The First Family

Our first kittens are six weeks old. If you would like to visit with them Click Here.

The Kittens Are Coming

The Kittens Are Coming

(and some are already here!)

It is that time of year, a time of hope and sadness, joy and sorrow and laughter and tears. A time of roller coaster emotions, working for endless hours every day, bottle and hand feeding every two hours, medicating when necessary, rejoicing when we are successful and tears when we are not.

IT IS KITTEN SEASON.

This is our first family of 2011. We and the kittens are fortunate as they have their mom. She was brought here for our spay/neuter clinic and the vet determined that she was almost ready to give birth. She had been living in a barn and the people who brought her here allowed us to keep her. She gave birth on March 6th, 2011 to five little ones, four white with colors on their heads and the odd boy (or girl out) a little tiger.

Mama is the best mother you can imagine, she cares for them selflessly, and never tires of providing them with nourishment and warmth. Within a few weeks they will begin to use those little legs and they will be scooting all over and exploring everything. We will try to update you on their progress and perhaps post new pictures on flicker as they grow.

But as I indicated, these are the lucky ones, they were born safe and warm with mom. Most of the kittens we will receive this season will not be so fortunate. From past experience we know that many will come without a mother, found abandoned or along the road, as young as only days old, often weak, sick, dehydrated and malnourished.

We will care for them all, getting out the warming blankets, hot water bottles, and heating lamps. They will be hand or bottle fed if necessary, they will get tiny doses of antibiotics and whatever else they need to give them every chance at survival, and if we are as blessed as in past years, most will.

When they are old enough they will be FIV/FELV tested (if any test positive they will have their home here with us at the sanctuary), dewormed and vaccinated.

Then the kitty karavan will roll transporting them for adoption. Thanks to the help and support of the rescue groups and individuals we partner with in New York City and other locals throughout the metropolitan area, they will find their special persons and their special homes.

Last season this remarkable coalition found super homes for over 100 kittens.

Without the ceaseless efforts of Gretchen, the sanctuary manager, and her dedicated staff, this could not happen. We are grateful to them for all they do to help save these little lives.

Goodbye Until March

This two legged member of the Love and Hope Family is leaving for India tomorrow. This trip is to assist a dear friend in his mission to help the street animals of Mumbai. He and his small group have captured, spayed/neutered and returned over 2,000 dogs as well as too many cats to count in the last several years. They also provide care for those animals who are sick or injured. It is a privilege to help and to be a part of the hope that he brings.

Meet Roady

You could call Roady the Love and Hope mascot as we have come to think of him that way.

He came to the Sanctuary in October, 2005 soon after the Sanctuary opened in September. He wasn't our first cat (one day I will tell the story of the "original 15") but he came very soon thereafter.

He was found by the Town of Franklin Highway Department living outside their office. They were feeding him (he was very thin when they first found him there), but they knew that he could not remain there as winter was coming.

The Highway Department contacted us and we were happy to accept him into the Sanctuary (thus his name Roady, aka The Roadman, in recognition of the people who rescued him).

Roady was about 1 1/2 years old in 2005. He obviously had been injured at some point as his tail is broken. (you can see that in the picture). We then discovered that he had old internal injuries that could not be repaired. As a result, he "dribbles" and dosen't always make it to the litter pan. He is the most affectionate, playful, loving creature imaginable but his "problem" has rendered him unadoptable. He is showered with love by all who work at the Sanctuary and he constantly bring smiles to their faces.

Everyone loves Roady.

Clarence Update!

Just have to announce that Clarence has a friend, a long haired black guy named Maximilian. As you can see they became instant buddies. Clarence is is NOT alone anymore.

CLARENCE IS HERE (and he is famous)

Who is Clarence? He is a beautiful long hair white and brown cat who prefers other cats to people.
Clarence was the subject of an article “Battle in the Garden” which appeared in the New York Daily News on January 10, 2009. He and his friend, Betsy, had lived in a community garden in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, for several years. The gardeners objected to his caretaker feeding them and decided they were to be evicted. That eviction deadline had to be postponed several times. Before a new home could be found, Betsy disappeared. It became increasingly urgent to find a permanent safe place for Clarence.
In December, Clarence arrived at the Sanctuary, thanks to the dedication of his Brooklyn caretaker. He is now safe.
He will receive the care he deserves and will have a chance to make new cat friends. When the weather permits, Clarence can bask in the sun and smell the fresh air as he lounges on one of our enclosed “catios”. (I think that he is going to like this, as it will remind him of his Brooklyn garden.)
We are pleased to be able to give Clarence his “forever” home.

ARON HAS A GIRLFRIEND!

And we are delighted. Why is this such wonderful news? Let us tell you about Aron.

Aron came to the Sanctuary in November, 2006 from the streets of Ft. Lee, New Jersey. He was picked up during a trap/neuter/return project, and when he tested positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) it was recommended that he not be returned to the streets as he could infect other cats and that he needed special care. Fortunately, we were able to accept Aron into the Sanctuary as our FIV room had the space for him.

He was no youngster then and had had a rough time on the streets. He is now about 8 to 10 years old. He is black and white with a snaggle tooth and a birdlike claw on one paw.

Aron was wary of everyone and everything, giving an obligatory hiss whenever anyone came his way. It was obvious that he was a loner and that he had never had any loving contact with a human being. He accepted the company of cats but was always alone and by himself.

BUT NOT ANYMORE! Several weeks ago, we noticed Aron and Bea (a beautiful younger gray lady about 5, and obviously FIV positive as well) lying together on a mat, legs and paws intertwined. They have known each other for a long time, as she came here as a kitten. We guess it was a long courtship but a very successful one as they are now inseparable (they remind us of Bogie and Bacall).

This relationship gives us all giggles and tremendous joy---and we know Aron and Bea are even happier than we are.