In a city defined by noise, Roosevelt Island often feels like a whispered secret—a ribbon of calm between the boroughs. But even here, life isn’t always quiet. Not for the ones who cannot speak for themselves. That’s where the Wildlife Freedom Foundation steps in to make a difference.
For more than two decades, the Wildlife Freedom Foundation has been that voice. Led by the compassionate and tenacious Rossana Ceruzzi, the organization has cared for the island’s most vulnerable residents: the stray cats, injured birds, and even the occasional wild visitor drawn to our shores. Their work is unseen by most—done early in the mornings or late at night, between meetings, shifts, and seasons. But its impact is lasting, stitched gently into the rhythm of Roosevelt Island life.
If you’ve ever paused near Southpoint to spot the geese, or walked past a cat shelter nestled under a tree, or marveled at a deer sighting years ago and wondered who helped—chances are, Wildlife Freedom Foundation was involved.
Yet for all the good they’ve done, there are times the Foundation has stood alone.
Last fall, at a RIOC board meeting, Rossana Ceruzzi was given one minute to speak. One minute to summarize years of tireless service, chronic underfunding, and growing strain. One minute to advocate for animals in a room not always willing to listen. The Wildlife Freedom Foundation was there, the timer ticked. She spoke. And then it was over.
But that moment mattered.
Because while bureaucracies stall and contracts disappear, compassion continues. And the Wildlife Freedom Foundation doesn’t stop when the timer runs out.
Their shelters remain clean and warm. Their volunteers still bring food, care, and medical attention. They still respond when residents call about an injured bird or a sick kitten tucked beneath the bushes. And they still advocate—for kindness, for accountability, for the right of every creature to live free from neglect.
It would be easy to ignore these stories. After all, how much can one small group really do?
But that’s the thing about Roosevelt Island. It’s built on the backs of small groups. PTA moms. Gardeners. Tenants’ associations. Volunteers who show up not for pay or press but because they care. The Wildlife Freedom Foundation is among these dedicated groups.
The Wildlife Freedom Foundation is one of them. A constant presence through years of change—administrations, policies, even pandemics. They’ve endured storms both literal and political. And through it all, they’ve protected what others overlook.
Their work isn’t flashy. It’s not about photo ops or press releases. It’s about remembering that our community includes every being that calls this island home.
If Roosevelt Island is a village, then the Wildlife Freedom Foundation are its stewards of empathy. And they deserve more than one minute.
To understand the heart of their mission, and the power of that brief moment last September, I invite you to read Eleanor Rivers’ moving reflection “One Minute to Speak”.
Howard Polivy, the Man Who Never Left
There is a particular rhythm to board meetings. Once you have sat through enough of them, they begin to blend together. The agenda appears. The minutes are approved.
