SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Photo by Erica Sherman

Gravesend Cat Friends, a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) group working to combat pet over-population and the stray cat problem in Southern Brooklyn, invites you to hear TNR expert Peter Szalaiko of Ferals in Peril deliver a presentation, October 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Kings Highway Library, 2115 Ocean Avenue near the intersection of Avenue P and Kings Highway.

Szalaiko and Gravesend Cats are also inviting neighbors to help trap 25 or more cats.

Perhaps Ned’s cat lady should attend. Or maybe she should be caught and neutered. Whatevs.

To learn more, call Susan Bercaw at (646) 708-3333 or email gravesendcats@gmail.com.

Worried about Mercedes, the poor little kitten who was stuck in a car engine on Ocean Parkway a few weeks ago?

The video above shows that Mercedes, who was rescued and adopted by Antonio Rosario, is playing around and enjoying her new home. Life With Cats says that she is  feeling fine.

After the rescue, Rosario took Mercedes to the vet and discovered she had conjunctivitis and some other minor issues. However, she fortunately was not suffering from any serious illnesses. After resting and eating well, Mercedes has recovered and appears to be enjoying her new home.

The video, taken by Rosario, shows Mercedes running around the house, kicking and chasing a small purple ball. Much better than squealing and crying, squished up in a hot car engine don’t you think?

The adorable kitten in the picture above was rescued from the engine of a car on Tuesday and adopted by her savior, who made her a star by telling the story over on his blog.

Antonio Rosario, the small kitten’s savior, and his wife Elizabeth were cruising down Ocean Parkway towards Brighton Beach, when Antonio, who was in the passenger’s seat, suddenly heard what he believed to be a cat’s cry. When they stopped at a red light, he heard the the poor little cry again.

“I look out behind me and out the window and in the adjacent lane is see a Mercedes s550 with its left front turn signal light missing from the housing,” Antonio posted on his blog. “In this housing is the little face of a kitten crying.”

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One of Berger's 45 cats. (Photo: Katherine Gonzalez)

It was back in March that we first told you about Barbara Berger, a Brighton Beach cat hoarder who faced eviction if she failed to offload more than 40 of her feline friends. At the time, Berger teamed up with the Brooklyn Animal Umbrella to put as many as 20 of the cats up for adoption at a Bensonhurst Petco.

Through that event and others, Berger was able to give up 22 cats, but must lose 12 more by June 5 or be evicted. A friend of hers, and frequent reader of Sheepshead Bites, Andrew Kent sent us the following plea:

A 51 year-old disabled Brooklyn woman, who has been struggling to comply with a Housing Court stipulation allowing her to keep just two cats from her original 45, is down to the wire and due back in court on Tuesday, June 5, at which time an already issued warrant of eviction, stayed pending her compliance with the agreement, may be sent to the City Marshal for execution.

If the warrant is executed, she will become homeless, and any cats left in her apartment will be taken by the City’s Animal Care and Control Shelter (AC&C), where most, if not all, will be euthanized for administrative convenience because they are less adoptable than the cats lucky enough to make it to the shelter’s infamous “Kill List” from which rescue groups select the kittens and cats they deem most deserving of a second chance.

Barbara Berger, 22 of whose cats have already been placed for adoption, with another 8 of the 10 she wants to keep being fostered until she can find and move to a pet-friendly building, says she is eager to surrender the remaining 12 to individuals, rescue groups, sanctuaries, or other refuges willing to accept them and not kill them.

If just a fraction of those reading this plea can each take just one or two of these cats, either by June 4th, to prevent Barbara’s eviction, or before the Marshal comes, to prevent seizure by AC&C, these cats, too, will have a second chance.

If you can help, know someone who can, or have any links, suggestions, or advice, please contact:

Andrew Kent
ASKent@msn.com
(347) 374-3903 home
(718) 791-3628 cell

The following is a message from Neighborhood Cats, “the feral cat experts.”

Click to enlarge

One of Berger's 45 cats. (Photo: Katherine Gonzalez)

Bensonhurst Bean has a report about Barbara Berger, a Brighton Beach cat hoarder ordered by her landlord to give up all but two of her 45 feline friends or face eviction. Berger has teamed up with Brooklyn Animal Umbrella and Bensonhurst’s Petco at 2601 Stillwell Avenue to hold an adoption event all weekend long to place 20 of the cats in new homes.

Courier Life was first to report on Berger’s plight, in which her fed up landlord has threatened to give her the boot from her rent-stabilized Brighton Beach apartment if she can’t offload the cats. Berger heads to court next week to find whether or not she’s been granted a reprieve.

To adopt one of Barbara Berger’s cats, contact Josephine Marrero at Brooklyn.Rescue.Umbrella@gmail.com or visit Petco at 2601 Stillwell Avenue (corner of 86th Street) anytime over the weekend.

I was just securing things in my backyard like a good little storm trooper, when I noticed these buggers in the corner. It appears our local stray cat – a beautiful orange striped thing – gave birth to its litter in the past few days. Unfortunately for me, it chose my backyard to do so. I have a cat and cannot take these kittens in. They’re in the corner of my yard and will be exposed when the hurricane comes. We called a shelter and are awaiting a response – but I fear they’re not going to be able to take them in.

The mother is around, too, but she made haste when I disturbed these guys (it’s four or five of them, I think). Anyone who takes them in should be experienced with baby kittens and know what to do. If you can take them in, please call (347) 985-0633 or e-mail nberke [at] sheepsheadbites [dot] com.

I really hope someone can give these guys a chance. Thanks.

Photo by Lisanne Anderson

We were hearing reports all day yesterday about these signs, which went up for several blocks around the Petco at Avenue Y and East 16th Street.

It does appear someone is going after local strays, so if you’ve got a pet cat who likes the outdoors, it might be a good idea to keep it inside for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve also heard all the strays at the former gas station on Avenue Z and East 16th are gone. One person yesterday told us they feared they were all dead, but another reader informed us that a friend of hers had rescued three kittens from the location. A fourth was dead. She is now looking for homes for the kitties, so speak up if you’re interested.

As the sign notes, there is a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone poisoning cats. To file a report, contact the Humane Law Enforcement of the ASPCA at (212) 876-7700 x4450.

A reader is already looking to take us up on our offer last week to help owners reunite with their lost animals. This young cat was found on Monday, when it walked right into the home our reader. It’s a sultry kitty, as you can see. The reader says the kitten is very friendly – and very bony. It was found near East 13th Street between Avenue Y and Avenue Z. It also has a black collar with black bell, but no name tag.

If you are the owner or have any information about who this cat may belong to, e-mail us or call (718) 332-2335.

View more photos of the lost cat.