Neighborhood Cats

07/20/2025

HIGGINS IS FEELING SO MUCH BETTER NOW!
https://donate.neighborhoodcats.org/campaign/700473/donate
Three weeks ago Higgins was a very sad little cat - with good reason. The young tuxedo from Saint Albans, Queens, had just been diagnosed with stomatitis, a terrible autoimmune disease. He was in agony as worsening infection attacked his gums and the roof of his mouth. With no money and unsure where to turn, Sasha, his caretaker could only watch as Higgins grew weaker. By the time she found her way to Neighborhood Cats, he was glassy-eyed from pain and nearly unable to eat. We quickly shared Higgins’ story with you, our dedicated friends, and asked for your help. That’s when everything changed.

With your generous support Higgins was able to have the surgery that stopped the disease in its tracks. He slept for nearly twenty-four hours after the grueling operation to remove all his teeth and when he woke up, he was a new cat! Now the sadness is gone from his face. His amber eyes are clear and bright and he can eat soft food to his heart’s content (his gums still need to heal a bit more before he can tackle crunchies). And in a sure sign that he’s feeling so much better, his sweet personality is starting to shine through. Higgins is fascinated by a pair of fuzzy foster kittens in the kennel next to his and he watches them keenly. Sometimes he stretches a paw through his cage door towards the babies, or mews at them like a reassuring uncle. He keeps his own toy-filled kennel spotless and falls asleep at night with his head propped on his favorite plush sunflower.

It will take time for Higgins to fully recover from the devastating effects of his ordeal - but thanks to you he’s getting stronger every day. Your kindness saved his life. He’s a lucky boy to have you as a friend!

Missed Higgins' original story? You can check it out here: https://mailchi.mp/neighborhoodcats/higgins?e=5b70ad143d

07/18/2025

FRIENDLY FRIDAY - MEET RILEY! ❤️

If you're searching for a fun, friendly, well-behaved companion (who also happens to be super-handsome), look no further. Riley is a one year old ginger & white domestic shorthair who's ready to be your new BFF!

This boy LOVES people (kids too) and is always up for playime together or, if you're busy, amusing himself solo with his toys. He is not used to other cats and will be happiest as your one and only. Riley is healthy, neutered and up-to-date on vaccines. He is now in Sunnyside, Queens and hoping someone special will soon give him the forever home he's dreaming of. Might that be you? To learn more, or to meet sweet Riley please call or text Kristen at (917) 599-7039.

07/09/2025

CELEBRATE OUR 25TH WITH A CAT FOOD GIFT!
Your donation will go straight to the streets
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2KY0BDPPXK9BU?type=wishlist&filter=all&sort=price-asc&viewType=list
This Friday, July 11, marks 25 years of Neighborhood Cats helping street cats in New York City and beyond. What better way to help celebrate than donating food to NYC cats and caretakers! Wet food is a particular need right now so we're asking just for canned.

To donate, go to the Neighborhood Cats 25TH BIRTHDAY WISH LIST. Log into your Amazon account first and then make your selection by clicking "Add to Cart." When you check out, be sure to choose Neighborhood Cats Gift Registry Address for where to ship. Amazon will send your gift directly to us (for free if you have Amazon Prime) and we'll distribute it to local colony caretakers.

Your gift will keep the cats healthy, happy and well-fed, and launch our next 25 years of making their lives better. Thanks for being part of this community of compassion!

07/02/2025

EXCITING NEW GRANT FOR TNR GROUPS AND PROGRAMS
https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/summerlee-grant/
United Spay Alliance has launched the Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program, a new initiative designed to strengthen and expand humane community cat programs across the United States. With generous support from the Summerlee Foundation, the grants offer a holistic approach that combines targeted financial support with expert training, mentorship, and practical tools to help organizations build sustainable, high-impact TNR programs.

The application period runs from July 1 through July 15, 2025, and awards will be announced in early August. Starting September 15, a representative from each organization accepted will attend (tuition-free!) the 8-week Community Cats Program Management course offered by the University of Pacific, Bernerd College. Following the course, funding around the range of $4,000 to $8,000 will be provided for a community cat related project designed in cooperation with United Spay Alliance mentors. Implementation of the project along with regular virtual meetings with fellow grantees will complete the program.

Organizations that could benefit include:

TNR groups wanting to grow and increase the impact of their efforts
Shelters looking to start or improve a TNR program
Cat rescues looking to expand into TNR
Animal control agencies wanting to get actively involved with community cat management

The application period is short and already open, so if you're interested, don't delay! Follow the link above to learn more.

07/01/2025

Poor Spooky! The senior feral from Staten island somehow got a piece of PVC piping stuck tightly around her neck. A local rescuer drop-trapped her this morning, then Neighborhood Cats hurried her to a nearby vet. She was sedated and freed from the pipe, treated for an infected wound on her back and started on a course of antibiotics.

Tonight Spooky is feeling much happier! 😸 We've got her settled with an experienced foster mom so she can rest and fully recover before she returns to her colony.

06/20/2025

Hot weather is here and that means lots and lots of swimming pools, ready for summer fun. But did you know that unattended pools pose a serious threat to pets and wildlife? Each year many animals, from dogs and cats to frogs, squirrels, bats and birds fall into pools, can't climb out and, tragically, don't survive.

Fortunately, there's an easy solution. If you have a pool, please consider adding a simple device like Frog Log to safeguard wildlife (and/or the pet version, the Pup Plank). Check it out at

The FrogLog allows animals to escape from your swimming pool. The FrogLog saves animals while keeping your water clean. Order the FrogLog products online now!

