A haven for cats and dogs, one shelter in Queens goes above and beyond the call of duty. Jeff Simmons introduces us to our New Yorkers of the Week who make it all possible.

A cat named Russel was one of the lucky ones at a Queens animal shelter. It only took a few months to find him a home. But even if they aren't adopted, cats and dogs can always call Animal Haven home. That's because the shelter in Flushing has a "no-kill" policy.

"We are a shelter for both adoptable animals and as well as a sanctuary for animals that can't be placed," says Animal Haven Executive Director Marcello Forte. "We house animals that have different medical needs such as cats with leukemia and elderly dogs."

Animal Haven has been around since 1967. Funded by private donations and a few grants, it's able to provide shelter largely due to the work of volunteers.

"The volunteers are critical to the shelter. Volunteers do everything here from fundraising to socializing the animals," says volunteer coordinator Hannah Koltuv. "We couldn't be here without the volunteers."

There are about 100 volunteers total and 20 to 30 of them put in time each week.

"I always wanted to volunteer for a shelter but I didn't want to volunteer where they have the kill policy because I don't think that I could hang out and pet them and know that they are possibly going to die the next day," says volunteer Ginger Rizzo. "So I feel comfortable knowing that none of them are going to be killed and that makes me happy."

That makes these animals happy, too, especially the ones who suffer from fatal diseases, like cats housed in a special room who usually live no more than five years because of their disease. Volunteer Kathleen Medina says, "We try to give them a really good home here and make their short life very happy."

Plans for a new shelter are underway and the staff and volunteers hope to raise up to $1.5 million for the project.

"It feels satisfying and gratifying. It feels like you made a difference even if it was just one cat that got a home. You made a little bit of a difference," says Rizzo.

So for adopting this safe haven, these volunteers are our New Yorkers of the Week.

- Jeff Simmons - NY1 News