From The New York Shitty Inbox: And Then There Were Two

I am sad to announce that one of the Huron Street kittens died last night despite the best efforts of their caretaker, Lisa, to keep him alive. As you can imagine I am not happy about this, but given how this poor little guy’s life started I cannot honestly say I am surprised. But this is not to suggest that all the news Lisa relayed to me was bad news. The two older kittens (presumably brother and sister) are responding to some much needed TLC— albeit in fits and starts. Lisa writes:

Sad news. The other tiny kitten died last night. His eye was oozing pus & he wasn’t nursing but I still had hopes for him. He got fluids and antibiotics but was also infested with fleas. I’ve seen neonatal kittens get blood transfusions, but have never seen one live through it. So fragile. If you think it’s appropriate, I’d still like to give him a name.

The other two are good. Goopy eyes and difficult to nurse with the bottle, they are eating a little on their own. They have teeth and are right on the cusp of weaning, often a difficult transition for even healthy bottle babies.

Your readers have been incredible. Almost everything on my list was purchased and is on the way to Greenpoint Bottle Baby Headquarters! Thank you and everyone! I’ll get some personal notes out when I get a minute. Also some very generous paypal donations that will go towards vaccines and felv/fiv testing.

New photos coming. I finally have some time after doing double shifts cat-sitting and (yikes!) dog watching!

I would like to take a moment to thank those who made donations to help these little ones get the food, medication and medical attention they so badly need. They cannot live on love alone. In addition, I know for a fact that Lisa is currently fostering three litters of abandoned kittens/bottle babies at the time she took these young ones in. This is an endeavor that would drain even the most dedicated person— physically, emotionally and monetarily. You can rest assured your contributions will be put to good use.

One example of the great work Lisa does fostering kittens is reputedly going to accompany her at this upcoming weekend’s adoption event at Muddy Paws.

Meet Nemo. He too is from Greenpoint (Russell Street) and in the above photograph he is blissed out on a tummy full of kitty formula. Of you have a moment this Sunday why not swing by and say “Hi” to Nemo and his pals?

North Brooklyn Cats Adoption Event
April 18, 2010 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Muddy Paws
447 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211

In closing I would like everyone to know that I not only tracked down but last night had dinner with the good Samaritan who found the Huron Street kittens. She is an amazing woman. Even her manager (who contacted me via email!) concurs. But that is the stuff of another post. Stay tuned!

Miss Heather

An Update On The Huron Street Kittens & A Contest

April 13, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

Although I have amended my earlier post regarding the four kittens that were found dumped like so much trash in front of a parking lot on Huron Street this morning I am going to write this follow-up post— and ask for your help.

First off, here’s a general run-down of what happened:

  1. I am emailed by a reader that four kittens were abandoned at Huron Street.
  2. I called PJ of Empty Cages Collective to give him a heads-up and head over to the scene.
  3. Upon finding no kittens I swung by Dog Habitat and told Jay what’s up. He told me he had received a call from someone who had found and taken home kittens from Huron Street. He referred her to Empty Cages Collective.
  4. I call PJ back and, lo, this woman had in fact contacted him. He followed up.
  5. A good friend of mine, Lisa, has taken these kittens under her care. Alas, one of them did not make it but the other three are doing alright (all things considered).
  6. A particularly disturbing thing she told me is these kittens were not from the same litter: two were one week old, two were four weeks old. This begs the question as to what happened to their litter mates. I imagine they were not so “lucky”.

In other words I had very little to do with these kittens being rescued— but I want to help them and I imagine a number of you do too. Here’s how:

  1. Lisa has made me aware that she is in need of a number of items on her Amazon Wish List. Foremost among them KMR (kitty formula). You can view and make donations to her wish list by clicking here.
  2. Secondly, those of you who prefer to make monetary donations (for veterinarian care, etc.) can do so via PayPal at: lisavallez (at) gmail (dot) com

Lastly I have spoken to Lisa and we agreed to let my readers (YOU) name these cuties. Without further ado here they are (again):

A one week old tiger boy.

A four week old tortie tigress.

And her four week old cream-colored brother.

You can tender your submissions via comments or email at: missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. I’ll set the deadline at midnight Monday, April 19, 2010. Judges and prizes have yet to be determined. Good luck and I look forward to your submissions!

Miss Heather

From The New York Shitty Inbox: More Huron Street Kittens

April 13, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

If my inbox is any indication it is raining. KITTENS that is.

T (who sent the above photographs) writes:

Heather…I’m sorry this is taking me so long to get to you – this situation is probably gone by now, either good or bad.  I was walking my dog this morning when I heard a heck of a lot of high pitched mewling coming from the corner of green and franklin.  I looked down the street and there were about four kittens, no more than a week old, on the sidewalk next to some garbage cans, crying.  There was no mother in sight, which to me was highly strange so I’m guessing they may have been dumped.  Pics of one attached and the others to follow.  My dog was going crazy so I wanted to get out of there and then I had a four hour call with clients at 8:30 so..I am the worst person in the world cuz I didn’t have time to do anything.  Maybe you can swing by on your walks?

Needless to say I made some phones calls, tossed on a jacket and headed to Franklin Street without delay. The kittens were nowhere to be found. That’s when I decided to swing by Unleash Brooklyn— and got some VERY GOOD NEWS!

Jay Lombard told me that a woman had contacted him regarding a litter of kittens she found (and had taken home) from Huron Street. We quickly deduced that these were the same young ‘uns T had contacted me about. Jay, in turn, gave her the contact information for Empty Cages Collective and I am pleased to report she has reached out to them! As I understand it, P.J. (one of the founders of Empty Cages) is going to swing by, assess their health, give them fluids and find them a foster home. This is community action at its very best, dear readers! Now if only I could have a few “words” with the person(s) who dumped these cuties like so much trash. But I digress.

This incident has a happy ending because someone took action. If you find a litter of abandoned kittens in north Brooklyn there are a number of rescue organizations who are ready, willing and able to help. Among them:

Dog Habitat: (347) 689 – 4000
Empty Cages Collective: (800) 880 – 2684
Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition: (718) 486 – 7489

Make the call. Their lives depend on you! In closing, if this tail (yes a bad pun, but I am going to make it anyway) made you smile why not make a donation to the dedicated folks at Dog Habitat or Empty Cages Collective who gave these little ones a future? You can do so by clicking here or here.

Miss Heather

UPDATE 6:16 p.m.: As I suspected one didn’t make it— but the others appear to be okay (all things considered). Here they are!

Anyone who would like to help these little ones get a leg up on life can and should make a contribution Lisa’s (the woman taking care of these kittens) Amazon Wish List. She has made it known to me that she is in particular need of KMR (kitty formula).

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