Denise Lauffer says taking care of animals has always been one of her passions.
"I would take home animals and my mother would be like, 'That one has a collar, bring it back to where you found it,'" Lauffer says.
Now in her mid-40s, she earns a living as a dog walker, and spends her free time rescuing stray animals in northern Manhattan and finding homes for them.
(Some of the stray cats Denise Lauffer rescued lounging in the basement of her apartment building. Clodagh McGowan/NY1.)
She used to look after them in her apartment on West 189th Street and says there have been occasions when she would be caring for more than a dozen cats and dogs at the same time.
But things changed once her landlord found out.
"I actually had a cat come in through the window, and I was feeding her out of the courtyard, and eventually got this animal adopted, and the landlord was like, 'Well, who's going to eat the mice?'' Lauffer says.
A year ago, he provided Lauffer space in the basement for her growing sanctuary. Since then, she uncovered the wood panels that covered the windows, added lights, and created several play areas.
Now, Lauffer and her volunteers are taking care of 39 cats and 1 dog — half in her basement sanctuary and the rest in her apartment.
(Denise Lauffer with several of the stray animals she has taken in. Clodagh McGowan/NY1.)
According to the New York City health department, it's all legal; the city does not limit the number of animals that can be kept at home.
"There are people who see Denise and think she's the crazy cat woman," Paola McKay said. "But there are also people who see Denise and admire her for the work she does with the cats."
McKay is one of the volunteers who join with Lauffer several times a week, looking for strays in the neighborhood.
Lauffer says the ASPCA neuters her rescues without charge, but she foots the bills for all veterinary care. When asked how much her rescue work costs, she joked that she doesn't want to know.
"If I do I'd probably starting crying. Thousands," Lauffer said. "I'm not really in it for the profit."
She is also not in it for the recognition. But that does not stop residents from praising her.
"The work she does with the animals is excellent," one building tenant said.
"Everyone loves her because she is who she is," another said.
"The most important thing is to secure it and get out of the street," Lauffer said. "You can find a home for them, even if it is a basement."
To donate items or to adopt one of her rescues, you can contact Lauffer at dmlauffer7585@gmail.com.
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