Urgent Cat Rescue in NY Metro Area

First of all, let me tell you who I am. My name is John Sibley and I was once an animal rescuer and writer in the New York Metro area, when I lived in the Bronx. I have since moved out of the area and have been "retired" from rescue for around six years, until now. 

A rescuer that I know and helped to train is in very deep

trouble. She is having some very serious health issues and have been unexpectedly hospitalized, and she is expected to be gone for at least several weeks. Her mother, whom she lives with, just got out of the hospital herself after a catastrophic health issue. Her mother can no longer walk and her road to recovery is unclear. 

My rescuer friend at one time managed a house full of cats with the help of their parents, but there has been a perfect storm of health issues and the animals are now in danger. The residents of the home are no longer able to care for them, the rescuer is still in the hospital, and her father needs to spend a great deal of time devoted to full-time care of his wife. We believe there are 34 cats in the house.

We have been in the house this past weekend to assess, catalog and clean. We now have veterinary files and background history on almost all of the animals. Almost all will need a visit to a vet for at least assessment and maybe to catch up on shots. A few need dentals and things of that nature. The largest current issue is that ringworm is endemic to the house - we have found approximately five cats with active lesions and all cats in the house have been exposed. I am afraid for the health of the rescuer's mother as she is now bed-bound and has just returned from a month long hospital stay. We need to get all of the cats out as quickly as possible and get them to treatment so that the house may be deep-cleaned for the health and safety of the senior human residents. The family is fully cooperative and on board. 

We have removed 8 cats from the home so far to fosters, we have approximately 9 cats leaving this week to a partner rescue, and we have approximately 17 cats yet to place.

 

We need help, badly. I have been out of rescue long enough that my rolodex is out of date and my resources are not what they once were. We desperately need the help of rescues or rescuers experienced with care of both active-ringworm and just ringworm-exposed cats. 

I also have a special appeal: ringworm Patient Zero is a cerebellar hypoplasia cat. He is an advanced case who cannot really walk at all, but he does drag himself and he does use a litter box. He is also a very happy, very loving boy who loves all people and laps. He has an active case of ringworm that will need treatment and I need him out as quickly as is possible, hopefully to a CH experienced home.

This rescuer and her family have devoted years of their lives to helping people and helping cats in any and every way you can possibly imagine. I have been in awe of her abilites on many occasions. They need us now. Please help if you can. The animals are in the NYC Metro area. I would like to remove all of the remaining cats this coming weekend, 9/20-9/21, for the health and safety of the senior residents. If you or your rescue can help by taking some cats, please email me at john@johnsibley.com. Time is short. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.