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NEWSLETTER OF THE PATRICIA H. LADEW CAT SANCTUARY
VOLUME 4 NO. 5
AUTUMN 2014
Giving Thanks Why Do Black Cats Get such a Bad Rap on Hall ween? for a
itty Cent (right), our full on rapper, Fis still black cat — who loves his bling— looking for a forever home!
You can read his story in Spotlight on Sponsorship on page 5. Black cats actually get a bad rap year’round and are hard to get adopted. Ever wonder why black cats are associated with Halloween? We had to delve deep into the origins of Halloween to find the answer!
Banner Year at PHLF H Call us at (516) 922-CATS! Our Fax # (516) 922-5203
Visit us at theladewcatsanctuary.org or www.facebook.com/ theladewcatsanctuary
alloween means All Hallows Eve, because it’s the night before All Hallows Day, also known as All Saint’s Day. In Scotland, evening is pronounced e’en which, when paired with Hallow, sounds like Hallow e’en or the common Halloween. It seems Halloween stems from the ancient Celts of the British Isles (Ireland, Scotland and Wales are mostly of Celtic origin), who celebrated a religious festival on October 31st. According to Celtic belief, on October 31st, the wall between the physical world and the spirit world was lowered which allowed spirits to return, so people in those times, wore costumes to protect their true identity from the spirits and to scare the spirits away.
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lack cats became associated with Halloween, because cats are nocturnal and, particularly true of black cats, at night you only see the glow of their yellow or green eyes. Because of this, they seemed to be a perfect match for a somewhat scary night-time holiday. Black cats have also had the unfortunate connection to superstition as well as their supposed association with witches where this belief, in midevil times, led people to even kill black cats. So, why is the black cat associated with Halloween? We now know that due to false beliefs stemming back to ancient times and the color of their fur and eyes, the black cat became the unforunate victim of circumstance! Happy Halloween from all of us at PHLF — black cats and otherwise!
A Happy Cat Tale From Minka
ladew mews © AUTUMN 2014 The Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc.
Executive Editor - Susan V. Whittred, DVM Creative Editor - Elise Klingensmith Sanctuary Photography - Lynn Manno
Hey gang, Here I am, in my new forever home, on my soft loveseat, surrounded by orchids instead of clanging cages with barking dogs. I can’t wait to spend my first Thanksgiving in my new home! How did I get so lucky? Well, I’ll tell you. I wound up at a city shelter when my family had to bring me, because the landlord wouldn’t allow pets anymore. So a couple of weeks ago, they took me to an adoption event called Adoptapalooza, where somebody from that shelter asked Dr. Susan Whittred to take me with her to the best cage-free cat sanctuary in the world. They cleaned me up and treated me like a princess. What a place!!! The first night Dr. Whittred called my new mom, Elise, and told her all about me. (Dr. Susan knew she couldn’t resist my chocolate brown fur and sweet disposition. Mom calls me her cherie chocolate. That’s French, I think.) After a week of check ups and paper work, my new mom was driving home from Oyster Bay to Belle Harbor. Too bad nobody remembered to tell mom I get car sick — it didn’t take long for her to figure that out on her own! It was on that car ride that I learned how much my new mom must love me. Anymeow, I’m just 2 years old, and in my second home, but I know this one is for keeps. I also have a new dad who serves breakfast most mornings, lots of new friends and 2 floors to choose from. There must be 20 pretty cat beds to try, but I think I like the pillows next to my mom the best. I also like to keep her company when she’s cooking or working at the computer for the ladew mews.
Board of Directors: Elliot L Hoffman, Esq. Bruce E. Trauner, Esq. Steve Blumert, Esq. Jason Karlinsky, Esq. Director of Veterinary Medicine Susan V. Whittred, DVM Licensed Veterinary Technician Andrea Castro Manager — Lynn Manno Caretaker — JoAnn Studley Volunteers: Tatum Christiansen (and Insperity) Beata Boruta Robin Fishman Jane Totura
Call us at (516) 922-CATS! Our fax # is (516) 922-5203. Visit us at: theladewcatsanctuary.org
Send us your mews!
The Ladew Cat Sanctuary family is always on the alert for updates and happy, interesting, or just plain amusing cat tales about our former residents. Please email to:
Maybe I’ll get some real roasted turkey this Thanksgiving. I just hope mom doesn’t expect me to go on any more car rides. Maybe Dr. Susan will make house calls for me. I just wanted to share my good mews with you. I promise to keep you posted. Love, Minka Klingensmith
Dr. Susan Whittred, DVM info@theladewcatsanctuary.org
ladew mews — AUTUMN 2014 — page two
Giving Thanks for all of the adopters and sponsors who help us help cats from ACC! Update on Candy: When Candy (formerly Kosia) was at Animal Care and Control, a plea was sent out for a rescue group to take her. Newborns are at high risk of infectious disease and a crowded shelter is less than an ideal environment for them. Candy was also semiferal/feral and as a result, was terrified and swatting at everyone in site. When ACC gets cats like this, they send out a message to New Hope Partners (approved rescues) to help. We had room at the time and offered space to Candy and her 5 newborns. After a few days, Candy began to relax, and all she had to concentrate on was taking care of her kittens.
