Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
New York Shitty Day Ender: Urban Fur
Driggs Avenue
Bedford Avenue
North 9 Street
Franklin Street
West Street
Miss Heather
TOMORROW: Adoptable Cuties At PS 9
By all reports it looks like it is going to be a beautiful weekend here in north Brooklyn. After (or perhaps before) indulging in some beer and goulash goodness in Greenpoint why not make a detour to PS9 Pet Supply and make the acquaintance of some of the lovely felines of Empty Cages Collective— like sweet little lass in the following video. Her name is Jo Jo, she is six months old and purrrfectly healthy. She would very much like to have a “forever home” to hang her hat. How about yours?
Empty Cages Collective Adoption Event
March 22, 2009, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
PS9 Pet Supplies
169 North 9th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211
Miss Heather
Greenwick Photos Du Jour: More Urban Fur
Meserole Street
Maspeth Avenue
North 12 Street
Norman Avenue*
Manhattan Avenue
Franklin Street
Miss Heather
*This lovely photograph comes courtesy of Mugsniffer. He knows premium pussy when he sees it!
Adoptable Cutie Video Du Jour: Heath Lets Loose
Yesterday I had the pleasure of finally checking out Empty Cages Collective’s new digs right here in Greenpoint. I have to say it is a significant improvement over their older space. Among other things the split level layout enables them to let their Feline Leukemia positive friends roam about without the risk of cross-infecting their non-Leukemia roommates. Among the kitties getting a little exercise this Sunday afternoon was a kitten named Heath. As you will see he found my camera strap of the utmost interest. Enjoy!
For more information about this little fella (who isn’t much of a cuddler but clearly loves to play) check out Empty Cages Collective’s Petfinder page. Otherwise you can see more footage of Heath’s bunkmates (including a couple of roosters that were recently rescued from a cockfighting ring) point and click your way over to my newly created Flickr set.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Video Du Jour: Presenting The Animals Of Animal Planet
Meet Kobe and Cee Cee. Kobe is the orange and white tabby to the left, C.C. the black and white tabby to the right. They are the fabulous feline duo who keep careful watch over Greenpoint’s very own Animal Planet.* Be it by “quality testing” the occasional catnip mouse, tearing up paper towels, sleeping behind the counter or (as seen above) demonstrating the the use of Animal Planet’s products; they make sure everything is up to snuff.
They are a very affable pair. I make it a point to pick up Kobe and hug him despite the fact he has “grown out” of the “cuddling” stage. This once little guy has become a man now. Kobe has opted out of hugs and prefers to spend his winter afternoons napping. He makes this clear to his apprentice, C.C., in the following video. Albeit eventually. Enjoy!
So it goes with being a working class cat at Animal Planet. I have to confess: I rather envy Kobe.
Animal Planet
1084 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
(718) 349-0602
Miss Heather
*Which is run by very lovely people. They really care about animals. I recommend them highly.
The Kent Street Cat
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
This cat (which graces the north-facing wall of The Garden) has been around as long as I can remember. I have noticed all other graffiti that has found its way to this edifice has been removed— but not this kitty. I have long intended to get the story behind this fetching feline. Last night I finally did.
Faced with the prospect of having to eat a jarring combination of (questionably edible) foodstuffs for dinner the Mister and I patronized The Garden. As luck would have it, I recognized one of the owners of this establishment. He was engaged in a conversation with another gentleman but having at long last the opportunity to shed light on this mystery I politely interrupted.
Miss Heather: Pardon me for butting in but aren’t you the owner of this establishment?
Owner: Yes, I am one of them.
Miss Heather: I have a very strange question for you. I took it up with Magda (an employee of The Garden, wonderful woman) as I know she has been working here for some time but she didn’t know…
Owner: (getting curious)
Miss Heather: What’s the deal with the cat on your building? The black cat.
