Bideawee’s founder, Flora D’Auby Jenkins Kibbe started her organization in 1903 after she was inspired by a similar one she encountered in France. Like many animal shelters, Bideawee provides a place for stray and unwanted dogs or cats to find new homes. What makes it unique, however, is the fact that no animal is ever put down. Flora named her organization for a Scottish phrase meaning “stay awhile, ” to communicate that the animals they picked up would forever have homes at Bideawee even if they were not adopted. After shuffling locations in Manhattan for several years, Bideawee finally found its permanent home next to the East River, where it is ideally situated to rescue animals abandoned in the water nearby. To this day, Bideawee prides itself on its “no-kill” policy – dogs and cats that were found on the streets can spend their entire lives at the shelter, or be adopted the next day. Everyone working at the organization expresses their dedication and passion by caring for these animals day in and day out.