Konnie, Kasey, Kane, Kam and Kyle
Her kittens have all been adopted, but Candy is still not trusting of the human race. She is a beautiful cat who has lots of cat friends and lives in one of our cage-free cat rooms. Candy has the freedom to enjoy the rustic run whenever she wants or to cuddle up on a comfy bed or one of the wall nooks. If you would like to help us help the cats from ACC, any donation helps.
To help Candy click here Update on Charlene:
Charlene and her newborns, Kiwi and Strawberry, were another family that needed to be rescued from Animal Care and Control. It didn’t take Charlene long to relax and trust us. She’s as sweet as her two kittens! Unfortunately, the three of them were diagnosed with ringworm and are nearly finished with their treatment. As soon as we get the “all clear,” they will be ready to Charlene Kiwi and Strawberry go to new homes. A big thank you to everyone who has helped us with their care. Folks from all over the United States and as far reaching as Italy have really stepped up to the plate! Thank you to all of you! If you would like to donate to the care of Charlene, Kiwi and Strawberry, any dollar amount helps!
Thanks again!!!!
To help Charlene click here
ladew mews — AUTUMN 2014 — page three
Giving Thanks
to all of the adopters and volunteers who helped make 2014 a record year for adoptions!
Adoptapalooza: A HUGE success!
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doptapalooza, The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals’ signature pet adoption extravaganza, was a huge success! We would like to welcome all the new Ladew family members and take this opportunity to give thanks to all the wonderful people who have opened up their hearts and homes to our precious Ladew kitties! The day was beautiful and the turnout couldn’t have been better. 10 of our cats and kittens found their forever homes! Of course the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animal’s didn’t let us go home empty-handed and managed to transfer three more cats to us before we left — AND THEY FOUND HOMES TOO!!!
Early in the day, Pillows for Paws (photo right), stopped by and donated hand-made quilt bedding for our kitties. This incredible group is a 100% volunteer run group of animal lovers. The group donates enrichment items, including their handmade beds and toys to the abandoned, abused and homeless cats, dogs and rabbits living at NYC shelters. Thank you to Pillows for Paws!!! This event would not be possible without our incredible team of volunteers — a huge round of applause to all of you!!! We have had reports from all of our new families and everyone is doing well! You can’t ask for any better than that. And the winners are . . . See our new Ladew Family Members on page 6.
The day didn’t go without some drama — one of North Shore Animal League’s cats escaped it’s cage and some quick-thinking rescue folks managed to trap him under a box. Ladew’s Dr. Susan and Manager, Lynn Manno, raced to the rescue and the kitty was safely back in his carrier in no time.
ladew mews — AUTUMN 2014 — page four
Ask Dr. Susan...
Spotlight on
“How can I keep my cat safe on Haloween?”
SPONSORSHIP
H
alloween is a time which may unfortunately bring out the worst in celebrants. False superstitions are often used as excuses for mistreatment and/or abuse of neighborhood animals, especially cats, and particularly black cats. It is up to those of us who care deeply about our felines to make a special effort to look out for them on Halloween.
For safety’s sake, try to observe the following:
Sponsor a Black Cat for Halloween
Keep your cats indoors. Make sure your indoor kitties don’t slip out when trick or treaters are at the door. If you are opening your door for trick or treaters, it might be wise to keep your cat(s) in a closed room so they can’t get out through the open door. Keep candies, especially chocolates out of reach. Even foil and plastic wrappers pose a threat to our curious kitties who could ingest them by carrying them in their mouths while batting them around the house. Be vigilant! If you see something, say something. Our cats depend on us!
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
2015 Ladew Cat Calendar! The 2015 Ladew Cat Calendar is nearly finished and will be shipping mid-November. All proceeds go to the care of the cats and kittens at the Patricia H. Ladew Foundation.
Get your Ladew Cat Sanctuary 2015 Calendar in time for the holidays. Give a great gift for Christmas or Hanukkah, while supporting our precious Ladew Rescue Kitties.
FITTY CENT
Click here.
ladew mews — AUTUMN 2014 — page five
Fitty Cent, a sleek, beautiful bombay, prefers to stay close to home on Halloween and every day for that matter! Dr. Susan Whittred said, “He first came to us with urinary tract problems. His owners didn’t think they could take care of him and brought him to the vet’s office to be euthanized. The vet instead arranged for Fitty to come to the sanctuary. We love the big guy, and he seems happy with us.” You can help us take care of Fitty (and keep him in the bling he insists on wearing) until he finds his forever home by sponsoring him. You can also visit our blog and see who else is looking for sponsorship (or homes!). Gift sponsorship is also available.
To sponsor Fitty Cent click here
Giving Thanks
to all of our new Ladew Family Members
...continued from page 4
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doptapalooza was truly a gift that keeps on giving. Thank you to all of our new Ladew Family Members, who opened the hearts and their homes to these precious rescue kitties.
ladew mews — AUTUMN 2014 — page six