Successful Foster Story: DEBORAH & LEON

A friend of All Sentient Beings found Leon, a sweet cat who loves to be petted. He had nowhere to go, so ASB found him a loving foster home with Deborah and her family, including her cats, Jeter, Gypsy and Cheddar.

According to Deborah, Leon has adapted beautifully and is now a full-fledged member of the family, with everyone taking a great liking to him! He loves to pull out toys from a bin and play with them. Leon also enjoys playing with the other cats and has even helped shy Cheddar to hide less and feel comfortable with more petting.

Deborah says, "Leon is such a great cat! Thank you for the opportunity to foster him."

Read the success story of one of our adopted cats, MAEVE, as told by her owner, Amy:

In early April 2009, I had just moved out of a horrible midtown rental and was crashing at various friends' and relatives' pads while waiting to close on my first co-op, a lovely studio near Columbus Circle. At a local bakery, I noticed All Sentient Beings' poster of Maeve the Celtic Calico. Her lovely markings and heartbreaking story were compelling, but it was her scared little face I could not turn away from; you could see the despair in her eyes over being given up by her family. I could not believe such a sweet, beautiful, healthy cat and long-term member of a family had been so rudely abandoned!

I contacted Gregg immediately, was lucky enough to meet Maeve that evening, and loved my precious Maeve at first sight. While the petite kitty was lucky to be rescued from the shelter by ASB and fostered kindly by Gregg, she was in obvious distress over Gregg's much larger and more boisterous feline roommates.

I signed the adoption papers and would have loved to take Maeve home immediately but had no home yet. Rather than keep little Maeve waiting another ten days for her new mommy, Gregg suggested, in her typical problem-solving fashion, that I should stay in her guest room with Maeve so we could both have some peace and quiet - and bonding!

Maeve has been my trusty companion ever since, and we soon moved into our beloved Columbus Circle studio. Finally owning my first home was immeasurably better with my four-legged friend to share it. We settled in to enjoy the place together, and I could not have found a better roommate. Maeve is beautiful inside as well as out, and not only has the renowned feline intelligence and poise, but grace, courage, and empathy. She bounced back from her death row ordeal quickly, making our new apartment a real home.

We often fell asleep watching Animal Planet (Maeve loves Cesar Milan and his antics with silly canines) or doing homework (me reading a book and her sitting on it), and I'd wake up feeling her snowy paw caressing my face and reminding me gently that it was time for breakfast. She has charmed friends and family alike with her kittenish but always ladylike manners.

In August 2010, I had to uproot little Maeve again to start my clinical psychology doctoral program in Huntsville, Texas at Sam Houston State University, where pets are considered colleagues. Maeve adjusted to the Wild West much more gracefully than her mommy and is keeping me sane despite the insanity of the graduate student path. She patrols for armadillos and other dangers from her perch on the windowseats and is always finding new sights and smells to marvel at in the "Republic of Texas."

Especially now, my little Maeve is priceless, everything else I can buy with MasterCard - after I pay off my student loans! Thank you Gregg and everyone at ASB!!

Success Story: BEATRICE & GUCCI

Michael has adopted "Beatrice" (whom became Belle) and "Gucci" (whom became Giselle). Look at these two beautiful babies. No more on death row, happy as can be.

Happy Ending: NIGEL

Nigel - He likes to hang out on people's shoulders and back and is both independent and a sweet cuddler.

Nigel recently has an operation on his small intestines. He is healthy and recovering well. He is a very special kitty. He is totally full of energy and tricks. And such a cuddler!! He is also quite the escape artist. I had the privilege of watching him on a few occasions and he is such a lover. He's both feminine and romantic and husky and ready to bounce. Be warned, leaving the house was hard - those big eyes gazing into you, saying "don't go!". He is also a rescue kitty which means he'll eat anything you leave out so beware! (very "kitty" of him). I know if you met him you would fall in love like I have!

GABI, aka "SCOUT"

In August of 2009, ASB responded to a hoarding situation in upper Manhattan. We found at least a dozen cats abandoned in an empty, filthy apartment. That day we took two of them, and a little at a time the city's animal control helped us empty the apartment. We rescued about nine or so from this apartment through the ACC in the weeks after that.

