Epidemic Cat Abandonment & Abuse

I hate to give this fundraiser that title.

We are in an animal welfare epidemic in NYC. Us rescuers who have been cleaning up other peoples cruelty and irresponsibility, have never seen it worse than now. Our city shelter, the only safe haven for an unwanted pet, has closed it doors to those giving up their pets. So what’s an ‘owner’ to do when the city-funded shelter turns you away?

You open your cat carrier, or cardboard box, and let the cat out. No shelter. No food. No water. Terrified. Lost. Anxious. Animals are going through this horrible, horrible process of abandonment every, single day. Many people don’t even waste their time going to the shelter. They toss their pet out and walk away. It’s spiritually unfathomable.

For 17 months, I have been managing a colony of endless abandoned cats, kittens, unfixed animals replicating into this cycle of madness. We have collectively rescued over 94. Almost all were adopted: 2 were fixed and returned.

I have barely rescued this summer due to no funds, and no fosters. But Juan, our feeder who watches over the remaining 30 cats, called me crying this past weekend. He feels I abandoned him, and our cats. He doesn’t understand how much time and effort goes into managing a cat once rescued, and we have been deep in so many endless issues.

Juan said drug addicts have killed 10 of his cats. That’s why he was crying. He is their family, and they are his. This is unbearable news. I know these cats. I know their stories. I know their eyes. And I can’t sit by and watch any more be killed. So horrifically and unfairly.

The main ASPCA spay neuter clinic has closed, so we rescue groups are left with no affordable options to fix our rescues on any manageable level. So I decided to throw a large fundraiser because I can’t sit by anymore and let my colony cats be killed for NO REASON - when we together, can help them. We can, and we will.

For those celebrating Alice & Pete’s nuptials, please know they are a VERY valuable and loved part of our rescue! Adopting our oldest rescue kitty ever (we love and miss our Gus), to Skye, who lived 5 years homeless on a wall until they adopted and gave her the best life until cancer took her, and now giving Daisy a life she never dreamed of after being born / raised in a horrifying windowless basement. We thank you for continuing your support for more innocent felines like Gus, Skye & Daisy.

We also thank Heidi’s friends and family who are contributing to her birthday wish! Supporting animal rescue. Our volunteers and friends keep us going through the dark times.

Visit @SavingBelladonna on Instagram and FB for updates.

This fundraiser will help us pay off our main vet bill ($1500), fix current rescues already in our care ($2,900), and 30 cats left at our colony x an average vet cost of $220 per cat. It’s absurd that small volunteer groups have to do this when we’re just trying to save some animals. But it’s our truth, and reality.

Our cover model, I just got this “rescue request” today. Another friendly cat who’s roaming the dangerous streets after his abandonment. He’s out there tonight and we have been asked to help rescue him. Once we have the funds to afford to save him, all I need is a foster and his life changes. Forever.

And so will the rest of our 30 homeless cats in danger.

With love,

Blind Belladonna & Her Friends ❤️