06/18/2025

Sure, kittens are adorable....
https://www.jenreeder.com/_files/ugd/35edd0_25dc096d147c4f7bae1973effb950923.pdf
but if you're adopting one, and already have a cat at home your resident kitty might not be all that impressed! Avoid stress and conflict, and help your new housemates bond with proven introduction techniques, described in the article "A Kitten Makes Two" in the current issue of Inside Your Cat's Mind magazine. The article features tips and guidance from kitten expert and longtime Neighborhood Cats Board Member Nancy Peterson.

06/17/2025

HAVE YOU SEEN MICHELLE? She is a gentle former community cat who slipped out of her family's home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Michelle is a 5 year old black and white tuxedo. She has slight corneal scarring on both eyes. She is microchipped.

Michelle was last seen on May 23 in the vicinity of Willoughby/Stuyvesant/Vernon Avenues, zip code 11206. Anyone with information on her whereabouts, please CALL OR TEXT Cindy at 646-504-4123.

PLEASE CROSSPOST!

06/16/2025

Learn how to use a drop trap this Saturday, 6/21
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/141353658981139291
THE DROP TRAP: A TRAPPER'S BEST FRIEND
Sat, June 21, 2025, 2 - 4pm ET

Trying to catch the last unfixed cat in your colony? Got a tough feral who just won’t go into a regular trap no matter how much you spend on roasted chicken? Can't get all the feeders to stop putting out food? How about catching a litter of kittens all at once—with their mom? All these tough trapping situations and more can be solved if you know how to use a drop trap.

This webinar is presented by Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond of Neighborhood Cats, the group which co-designed the popular Tomahawk drop trap. In the first half of the course, we'll cover the basics from set-up to how and when to pull. Then we'll dive into more advanced techniques like drop-trapping on uneven surfaces, catching multiple cats at once, and using trail cameras and remote controls. Plus we'll introduce the new "auto-drop trap," invented during the Maui Wildfire rescue.

Can't make it live? Register and a link for the recording will be emailed to you. Hosted by the Community Cats Podcast and sponsored by Tomahawk Live Trap. Animal control officers are eligible for Continuing Education Units from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) (https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/).

Registration fee for the webinar is $10. Follow the link above to reserve your spot!

06/13/2025

COURT UPHOLDS SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY CAT PROGRAM
https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/san-diego-return-to-field-program
Read the decision finding Return-to-Field is not abandonment when it comes to unowned cats (follow the link above to download)

06/12/2025

TUTTLE HAS A WHOLE NEW LIFE...THANKS TO YOU!
https://donate.neighborhoodcats.org/campaign/665761/donate
Remember Tuttle, the ten-year-old ginger tabby from Brooklyn? Neighborhood Cats rescued him way back in February, when he was in dire shape. The poor boy was suffering from advanced dental disease and severe anemia and was on the brink of losing his vision to a congenital eye disease. He needed a LOT of care, so we turned to you to pull him through. Today we’re thrilled to share some big updates on the big guy’s progress!

For starters, Tuttle had his dental surgery and all went well. After healing from a whopping 18 extractions, he can eat, drink and wash normally again. Now his handsome orange coat is spotless and he’s cleaning his plate - crunchies too! - at every meal.

Even better news...thanks to you Tuttle’s sight has been saved. Just in time, specialty surgery prevented his left eye from rupturing and corrected the inward-growing lashes that plagued him for so long. For the first time in his life there’s no pain when he opens his beautiful eyes wide to drink in the world around him.

And finally, yep, you guessed it. Tuttle has been adopted! These days home is an airy, spacious apartment in lower Manhattan with overstuffed armchairs and sunny windowsills for napping, tall cat trees and oceans of toys. In other words, Kitty Paradise. Like Tuttle, his new furry companions are all good-natured, senior rescues. His mom, wise in the ways of former ferals, has let Tuttle go at his own pace as he adjusts to life indoors. The picture above is from this week, during his first brave trip through the living room.

Tuttle is thriving because you cared. Please give yourself a well-earned pat on the back and know you have our heartfelt thanks for giving generously and making his bright future possible. Purrs from Tuttle!

Help us help the next cat in need! Follow the link above to make your life-saving gift.

Missed Tuttle's original story? Check it out here: https://mailchi.mp/neighborhoodcats/save-tuttle?e=5b70ad143d

06/10/2025

LEARN TNR THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 14
https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/5162202024417496160
Neighborhood Cats
TNR Certification Workshop
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 2 - 4:30pm ET
(or watch the recording)

Become part of the solution for feral and stray cats in your community! Learn how to do Trap-Neuter-Return at our popular virtual training.

In this session, you’ll learn:
*What TNR is and why it works
*Prepare for trapping and handle challenges
*Communicate effectively with neighbors whether they like the cats or don't want them around
*Manage feeding stations and provide winter shelter
*Organize and conduct large-scale trapping operations

What’s included:
*Interactive training format with real-life video footage
*Extensive handouts and resources
*Certificate of attendance upon passing a short quiz
*Access to a dedicated TNR networking group on Facebook
*Optional live Q&A with our instructors

Instructed by Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond of Neighborhood Cats, hosted by the Community Cats Podcast and sponsored by Tomahawk Live Trap. Participants receive a Certificate of Attendance and animal control officers are eligible for Continuing Education Units from the National Animal Care & Control Association. $10 course fee.

Can't make it live? To become certified, register for the June 14 session and view the recording by June 21. Follow the link above to reserve your spot today!