A Lot of Cats, a Lot of Love, and a Lot to Be Thankful For

An Update from Dr. Susan Whittred, Executive Director

It's been quite a while since I've sat down to write a blog post. Not because there's been nothing to talk about, but because there's been so much happening at the Ladew Cat Sanctuary that sometimes it's hard to find a moment to catch my breath!

As we prepare to launch our new website, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share some of what's been going on behind the scenes.

A Milestone Close to My Heart

One of our proudest moments this year was celebrating our 100th adoption through our Seniors for Seniors Program.

This program is especially personal to me. Years ago, after my own parents lost their beloved cats, I watched a little of their spark disappear. When they finally welcomed two new cats into their lives, everything changed. Suddenly, they had someone to shop for, someone to fuss over, and something wonderful to talk about. The difference was remarkable.

That experience inspired our Seniors for Seniors Program, which pairs senior cats with senior people while the Foundation covers the cats' veterinary care for life at participating hospitals. One hundred cats. One hundred opportunities for companionship, comfort, and love. I can't think of a better reason to celebrate.

Helping Cats Before They're Born

Our Sweetie's Spay & Neuter Squad has also been incredibly busy. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we've distributed over 3000 vouchers to help spay and neuter community cats throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Every surgery means fewer kittens born outdoors to face hunger, disease, and an uncertain future. It's not always the most glamorous part of rescue work, but I firmly believe it's one of the most important.

The Ones Who Need Us Most

And then there are the cats who arrive needing much more than a warm bed and a good meal. This summer, we took in 27 cats and kittens from a heartbreaking hoarding and breeding situation in Glen Cove. Many arrived terribly ill, suffering from severe respiratory and eye infections. There were emergency hospitalizations, sleepless nights, countless medications, and moments when we truly didn't know if some of them would survive.

But there were also miracles. Little Finn, who spent weeks requiring oxygen and was eventually diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, finally went home to join her brother Mako. Milkshake battled serious illness, including FIP. And one by one, the cats we once worried might not survive began leaving for loving homes.

More recently, we've been caring for Junebug, a sweet, playful boy with severe nasal problems. After multiple examinations and a CT scan, we learned that his nasal turbinates had been destroyed, most likely from chronic infections long before he came to us. There is no surgery that can fix the damage, but we can manage his infections, keep him comfortable, and give him all the love he deserves.

Not every story comes with the ending we hoped for. Sometimes rescue means accepting what we cannot change while doing everything possible for the animal in front of us.

More Than Just a Shelter

This year has also reminded me how important our work is to people. We reunited Spot with his family after his owner was hospitalized and Spot was taken to Animal Care Centers without the family's knowledge. What could have ended in permanent separation instead became a beautiful reunion. And through our Seniors for Seniors Program, Spot's owner now has the added reassurance that his veterinary care will be covered.

Stories like Spot's are why we're working to build a network of emergency foster homes for people facing hospitalization, fires, or other unexpected hardships. Sometimes a little temporary help is all that's needed to keep a family together.

Looking Toward the Future

Perhaps one of the things I'm most excited about is that we're finally moving ahead with plans to renovate and expand our clinic!

Our plans include a dedicated room just for our senior cats, giving these older, often overlooked kitties a peaceful, comfortable space of their own. We'll also be adding more adoption rooms so that even more cats can have the opportunity to meet their future families in a welcoming environment.

And something I've been hoping for for a very long time — a much-needed enlargement of our surgical suite! As our medical and spay/neuter work continues to grow, having additional surgical space will make an enormous difference in what we're able to accomplish.

These improvements have been a dream of ours for years, and seeing the plans move forward is incredibly exciting. There is still much work to be done, but I can't wait for the day when we can welcome everyone into our improved facility. Along with our new website and the continued growth of our programs, there is so much to look forward to.

But even as we grow, one thing will never change: our commitment to giving every cat who comes through our doors the very best chance at a happy life. Some stay for a few weeks. Others stay for years. Some come to us young and healthy, while others arrive old, frightened, or terribly sick. Every single one matters.

And Finally, Thank You.

To our donors, volunteers, adopters, veterinary partners, and everyone who shares our stories, sends supplies, makes a donation, or simply cheers us on — thank you. You make it possible for us to say yes when a cat needs help, even when we know the road ahead may be long and expensive.

I hope you'll visit our new website often, follow our stories, and continue to be part of this wonderful community of people who believe, as I do, that every cat deserves to be loved.

With gratitude,

Dr. Susan Whittred
Executive Director
Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc.