Our Mission
AmsterDog Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit organization comprised entirely of volunteers that is dedicated to the plight of abandoned animals and those at-risk in shelters through no fault of their own. All donations received provide necessities for placement such veterinary care, rehabilitative training, supplies, transportation, and other related expenses.
Our Impact
100%
of all proceeds go to saving at-risk animals
5,300+
animal lives saved
14+ Years
serving the greater nyc area
Getting the pets...
About Us:
AmsterDog Rescue began after a small group of volunteers came together to help animals impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans region. In addition to fundraising, the volunteers also rescued and transported several van-loads of abandoned dogs back up to the Northeast and placed them in forever homes. In the process of that rewarding endeavor, we became aware of how many precious and adoptable dogs and cats were losing their lives every day right here in our own community, simply because of shelter overcrowding and a lack of awareness among the community.
Why the name AmsterDog?
With a desire to help save these beautiful lives, we formed a small rescue effort and became an established group in May 2010 called AmsterDog Rescue, named after our beloved dog “Amsterdam”, who was found wandering on the very avenue in Harlem after which he was named. “Amsterdam” was a large, white, 70-pound pitbull mix, who many people would cross the street to avoid simply because of his misperceived “intimidating appearance”, when in fact, he was an extremely affectionate and loving dog who had a calming affect on everyone around him. He inspired our belief that it is not us that rescue them - ultimately, it is they that rescue us!
Steve’s Small Dog Corner
Steve Forino
Even before joining AmsterDog in 2025, Steve Forino had spent years devoting his heart and hands to saving New York City’s most vulnerable small dogs. With an unwavering commitment to pups with a ruff start in life in need of a second chance and a fondness for senior pups, Steve works tirelessly to rescue dogs from euthanasia and the trauma of overcrowded shelters.
Steve ensures every dog he saves gets the care they deserve—whether it’s hernia repairs, tail amputations, pneumonia and CIRDC treatment, or full dental work on top of the usual spay and neuters, Steve never fails to step up. In some cases, it is the first time these dogs have known love, patience, and safety. He’s helped countless dogs heal, both physically and emotionally, and guided them to the loving forever homes they were always meant to have.
We are endlessly grateful for Steve and the heart he puts into every rescue. Because of him, tails keep wagging and second chances are possible. Thanks to Steve, so many little lives have been spared, restored, and cherished. His compassion doesn’t just rescue dogs—it transforms them.
See below for some of Steve’s Small Dogs’ wonderful success stories from 2025 and on.
~ Happy Tails ~
Recent Adoptions
Enjoy the little things in life…
~ Rescue Update ~
the transformation of a princess
Princess’s road to recovery has been anything but easy. At 8 years old, this tiny 11-lb girl was abandoned by her family, losing everything she had ever known. Terrified at the shelter, where she was known as “Princess 230366”, she soon became gravely ill with pneumonia—and at risk for euthanasia.
Thanks to the 5 Star “Hotel Steve”, we were able to pull her to safety. She arrived desperately sick, with a pneumonia that stubbornly resisted three different antibiotics. Over the past few months, she’s gone from being syringe-fed to eating small bites on her own, slowly gaining strength—with help from Steve, who rushes her to the vet at the first sign of trouble and cares for her around the clock. But just as she was improving, another hurdle appeared—an infected ulcer in her eye. She received treatment for that, too, and after a few more weeks of pampering & medicine, Princess is now showing off her spunky personality! She’s eating well and playing and finally has an adopter!
Thank you to everyone who shared Princess and was rooting for her while she healed! ❤️
UPDATE: Princess made a full recovery and has since been adopted! Check out the pic of her taking off with her new family!
