June 2025
Inside this issue:
- NYS Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz visits Ladew
- "American Cats: The Good, The Bad and The Cuddly" Movie is Now Streaming!
- Highlights from our Senior Prom
- Sweeties Spay & Neuter Squad is Making a Difference
- Happy Tails June 2025
- Become a Monthly Donor and Help Ladewbies (like Joonie) All Year Long
- Join The Ladew Alumni Group on Facebook
Ladew Foundation Executive Director Dr. Susan Whittred with NYS Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz
Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz visits the Ladew Cat Sanctuary
Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz came to visit us last month as he tours various animal shelters and rescues in the area.
In his Facebook post on May 30, Blumencranz said:
"The next stop on my Animal Sanctuary Listening Tour brought me to the heart of our district in Downtown Oyster Bay, where the Patricia H. Ladew Foundation Cat Sanctuary continues to be one of the most meaningful community treasures on Long Island.
Dr. Susan and Assemblyman Blumencranz outside of one of three "catios," enclosed patios where Ladew cats can enjoy sunshine and fresh air.
From the retro-style cat rooms to the peaceful outdoor catios, every detail here reflects a deep commitment to giving these cats the best possible life. Thank you to Executive Director Susan Whittred, DVM, and the dedicated team of staff and volunteers who pour their hearts into this sanctuary every single day.
I’m fighting in Albany to make animal welfare and protection a real legislative priority—and seeing places like this only strengthens that mission. To the residents who donate their time, resources, and compassion to keep The Patricia H. Ladew Foundation going: thank you. You’re making a difference.
This isn’t just a shelter or sanctuary. It’s a shining example of what kindness and community can build."
Dr. Susan and Assemblymember Blumencranz in Ladew's surgery suite
Inside the "Rec" room with Berry (and Barnaby and Barbie)
After you watch it, please rate it the highest so more people can see it!
Now streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple, Google and YouTube Movies
This thought-provoking exposé (or expawsé) follows comedian Amy Hoggart (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee) as she dives into the controversial world of cat declawing in the United States. On the surface, it appears to be a simple, harmless surgery for the convenience of pet owners, but as Hoggart digs deeper, a disturbing nationwide conspiracy unfolds. Through interviews with veterinarians, activists and pet owners, the documentary unveils a powerful industry lobby that profits from this cruel procedure. AMERICAN CATS challenges the ethical implications of our choices and calls for a nationwide reflection on our treatment of animals. It also has lots of jokes and cute kittens as well as lots of Ladewbies!
Highlights from our Senior Prom!
Crowned by popular vote, King Bandit (who has an adoption pending) and Queen Cindy Lou (who is still looking) were thrilled by the amount of people that braved the rain to attend our Senior Prom on June 7th.
Six senior cats found new homes, as did several kittens and younger cats (see Happie Tales below).
Senior cat Vicky found her home with Linda!
Dr. Susan and Volunteer Jo Anne
Volunteers and staff made the Senior Prom a huge success.
The health and mental benefits of having animals as companions are well known. The Patricia H. Ladew Foundation's Seniors for Seniors program alleviates some of the worries that older folks may have when adopting a companion animal -- affording the medical care and what happens to the cat if something happens to them? Both concerns are circumvented through our Seniors for Seniors program, where we cover the reasonable medical expenses for senior cats adopted by seniors and if something happens to the senior citizen, the cat can safely return to us!
With close to 70 cats in this successful program, donations are needed to keep it going! Please consider donating today!
Sweeties Spay (and Neuter) Squad is Making a Difference!
Our recently launched Sweetie's Spay and Neuter Squad Program to help community cats is making a difference.
140 vouchers for FREE spay and neuter services at participating animal hospitals have been distributed and we are currently accepting more applications for vouchers.
TNR to the Rescue
TNR (trap, neuter, return) isn't flashy. It doesn't make headlines. But it's the only method proven to reduce the number of outdoor cats humanely and effectively. Removing cats doesn't work. Ignoring them doesn't work. But TNR? It saves lives, prevents suffering and brings balance back to communities -- one cat at a time.
Spaying and neutering is the cornerstone of responsible rescue. It stops the cycle of suffering before it begins. But in recent years, local clinics have closed, subsidies have dried up and vet prices have soared. What used to cost $50 can now be $150 or more per cat.
For a small rescue or single TNR person trying to help dozens or more cats a year, that math is heartbreaking.
In an effort to help combat the issue of rising costs, Sweetie's Spay and Neuter Squad was formed through a generous donation to help with the overpopulation of cats in our communities. Each one of our Sweetie's Spay and Neuter Squad vouchers covers the full cost of one spay or neuter surgery and vaccines.
If we want to end the endless cycle of stray kittens, full shelters, and needless euthanasia, there's only one path forward: Trap, Neuter and Return.
Happie* Tails
*Fun fact: The "H" in Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, inc. stands for Happie which was Pat's middle name!
It's been an extraordinary month of adoptions -- here are some of the lucky kitties that went home >>>
Spooky - Rescued from a hoarding house, Spooky is now the king of his castle.
Seaglass - rescued from Animal Care Centers - Seaglass was a stray found with four kittens.
Benson, Stabler & Christeen - Benson and Stabler were found in a backyard in Queens and Christeen was a stray transferred from Animal Care Centers.
Lucy - our lovely Lucy was a transfer from Animal Care Centers. This poor girl came from a hoarding situation with terrible dental disease and was bald on intake! She was scooped up as soon as her dental surgery was complete (and all her hair grew back in!)
Bear & Squirrel - These two cuties are kittens of our sweet cerebellar hypoplasia mom, Panda (she was adopted too!).
Nemo - Our little Nemo was found as a stray with a deformed limb. Don't worry - it hasn't stopped him one bit and his new mom reports he's doing great in his new home!
Vicky - Vicky's previous owner couldn't care for her anymore. Vicky found a new loving home through our Seniors for Seniors Program.
Barbie - our lovely senior, Barbie, went home through our Seniors for Seniors program and joins former Ladewbie Sandy (who was the first cat to be adopted through our Seniors for Seniors program)!
Yodel - Yodel was a transfer from Animal Care Centers and despite his name, he does not yodel. He was also adopted through our Seniors for Seniors program.
Panda & Penguin - Panda was born with cerebellar hypoplasia, a disease that was caused by a virus when Panda was in her mom's womb. She might walk like a drunken sailor, but she doesn't let it get her down. She went home with her baby, Penguin.
Monica - Monica was recently returned to us and just like that, she was scooped right up again through our Seniors for Seniors Program.
Diana and Dante - These two cuties were from a family of 7 kittens rescued along with their mom from Animal Care Centers.
Caesar - Caesar and his incredibly impressive whiskers were originally left in an open carrier on a porch in Freeport. After a short stint at Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, he found Liz at Ladew!
Edith and Lucas - These adorable siblings went home together.
Manicotti - Manicotti was the shy guy of his litter and the last to be adopted. When his brother Rigatoni's dad found out he was still looking for a home, he came back to the shelter to adopt him too!
Become a Monthly Donor!
Joonie is looking for her forever home!
Life gets busy! Become an automatic Monthly Donor and help us help cats until they find their forever homes.
8-month-old Joonie was a transfer from Animal Care Centers. We don't know too much about her history but she's a total sweetheart and would do well in any home.
Your donation will help cats like Joonie while they wait for a family to call their own.
Join the Ladew Alumni Group on Facebook!
Lily and Bree. Mom says "I will never regret adopting the pair - they are so bonded."
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, we are pleased to introduce 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!
