January 2023

Inside this issue:

• Meet Tabitha - a kitty with a New Year's resolution to shed some unwanted pounds
• Help Edward overcome Pectus Excavatum through surgery
• Give senior kitty Prince a second chance at a forever home
• Happie Tales:  Meet the lucky kitties who found homes in December

Tabitha's New Years Resolution:  Lose weight and exercise more

11-year-old Tabitha's family moved and left her at Animal Care Centers in Brooklyn.  She was so depressed, this 19-pound kitty stopped eating and wound up on the euthanasia list.  

When overweight cats like Tabitha stop eating, they are at very high risk for a condition known as hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver).  Hepatic lipidosis occurs when an overweight cat stops eating and the liver sends a "starvation" signal out to the body. This signal causes the body to send fat to the liver to convert into usable energy.  In overweight cats, the liver is overwhelmed by too much fat.  The condition can be fatal if not corrected in time.  

In light of her guarded condition, Tabitha could only go from ACC to a New Hope Partner (approved and registered rescues) of Animal Care Centers.  The Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc. has been a New Hope Partner since 2003 and through our Sandra Atlas Bass New Hope Fund, has rescued and provided medical care to countless homeless animals, including Tabitha.

Tabitha arrived just in the nick of time.  Her bloodwork showed no signs of hepatic lipidosis and with a lot of TLC, she began eating for us.   She is currently being transitioned onto a healthy, low calorie diet along with an exercise plan to make sure she gets her "steps" in every day.  

Tabitha is very motivated by human affection, so right now her exercise plan consists of staff members sitting on opposite sides of the room. Tabitha loves people so much she is excited to walk back and forth for snuggles with each of them.  

Because we can't let her live in our communal rooms where food is always available, we are searching for someone who will give this unbelievably sweet girl a home and help her on her journey to a healthier life.  To see video of Tabitha doing her "steps" and/or to sponsor or adopt >>

Edward (and his heart) Need Room to Grow

Edward, just 12 weeks old, was born with a congenital condition known as Pectus Excavatum.  Pectus Excavatum (also called "funnel chest") is an abnormality of the cartilage of the sternum and rib cage.  In some cases no intervention is needed but in more severe cases, the condition causes constriction of the thoracic cavity where the heart and lungs live.  This can lead to serious issues if there isn't enough space for the heart and lungs to grow. Luckily, there is a surgery that can be performed at a young age to correct the defect.

Edward's deformity is on the more serious side and his surgery is scheduled for Monday, 1/16/23 at the Animal Surgical Center.  

Once Edward has the surgery, he will need post-op care for 4-8 weeks and monitoring for complications. 

While we hope that Edward's condition will be completely corrected with this surgery, PHLF will cover any approved medical care related to Edward's congenital condition, if he needs any, even after he finds his forever home.  

He is bonded to his adorable mom, Elizabeth, and we would love the pair to go to a home together. 

We estimate the cost for Edward's surgery and post-op care is $3,000 - $4,000 - any donation amount would be greatly appreciated.  

Prince is ready for his second chance

When Prince's owner passed away, there was nobody to take care of him, so this 8-year-old ADORABLE guy was brought to Animal Care Centers of Brooklyn.

Like many older cats, Prince had severe dental disease and was in need of dental surgery that could not be provided at Animal Care Centers.  Prince was transferred to us and his surgery was scheduled immediately.

Prince had his surgery (with 12 extractions!) and as soon as he is completely healed, he will be available for a new home.  Prince also had some constipation issues when he came in and is doing well on a special gastrointestinal diet (and things are moving along well!).

Prince will also be eligible for our Seniors for Seniors program (where we cover his reasonable future medical care to an approved senior citizen who adopts him).

Remember to get your fur babies dental check-ups and cleaning, especially as they age!

Happie Tales -- Look who found homes in December 2022 

In December of 2022, we welcomed some two-legged members of the Ladew family and sent some sweet Ladewbies off to their forever homes.

Beginning with Senior BlueBird (who has already begun doting on his new mom), we said farewell to: 

Adanna, Josie, Andrew, Charles, Vanilla Twist, Cookie & Luna, Wyatt, Cassidy and Bunny.  We wish them all happy, healthy and long lives.