Nadia update

Nadia died yesterday afternoon at the vet hospital. In the late afternoon, she quietly slipped away, peacefully and safely. This is the painful part of our work – having to face the fact that we can’t save all of the cats. Her death also raises the inevitable question of how we use our resources and whether it is worth trying to save a little cat like Nadia who was alone in the world and who didn’t belong to anyone.

Mary Jean, who was alerted to Nadia's plight and picked her up and drove her to the vet writes that "there are no easy answers for these questions, and we have to ask them over and over again. However, for myself, I am confident that we did the right thing for Nadia. She didn’t belong to anyone, but for seven hours yesterday, she was cherished by the Hyde Park Cats network; she was held in our hearts and surrounded by our compassion and love. She died in a comfortable bed, swathed in towels, warmed by hot packs (when she came in, her body temperature was 2 degrees below normal), and carefully turned by the vet techs at Hyde Park Animal Hospital. Having seen her sprawled at the bottom of a concrete stairwell, in the middle of filth and covered with flies and fleas, I have absolutely no doubt that we did the right thing in providing her a dignified and peaceful death.

The painful irony is that we can only do our work if we become deeply involved with all the individual cats that cross our paths, and yet maintain enough emotional objectivity to be able to let them go when the time comes – and still be willing to love the next one that comes along. Nadia’s brief moment in my life only strengthens my resolve to continue both loving and letting go."

To all who contributed to her care and to the rest of you who sent good wishes her way, thank you so much for these profound gestures of humanity. Nicole T., Norah O'D., Chelsea L ("Eemo"), Ruth A., Annika H., Kat H., Amy L., Marilee W. ("mom"), Heather S., Anna F., Alexis C., William M., Mamiko S.: together you have covered the bill for providing a quiet, warm, safe, and peaceful death for one small and vulnerable member of our community.

Nadia, rest in peace.

Nadia

Nadia (young female, about 6 months) was found at the bottom of a stairwell in the 6700 block of Cornell (Tanya's Tribe territory), barely breathing and limp. She is at the veterinary clinic now, but it is unclear about what is wrong. Given her symptoms, it could be trauma (though there is no evidence of wounds or broken bones), toxicity, or heat stroke. She is on fluids and perking up some. Can you please help us to cover the costs of her care? Her name, Nadia, means hope. Keep your positive thoughts flowing for Nadia ... and open your wallet! Donations of any amount are welcome. Please do not think that ten dollars doesn't help. It goes directly to paying the veterinary bill.

Molly

Part of our work at Hyde Park Cats is to provide appropriate veterinary care for our charges. Molly here went to our local vet lately for an ouchy eye, and had a fluorescent dye put in to check for lesions or scratches. Some antibiotic drops and lysine later and things are looking up for this SUPERSOFT silvery chinchilla-like kitty. The vet and assistant couldn't resist holding her ...

Who is Molly? Molly was one of our recent 'pulls' from the Animal Welfare League. She was adopted by a mother cat who had one kitten of her own! They had been at AWL for three months ... that is, her entire kittenhood. She's now out of pokey, in a foster home, and available for adoption (as is her mom and sister -- more info on them shortly).

Big meows of thanks to some recent donors -- Julian H. ("Man"), Mike H., Nadia Q. (she who brought us Sweet Pea!) and Norah O'D., who earmarked her donation for alley-cat food. And thanks to community folks who donated food, litter, and cat toys to the donations bin at Parkers! AND thank you to Parkers -- for food for our foster babies, for gathering donations, and for the unending moral support.

Dharma initiative

Dharma and her initiative of kittens continue growing ... in cuteness! Pictured here are

Thanks to Rob S. and Laurie K. for the recent donations of "stuff." Yes, readers, we CAN use your open bag of cat food, etc.

Thanks to Amy M., Julie L., and Jennifer McD for their donations to Nadia. Anything left over after paying the vet goes directly to helping other cats in need.

Sweet Pea and kittens -- trapped!

