August 2023

The Fruit Group:  

Inside this issue:

• Cat Crisis in the USA -- City Shelters are closed to intakes and New York is feeling it.  
• PHLF teams up with The Bristal Assisted Living in Westbury to promote adoptions and our Seniors for Seniors Program
• Update on Smitten -- the kitten with the broken jaw

  Cat Crisis in NYC

Several weeks ago, a Facebook post from Animal Care Centers (the three largest municipal shelters in NYC) announced that the three centers were so full, they were closed to further intake.  

Approved rescue groups "pull" cats from these shelters in an effort to alleviate the overcrowding.   "But we can only take so many, says Dr. Susan Whittred, DVM, Executive Director of Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc. (PHLF).  If these animals don't get adopted then our efforts are diminished because we only have a finite amount of room.  Now, more than ever, we need people to adopt and help these animals out."  

A kitten named Sparky arrives from overcrowded Animal Care Centers in NYC.

Dr. Whittred continues, "since COVID, there has also been a shortage of veterinarians which thwarts rescue efforts, and elective surgeries such as spays and neuters were completely halted for a period of time during the pandemic.  All of these things together have really put a strain on animal welfare."  

According to a recent article by Erin Nolan in The New York Times, entitled Too Many Cats, Too Few Vets:  New York City Animal Shelters Are Bursting "although the euthanasia rate still remains historically low, the number of animals being euthanized at the city shelters has risen from 450 to 600 per year."

If you've been thinking about adopting or fostering, now is the time to do it.  By adopting a cat or two, you save more than just those cats, you make room for two more to be saved.  

Please visit our adoption page or call us at 516-922-CATS if you would like to come and visit with the cats that are looking for homes.  Adoptions will help us rescue more cats from Long Island and city shelters (in addition to adding a lot of love and joy to your life!).

Sweet Lady Bug on her arrival from Animal Care Centers is available for adoption

The Bristal Assisted Living in Westbury Teams up with PHLF to help Senior Cats and Senior Humans

Former residents of The Bristal in Lynbrook, Lillian and Barney

Knowing how important animals are to people, especially to seniors who may be not be as mobile as they used to, Dr. Susan and volunteer Stephanie, reached out to The Bristal Assisted Living in Westbury to let them know about our Seniors for Seniors program. "When it came time for my parents to go into assisted living, their beloved cats were a big factor in where they went.  Once we found out that The Bristal allows cats (and small dogs) our decision was made," says Dr. Whittred, "The Bristal even put up a welcome Fred and Barney sign on the door!"

Dr. Susan and Stephanie met with Executive Director, Kimberly Bent; Director of Recreation, Jennifer Mallon; and Director of Community Relations, Michelle Caio a few weeks ago and The Bristal couldn't have been more willing to help!  

PHLF will host an adoption event to be held at The Bristal in Westbury sometime in October and a Blanket Workshop where the senior residents will make blankets for the kitties at Ladew, followed by a visit to the sanctuary.  In addition, the Seniors for Seniors program will have a mention in The Bristal's monthly flyer so that residents will be aware of the program.

The PHLF Seniors for Seniors program covers the reasonable future medical care of a senior kitty adopted by an approved senior citizen.  The program has helped both humans and kitties rediscover the joy of companionship and forever homes.  Ladew cats ALWAYS have a home back at the Ladew Cat Sanctuary, which reduces the worry as to what would happen to the cat if the senior could no longer provide care.  

Stay tuned for information about the adoption event at The Bristal in Westbury coming up at the end of October.  

Smitten, the kitten, goes home!

Smitten and her mom Cheli on her Gotcha Day

Last month, we told you about Smitten, the kitten with a broken jaw that ended up at Animal Care Centers.  We rescued her and sent her over to Animal Surgical Center to have her jaw repaired.  

While she was recovering, Cheli saw our posts and wanted to meet Smitten.  Cheli's whole family has adopted from Ladew so we knew she would be an amazing potential human for Smitten.  

Smitten is already settled in and happy in her new home

It didn't take long for Cheli to fall in love (about three minutes) and the rest is history.  Smitten (AKA Smitty) will likely need dental surgery when her adult teeth come in at 6 months of age, but until then she's having a blast in her new home.