one Warren Street in Hudson might look like just another building along a row of historic homes and businesses, but to the cats and dogs that wander our streets it has been a second chance at life for more than 23 years.

Tina Macina, a former dentistry worker turned dedicated director of operations at AnimalKind, recently welcomed me for a tour of the non-profit’s shelter there. It was an edifying inside look at what this brilliant and caring non-profit animal welfare organization does for the feline and canine citizens of our communities.

AnimalKind founder and Director Katrin Hecker also took time to chat with me about the group’s origins, everything they have achieved, and future goals.

A registered nurse, Katrin first moved to Hudson from Manhattan back in 1995. While exploring her new home, she began to notice shockingly high numbers of cats―sometimes as many as 30 to an alleyway, all living feral lifestyles. Some of them were sick, injured, pregnant, or malnourished.

Feeling a call to help the voiceless, she began to flit about the city by motorcycle providing them with food and clean water. After some time, she was joined by others who also wanted to make a difference.

Katrin is a proponent for what she calls TNR, or “Trap, Neuter, Return.” It’s a practice that helps curb overpopulation in the animal community. She tells me that a female cat can start breeding as early as six months old and have up to three litters of four or greater each year.  Without being spayed, one female cat can birth up to 200 kittens during her lifetime and there are an estimated 50 million stray and feral cats in the United States alone.

Tina Macina, director of operations at AnimalKind, along with Mars who is currently up for adoption.

Cats enjoying cozy quarters and a good meal at AnimalKind in Hudson.

Unfortunately, there are not enough homes to accommodate them all, but by spaying or neutering AnimalKind can at least control how many cats they can offer a better life. This was the next step for Katrin’s growing service in 1998 to 2000, with the purchase of a former church to operate out of and to surgically sterilize animals so their offspring were not destined for a life on the street, in crowded shelters, or worse.

In 2007, Vivian Kimmelman, current advisory board member at AnimalKind, donated the building that currently serves as the organization’s adoption center and offices back after Katrin assisted her with 60 cats that had taken over her backyard.

In 2012 the building suffered a fire but thankfully no animals or people were harmed. Unfortunately, the sprinkler system that was activated during the fire could not be shut off for three days, causing water damage that seriously compromised the integrity of the walls and ceilings―some of which collapsed.

At that time, the ASPCA stepped in to assist in a tremendous effort to not only repair the destruction left in the fire’s wake but also reoutfit the shelter with an infirmary, cages, and enclosures that would serve as healthier environments for the animals that live there. They also provided equipment, including a new veterinary X-ray machine and Chevy Express van to transport rescues― all to the generous tune of $400,000.

Today, AnimalKind also offers microchipping, emergency boarding, and low-income veterinary assistance, in addition to their spay/neuter clinic. They also help with emergencies and recently took in a mother dog and her eight puppies who were rescued in Cairo.

Each year they place more than 1,000 animals in loving homes, rescue over 1,200 stray or abandoned animals, spay/neuter an estimated 2,000 animals to reduce overpopulation, and help some 1,000 low-income pet owners keep their furry friends.

A couple looks at some of the cats available for adoption at AnimalKind in Hudson.

During Tina’s tour of the building, I was delighted to see both indoor and outdoor enclosures furnished with clean beds, full dishes of various foods all tailored to specific diets for the animals, and abundant items for playing all behind high glass barriers that allow visitors to see and interact with these tiny survivors.

Katrin has traveled across Columbia and Greene Counties, and further. She was once called to Schoharie County for the arduous task of catching 32 cats whose owner had been evicted and soon would have nowhere to go.

Some cases closer to home are even more challenging. Like when her volunteers rounded up a colony of cats that numbered 150 strong down at the old cement factory on Route 23 in Hudson. Yes, you read that correctly―150 cats.

“I think it took me like two years to spay and neuter them all,” Katrin remarked.

While this line of work can be extremely difficult at times, the rewarding experience of saving an animal's life and working with that animal daily to give it something better is a feeling known only by these focused and committed individuals.

“Unconditional love is something we can learn from these animals. Look how forgiving they can be,” Katrin said. “They could hate people for whatever they have been through, but it does not take much love for them to blossom again”

“An animal exists in the moment, the now. They will always appreciate what they have right in front of them and don't carry resentment,” she says. “And that's what I love about them the most.”

Volunteers are always welcomed at AnimalKind and extremely appreciated. People come to help by taking photographs for the adoption website, replacing food and water dishes daily, and assisting at the downstairs offices. Others simply spend time with the animals because receiving even a little attention can be paramount for their nurture.

Anyone interested in volunteering, fostering, adopting, donating, or making a difference with AnimalKind’s mission can visit www.animalkindny.org or call 518-822-8643.