Gabi is one of those first two removed from that horrible situation. A kind soul and dear friend to ASB fostered him in New Jersey, and saw him through months of illness and tough times. Today he is healthy, happy, and living permanently with his foster mom, who has renamed him Scout. We wish you many years of happiness and peace together!

PIERROT

This is "PIERROT". We rescued this beautiful "Bundle of Love" from a kill shelter right before he was to be euthanized. He warmed his way into our hearts and into the hearts of everyone with his gorgeous soft snow white fur, creamsicle orange patterns, and affectionate calm nature. After being in a cage at the kill shelter for some time and lugged for blocks in a carrier, when he arrived at our rescue he simply laid down, crossed his paws, and patiently waited for us to take care of him and find someone to love him. This special boy was also a favorite at the shelter where we rescued him. A shelter volunteer wrote, "He [Pierrot] allowed himself to be wrapped in a large towel and taken all over the place so I could show off what a gem he is, and all he did was simply hug around the neck in return. He took everyone in stride, and when shown the other cats he just nuzzled them, no hisses but a simple meow in greeting. He is so huggable and loving! He also kisses on the chin and face! It was so hard putting him back into the cage and oh how he purred." Thankfully, Pierrot's cage days are over; he instead spends his time relaxing in his new home with his loving family and new Furmate, Raven (both pictured, center).

IZNIK

This is "IZNIK" or "IZZY". She was rescued as a tiny kitten near Prospect Park (Brooklyn) in late summer of '09, when our President and Founder, Gregg Mayer, noticed her peeking out from behind a statue. At the time, Izzy was obviously too small to be on her own and Gregg, who was traveling out of the country within days, was pressed for time. Nevertheless, Gregg did what she does best, put herself aside and quickly got this little girl to safety. This young feisty being was a source of entertainment for us with her endless supply of energy. She loved running after her toys with so much speed and gusto that when she would turn to run back the other way, her furry little body would instead spin in circles on the hardwood floors. Another of her favorite games was to rearrange all of the food mats as quickly as Gregg could fix them. Her greatest joy, though, was when Pierrot (pictured above Iznik) arrived. He was her favorite playmate, much to his chagrin as he was very calm and docile and did not care much for her rambunctiousness.

After making quite an impression on us and the other cats in the rescue, Izzy's well-deserved Furrever family arrived. Izzy is pictured above, center, relaxing in her new home a far cry from the palm-sized kitten found wandering alone behind a statue in Brooklyn... thank goodness!

GRAY

This is "GRAY". We rescued this beautiful young girl from a terrible hoarding situation in the summer of '09. She was heartlessly abandoned with more than a dozen other cats when their owner abruptly moved out of the country and left them all behind. Living with very little attention or food, this sweet little girl managed to survive. After thriving in a wonderful foster home for months, Gray now has a Purrmanent loving home to call her own.

DOMINIQUE

This is "DOMINIQUE" or "DOMO", a beautiful 1-year-old kitty rescued as a homeless kitten from the island of Jamaica. ASB's Founder, Gregg Mayer, came upon Domo while visiting Jamaica and decided that she was too special to leave behind. Eventually, Domo found a home in rural Massachusetts with her loving Pawrent, who says that she is "a true snuggle bug and beautiful little girl, who enjoys being the biggest personality in the house and is thriving with her new family."

PHOENIX & BARLOW

This is "PHOENIX" (left) and "BARLOW" (right). This is "PHOENIX" (left) and "BARLOW" (right). These 2 beautiful kitties, who had grown up and lived happily together for 6 years, were in danger of being sent to a kill pound when their owner fell on tough financial times. Thankfully, one of our flyers made it into the hands of a wonderful loving couple willing to take in P & B together and provide them with a new home and a second chance at life. Here is the fantastic news as told by Trudy, one of our fellow cat rescuers and volunteers!

"Just this afternoon, Phoenix and Barlow went to their NEW, WONDERFUL, LOVING HOME...TOGETHER! How's that for a great furry tale ending! This couple saw their poster in the city, that you had made and kindly posted all over NYC! Even this situation was touch a go b/c the couple had an 18-year-old sick (cancer) kitty and they didn't want to disrupt her. They had found a wonderful foster home for P&B until their baby passed, as it was imminent. She passed last Sunday and therefore they took P & B directly HOME today after they met today! Wanted to share this long-awaited, HAPPY NEWS with you!!!"