Yesterday at lunchtime I received an email "invitation" to a surprise trapping event on campus -- a beautiful black and white mama cat and four teenies (two weeks old) in one of the campus construction sites. Construction workers had found the four kittens in a construction ditch!!!!! Within mere minutes Hyde Park Cats had mobilized several members to the site, along with a trap, a towel, and some temptingly stinky wet cat food. Kittens were removed and placed into the trap, and from there it was only a matter of time until Mama -- now named Sweet Pea -- was also in the trap. The family is now safe inside, but we are seeking a foster placement and, of course, future adopters. We will also need moolah for everyone's vet care. Thanks to Nadia for emailing us right away and to everybody who helped out this family! And just in time: today it's snowing.

Click here for a photo slideshow

Sahara

Sahara is a lovely young guy, apparently less than a year old. He is totally cuddly and snuggly. He begs to be held and he purrs nonstop. It was tough to take a picture of him because he wanted to be on top of fostermom! Sahara is from Tanya's Tribe at around 67th off Stony; the same place we got Solomon, Nadia (RIP), Amos, and Big Papa.

Sadly, because all our foster homes are full, this friendly little guy received his TNR and has to be put back outside. If you're interested in fostering him, email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com.

Fawn

Fawn was recently rescued from the MJK alley. We believe she was dumped there; she is confused and a little angry right now. Here she is pictured listening to Mahler and making biscuits. She was spayed this weekend and sent to Camp Love-em-up at Fostermom Kristen's.

Thanks so much for recent donations: from Nicolas M. in memory of Nadia), from our chaver Martha B., and from Erica, who found Dharma and her kittens under a car.

Petra

Petra is an all-black Manx cat we rescued from the Animal Welfare League last week. She had been there for at least a month, very afraid in her cage. Fostermom says "she's soooo sweet -- she starts purring softly when you pet her but she is to scared to approach yet (she may be afraid of the resident dog)." Petra was turned into AWL unspayed, and had indeed born kittens in the past, but is now fixed. She had a hernia in her abdominal wall from an unknown trauma (dog attack?). She is an adult kitty, maybe seven, but quite tiny and did we mention ... without a tail? Email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com to find out more about this sweet little lady.

Big meows of thanks to some recent donors -- Julian H. ("Man"), Mike H., Nadia Q. (she who brought us Sweet Pea!) and Norah O'D., who earmarked her donation for alley-cat food. And thanks to community folks who donated food, litter, and cat toys to the donations bin at Parkers! AND thank you to Parkers -- for food for our foster babies, for gathering donations, and for the unending moral support.

April and her kitten variety box

April and her five kittens were dumped at a high-kill animal control center in a plastic tote bag. The shelter was closed but she waited patiently with the kittens until help arrived. She's very sweet and very social. She loves being petted and human companionship, catnip, and finding things to purr about. She adores her kittens and is an excellent mama. The kittens, who are an adorable assortment, are perfectly social and enjoy human companionship. When not purring their hearts away, they love to wrestle and play with each other.

They are currently being fostered in a comfy garage, but are patiently waiting for a foster or adoptive homes of their own. We have five kittens and one young mothercat. Please consider adopting April with one of her kittens.

Photo album

Thanks to Nadia for the dogcrate.

New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve, cats and kittens in our fosterspaces -- like orange boys Julius and Rigoli, who came in from the cold thanks to a caring Chicago city police officer -- await forever homes.

Pretty, a shy kitty from Champagne-Furbana, is inside and learning to love this New Year's Eve.

This New Year's Eve, we remember the kitties we said goodbye to in 2010: Adm. Adama, Mona, Spalding, Nadia, Willa, Freckles, Maxime et Maurice, Esther's third, and those who never had a name.


This New Year's Eve black and white cats like Carmen, who fostermom Katherine G. calls "the most adoptable cat ever," or lovable couch potato Leo Leonni, await forever homes.

This New Year's Eve, our alley cats are eating.

This New Year's Eve kittens like Cleo and Darius and Ray and the five cuties we're about to unveil all await their forever homes.

This New Year's Eve beautiful black cats like Lola, Madison, and Kenya await their forever homes.

This New Year's Eve, rescued one-eyed cats Lydia and Lucia Clara rest easy.

This New Year's Eve, all the kitties who were adopted from us in 2010 are curling up with their forevermom, or foreverdad, or foreverkids, with the memory of their outdoor life behind them.

This New Year's Eve, homeless cats out on the street are cold and hungry.

May 2011 bring us many more opportunities to rescue cats, yet fewer cats to rescue.