Our History

1903

After a trip to Paris, where Bideawee's founder Mrs. Flora D'Auby Jenkins Kibbe, witnessed the unique work of the Barrone d’Herpents Dog Refuge, she transplanted the idea of a "no kill" shelter to NYC, and by the end of 1903, she was operating a similar program out of a small building near her home in Manhattan.

1906

With the help of a group of visionary women including Kate M. Hofstra, Alicia S. Grant, Carolyn S. Muhleman, Mary T. Whicher, Laura B. Dunk, Content Aline Johnson, and Mrs. Flora D'Auby Jenkins Kibbe, Bideawee was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit (501(c)3) organization.

1912

Bideawee opened it's first shelter in Manhattan at the location of our current headquarters on 38th Street and 1st Avenue. At the time, unwanted animals were often drowned in the East River, so Mrs. Kibbe chose the Manhattan location for its proximity to the river.

1915

Mrs. Kibbe believed that pets were family and created The Pet Memorial Park in Wantagh as a final resting place for cherished pets.

1956

Bideawee opened it's Adoption Center in Westhampton to serve pets and the people who love them on Long Island.

1982

Bideawee launched one of America’s first animal-assisted therapy programs to bring the benefits of the human-animal bond to vulnerable populations.

2003

Bideawee expanded its Pet Therapy offerings by launching the Reading to Dogs Program in Wantagh, LI to help children gain the self confidence to improve their reading skills.

2017

After a long history with Bideawee, beginning in 2010 as the Vice President of Development, Leslie Granger was named President & CEO of Bideawee.

2019

Bideawee expanded its mission and assumed responsibility for The NYC Feral Cat Initiative, a groundbreaking program that humanely reduces the population of community cats in NYC.