ENBRESS

This is "ENBRESS." We rescued this beautiful young girl from the terrible Hoarding situation in late summer 2009. She was heartlessly abandoned with more than a dozen other cats (including Gray) when their owner abruptly moved out of the country and left them all behind. Living with very little attention or food, this beautiful, regal girl managed to survive. Enbress is now in a very loving home and affectionately now known as LULU. Here is an update on Enbress/LuLu as told by her new Pawrent:

"Just wanted to let you know LULU is getting acclimated... she purred on the 2nd day, ventured out in my bedroom by 3rd day... and started rolling on her back for us to pet her on tummy on Saturday. She's very affectionate... purrs all the time... started slowly venturing into the living room... she still retreats to her crate when she needs to feel safe. I never thought I'd get a cat! But I have to say my daughter & I are tickled pink with our Miss Lulu...she's very sweet and easy going....."

SAMMY

"SAMMY" was rescued in July 2009 when he was spotted wandering alone in a Bronx neighborhood. He was found frighteningly underweight, unaltered, and dodging traffic. He had been thrown out on the street by a local grocery store to fend for himself after the store owners decided that he no longer served their purposes.

With Sammy's backbone and shoulder blades easily visible, it was obvious to his rescuer that Sammy needed food. As hungry as he must have been, there was something he wanted even more than food... love. When Sammy was brought indoors and given food, he looked at it, took a few bites, but did not finish. Instead, he climbed up his rescuer's lap, draped himself over her shoulder, and pushed his head up against her neck to get the big hug he had been desperately waiting for. Eventually he jumped down and devoured his food, but not before taking breaks in between to get hugs. Throughout his meal, he couldn't decide which he needed more, food or love. Needless to say, it quickly became apparent how special this little guy was.

We are happy to say that Little Sammy Kat now has a loving family to give him all of the hugs and food he will ever need or want.

WINNIE

This is an account of our rescue as told by ASB's Founder and President, Gregg Mayer:

"This is "WINNIE", the beautiful 12-year-old kitty in Englewood, NJ whose people had decided she would be better off in the woods than in a (kill) shelter. They wrote to several of us asking for help in finding her a new home, since they were moving. Their son had become allergic, so they wouldn't be taking Winnie along. Apparently, they'd "tried everything" and nobody would take an older cat, etc., etc. Trudy (in L.I.) and I got out all our network lists. The family really was going to leave her out to survive the best she could outside, after having been indoors for 12 years. She'd been vetted, spayed etc., but would've been in for a horrible fate. That Thursday night around 11pm, the saga began; Friday morning between 8-11:30, Trudy and I had rounded up nearly everyone in the entire world of cat rescue known to either or both of us. My wonderful NJ rescue contact, Millie, agreed to fetch Winnie cuz we honestly didn't want to leave her there a moment longer than was necessary, not trusting the people to stick around as long as they'd promised. Then, after I'd agreed to take Winnie home to foster once I returned from out-of-town (Sunday eve), one of our terrific cat adopters, Estella (who'd taken Jolene from me last year everybody remembers that saga, surely!) contacted us to say she'd adopt Winnie."

So, Winnie is now adopted, out of harm's way, and beginning the second chapter of her life.

SEBASTIAN

This little cutie is "SEBASTIAN". In June of 2009, Sebastian found himself in need of a new home when his owner moved into an assisted living facility. We caught wind of his situation through our online networking and began cross-posting online and in our surrounding areas. As adorable as he is, we knew he would not be without a home for long. With the help of a flyer hung in an office coffee room by our newest and extremely dedicated volunteer, Megan, Sebastian found his Furrever home. Below are a few words from one of Sebastian's loving Pawrents:

"We are entering week 8 and we love him and we think he loves us, one happy family!!! Thank you for posting the picture in the TCB Coffee room. If Jeri hadn't seen it, we (including Sebastian) wouldn't be having so much joy!! It is a wonderful thing you and your team are doing. It will hopefully inspire others to adopt and enjoy!!"