After some thought (and some more Q & A) I got an answer. Here it is, albeit in highly simplified form:
- Approximately 8-9 years ago someone spray-painted this piece of graffiti onto The Garden.
- The owner liked it so much he didn’t see fit to remove it.
- However, the owner of the building didn’t agree, so…
- five years ago he asked someone to cover it up with primer.
- When the person with the primer showed up this gentleman (who the owner of The Garden described as being a “cat person”) had changed his mind. He had grown attached to it.
And so it has remained on Kent Street ever since. I have no idea what the person responsible for this was thinking when he (or she) created this cat. Was his intent vandalism or art? I don’t know and quite frankly I am comfortable with not knowing. It has since become a beloved member of the community and I suspect I speak for many when I say I hope he (or she) stays with us for a very, very long time!
Miss Heather
Meet Jonny
Since the weather (all things considered) was downright gorgeous yesterday the Mister and I headed down to PS9 to meet a few of the cats from Empty Cages Collective.
The one that stole my heart above all others (and this is no small achievement— there were many a heart stealer to be had*) was this guy. His name is Jonny and he was rescued from the euthanasia list at the Center for Animal Care and Control. His crime? Having Feline Leukemia. The sad reality is any cat (or kitten) who is sick be it a mere cold, upper respiratory infection, Feline Leukemia or F.I.V. gets V.I.P. treatment at the CACC when it comes to joining this club. One which they (more often than not) enter and never leave.
But it is not the purpose of this post to be grim. There are a number of seemingly little things you can do to stop this from happening. Yes, I am asking that you “get involved” by…
- learning more about trap, neuter and return and volunteering at your local feral cat colony.
- Spay and neutering your pets. You want to end “Euth lists” (as they call them)? This is the way to do it!
- Volunteering at your local animal shelter…
- and perhaps, taking in a cat with special needs in your home.
Adopting a cat with Feline Leukemia is not for everyone. They cannot mix with “non-positive cats” as the disease is spread by saliva. In addition there are additional responsibilities that come with having a cat living with Feline Leukemia. The previous is not to suggest, however, that they cannot live long healthy lives or give lots of love. As you will see in this video of Jonny. Be sure to turn up the volume and listen to his crazy purr— I’ve never heard anything like it in my life!
Although someone has apparently filled out an application to adopt this wonderful dude nothing has been set in stone, so to speak. What’s more, he has lots of fellow Empty Cage cats who would very much like to call your home their own. You can meet them by clicking here.
Miss Heather
*A few of whom you can see by licking here!
A Highly Unusual Situation
Filed under: Crazy Cat Lady
Julia writes:
Dear Miss Heather,
…I hope this is not out of line, but long story short, my husband and I are moving to a Caribbean country (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) in May and cannot take our 2 cats. The country requires a 6 month quarantine meaning they will be living in cages at the foreign airport which of course is totally unacceptable.
IÂ thought maybe you could post their photo and mention the situation. If it gives me any “cat credibility”, I volunteered at KittyKind for about 3 1/2 years up until fairly recently. Also for random additional street cred, I’ve been friends for years with artist Chris Smith who you have mentioned lately.
The cats are both about 6 years old, healthy, loving, fun, all that.
Thanks so much for any help or advice!
Anyone interested in giving these two lovely cats a home should contact Julia via email at seamonkeybar (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Thanks!
TOMORROW: Empty Cages Collective At PS9!
Saturday, February 21, from noon until 5:00 p.m. the cats of Empty Cages will be eagerly waiting to make your acquaintance at Williamsburg’s very own PS9. Why not swing by and say hi? Who knows, maybe you’ll make a new furry friend or two?
Empty Cages Collective Adoption Event
February 21, 2009, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
PS9 Pet Supplies
169 North 9th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211
Oh yeah, even if you are not in the position to adopt Empty Cages gladly welcomes donations be it supplies, your time or money. For more details about volunteering please check out their web site or contact them via email at:
emptycagescollective (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
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