October 2025
Inside this issue:
- Join us for Cats & Candy Corn — our third annual adoption event at The Bristal Assisted Living in Westbury on Saturday, November 1st highlighting our Seniors for Seniors Program.
- California Becomes the Fifth State to Ban Declawing of Cats!
- Participate in Call to HeART — Oyster Bay's FIRST cat art exhibition!
- Sweetie's Spay & Neuter hits a milestone of over 1,000 vouchers helping to spay/neuter Long Island's community cats.
- Happie Tails — See who Found Homes
- Become a Monthly Donor and Help Ladewbies (like Charlie) All Year Long
- Join The Ladew Alumni Group on Facebook
- The 2026 Calendar is ready!
Cats & Candy Corn - an Interactive Cat Adoption Event held at The Bristal Assisted Living in Westbury
Join us at The Bristal Assisted Living in Westbury (117 Post Avenue, Westbury) for our third annual adoption event highlighting our Seniors for Seniors program! There will be cats of all ages available for adoption and yummy treats to eat!
The Bristal Community recognizes how important animals are to our seniors and allows cats (and small dogs) at their residences!
If you'd like to learn more about our Seniors for Seniors Program, we'll be there to answer any and all questions about the program which has given 75 senior cats a second chance at love and a home!
RSVP by Monday, October 27 to Michele Rivieccio at 516-386-7219 or email mrivieccio@thebristal.com.
🐾 California Becomes the Fifth State to Ban Declawing!🐾
22% of kittens are still being declawed in the United States. Kittens like Thea won't have to worry in humane states like New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maryland and California.
After over 20 years of hard work by Dr. Jennifer Conrad and The Paw Project, we are thrilled to announce that California is the fifth state in the U.S. to ban the declawing of cats.
This is the story of hope and courage and how one woman, Dr. Jennifer Conrad, stood up for cats, never wavering as she courageously and brilliantly waged a battle against big money and big industry.
On Thursday, October 8th, California's Governor Newsom signed the bill which received ZERO opposition in both houses.
This bill not only protects cats in California, but it goes to show that ONE person CAN make a difference!
Kudos to the Paw Project and Dr. Conrad on this important victory.
For more information, please watch The Paw Project and American Cats: The Good, The Bad & The Cuddly, available on multiple platforms or visit The Paw Project.
Call to heART: Oyster Bay's FIRST Cat Art Show
Cats have forever been a part of the lives of humans. From protecting grains and keeping ships pest-free to being today's furry family companions, they've always been there with us. To honor our furry friends, the Hive Market & Gallery and the Patricia H. Ladew Foundation will host the first "Call To heART" art exhibition to celebrate this bond. We are calling on all artists to submit their cat-themed artwork for consideration.
We invite you to send in your original artwork representing how cats have influenced your life, or even life before our times, be it through watercolor, mixed media, pottery, black and white photography, abstract — whatever your medium. Here's your chance to be a part of Oyster Bay's first Cat Art Show, benefitting The Ladew Cat Sanctuary. Fun Fact: Patricia Ladew, the sanctuary's founder, was a visual artist herself, so we thought this was also a perfect tribute to celebrate the 50 years of saving cats that she started back in 1975.
🎉 Sweetie’s Spay & Neuter Squad Reaches 1,000 Vouchers! 🎉
We’re celebrating an incredible milestone — Sweetie’s Spay & Neuter Squad has just issued its 1,000th voucher for free spay/neuter surgeries and vaccines to members of our local TNR (trap-neuter-return) community!
Sweetie
This program, named in memory of a beloved cat named Sweetie, was created to honor her gentle spirit and to help community cats just like the ones she once lived among. Each voucher represents a feral or free-roaming cat who will no longer face the dangers of endless breeding cycles—and a caregiver who has stepped up to make a difference.
Over the last year, Sweetie’s Spay and Neuter Squad has empowered hundreds of dedicated volunteers who trap, transport, and care for these often-forgotten cats. By removing barriers to veterinary care, we’re reducing suffering, preventing thousands of unwanted kittens, and making our neighborhoods safer and healthier for all cats.
This achievement belongs to our entire community — the trappers, feeders, fosters, and donors who make this lifesaving work possible. But our mission doesn’t stop here. The demand for vouchers continues to grow as new colonies are discovered and caregivers reach out for help.
✨ Please consider donating to Sweetie’s Spay & Neuter Squad so we can keep saying “yes” to the people and cats who need us most. Together, we’re honoring Sweetie’s legacy—and changing the future for community cats, one voucher at a time.
🐾 Donate to Sweetie’s Spay & Neuter Squad — Because every cat deserves a chance at a better life.
Happie* Tails
*Fun fact: The "H" in Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc. stands for Happie which was Pat's middle name!
Below are some of the lucky Ladewbies who found homes during the last month!
Juliet — We adopted Juliet out when she was a kitten. She was returned as a senior when her owners couldn't care for her anymore. She was recently adopted again through our Seniors for Seniors Program, making her the 75th kitty to find her happily-forever-after through the program!
Onyx — This darling boy was a staff favorite and although it's hard to say goodbye we were thrilled for him to go to his new home where he doesn't have to share a lap!
Ivy — Ivy lost her home after her family were evicted from their home. Ladew adopter Marjorie lost her beloved Ladewbie Cinammon recently and her heart was ready for another. The two are doing great and happy to heal each other!
Teddy and Shabazz - Teddy and Shabazz lost their home when their owner was evicted. Pat has a love of Siamese kitties and couldn't believe her luck when she stumbled upon two of them needing a home. They are brothers and are happy to be together, and Pat is happy to have the pitter-patter of 8 paws!
Doc and Dopey — Our sweet little sisters were adopted together — the last of our seven dwarves group have found their princess.
Brother and sister duo Thea (left) and Bruno leave the shelter in good hands (with another brother and sister duo!).
Become a Monthly Donor!
Senior kitty Charlie was relinquished by his owner for unknown reasons. He came to us with severe dental disease but thanks to our veterinary medical team is smiling bright and ready for a new home!
Do you want to help us with our mission but keep forgetting or can't find the time to donate? Become an automatic Monthly Donor and help us help cats until they find their forever homes. Your donations will help pay for medical care, food, spay/neuter surgeries for our cats. Additionally, your donations help us place senior cats with senior citizens and cover their medical care for life!
Your donation will help cats like Charlie while they wait for a family to call their own.
Join the Ladew Alumni Group on Facebook!
Former Ladewbies, Flynn (top) and Phoebe, living the good life!
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, we are pleased to invite our adopters and supporters to join the Ladew Alumni Facebook group! A place for adopters to chat about their Ladewbies, meet one another, share stories about The Ladew Cat Sanctuary...or even about our founder, Patricia Ladew! It is a "closed group" meaning ONLY people who have adopted, worked, or volunteered at Ladew will be accepted to join. We hope to see you online very soon!
Purchase our 2026 Calendar!
Cover design by Jennifer Sita
Our 2026 Calendar features Ladewbies looking for homes as well as some that found their forever homes.
Help us help more kitties by purchasing one for just $25.00.