MAEVE

This is "MAEVE", the little Celtic Calico whom we pulled from death row earlier in 2009. She was with a family as their "beloved" pet for 11 years, but was sent to a shelter when her owner suddenly became allergic. Maeve had a tough time in the beginning and was also frightened, wondering where her family had gone. With a lot of love and leg-work on behalf of our Founder, Gregg Mayer, Maeve was given a second chance with a wonderful woman named Amy. Maeve has found her Furrever home with Amy, a home where she could not be more cherished and loved.

SABRINA

We rescued "SABRINA", a beautiful pure-breed Persian with Tortoiseshell color and a sweet nature, in February when she was banished from her home for not getting along with the dogs in her existing household. When we rescued Sabrina, her beautiful long fur was very tangled and knotted from her 2-year adventure in the great outdoors. This is where she was left declawed and defenseless to fend for herself. Needless to say, she needed some serious de-matting and TLC. So for the first few weeks with us, Sabrina was quite shaven and shorn. Nevertheless, she was the friendliest and cutest little powder-puff we had ever met.

Weeks later, with Sabrina's fur growing in nicely and her gentle personality flourishing, her chariot (i.e., her new "Furrever family) finally arrived. Sabrina now has a fabulous home.

FELICITY

This is "FELICITY" snuggling up with her Pawrent, actress Heidi Armbruster. Heidi says "Felicity is such a wonderful, sweet, generous beast. I have no idea what I did without her. I feel like she dropped out of heaven and into my life. She takes such good care of me. She loves to play. She greets me at the door when I come home. She sleeps at the end of my bed every night, and snuggles under the covers in the morning. My roommates love her too. She does not want for attention or love!" Felicity is now one lucky girl!

ANNIE

Meet this sweet little girl, "ANNIE". was rescued from the euthanasia list at the very last minute, adopted, and given a new home and a second chance at life. Here is an account of her rescue as told by her former foster, now owner:

"On Dec 2 when I received the e-mail that this black and white kitty was to be euthanized the next day, the subject line read 'Desperate.' Having lost my 18-year-old cat over Thanksgiving after watching him go blind with cataracts and thin from hyperthyroidism and finally having to let him go, I was still grieving my recent loss. My thoughts were not on another cat as my husband had our two other cats with him at our retreat home in Maine. When I saw Annie, something in me thought another life needed to be saved after taking our old boy's life. Long story short, Annie was only to be a foster and though the young woman who wanted her was sweet, she did not to me seem to understand fully the responsibility of a cat. Annie had a bad respiratory infection and had been found in Harlem with a collar but no one claimed her. They said she was 2 but she seemed younger to me and very thin.

By the second night she was sleeping with me and never a scratch or bite. She didn't eat for a week but when she did I was so relieved. It took some convincing but finally I convinced my cat-loving husband I needed this companion while I was living and working in NY. My friends who met her were convinced I should keep her. I wish I could keep more because I know so many are in need but I am glad I took in dear Annie, who still has asthma attacks from time to time and is a little small and scrappy, but I love her… and she now is in Maine with her whole family, for the summer at least."

MITCH

This is "MITCH". Mitch and his cat companion, Norman (pictured below), lived with a beloved Person for 5 years who, unfortunately, passed away prematurely. Through our efforts, we arranged for foster care and eventually adoption for both of these adorable kitties.

NORMAN

This is "NORMAN". Norman was Mitch's cat companion (pictured above) for 5 years until their beloved Person, unfortunately, passed away prematurely. Through our efforts, we arranged for foster care and eventually adoption for both of these adorable kitties.

NOEL

Noelle." "Noel." "Noie." "Big Girl." Doesn't matter "NOEL" will answer to any of those names. Her way.

Gregg, ASB's Founder and President, had gotten a call around the holidays from Laurel, a friend who had finally rescued a cat from an alley in Flushing after trying for a long time. The cat, which had seemed friendly, had not only resisted integrating with Laurel's other cats but was now terrorizing them. Thinking it a personality difference, Laurel regifted the cat to another rescuer, who encountered the same problems, and the chain of pass-alongs continued. When the cat came to Gregg, giver of Last Hopes, Noel had been in 5 homes in three weeks. We needed some pictures for a flyer to find her a real home where our contentious girl could live a happy life. Carol & I went over to Gregg's, camera in hand, prepared to keep our cautious distance.

CLICK TO READ NOEL'S COMPLETE STORY