A few months ago, Tuttle was a big boy with a fine white coat that he’d groom until he practically sparkled in the sunlight. When he’d flop down for his afternoon naps on the pavement behind his caretaker’s Brooklyn row house, paws in the air, he looked like a plump little seal resting on a pebbly beach. No one knew where he’d come from – the weary feral was hungry and thirsty when he wandered into the yard one early spring day – but he quickly settled into his adopted colony and soon had his days arranged just the way he liked them: breakfast at 7:00 a.m. before his caretaker left for work, then a wash and a trip around the yard on the narrow fence top, to keep an eye on his subjects. Playtime with his colony mates came next, then, before dinner, the best part of the day: the long, peaceful upside-down nap in the sun.

The tired, lonely cat had finally come home and for a little while, life was good for Tuttle. But it didn’t last. Before long, he quit playing with the other cats or batting at leaves as he strolled through his yard. He didn’t wash anymore, and his once-immaculate coat became gritty and disheveled. He still showed up at mealtimes but after a cautious bite or two he’d walk away, his food nearly untouched. One by one, Tuttle had to stop doing the things he loved because inside his mouth, broken and decaying teeth and inflamed, abscessed gums were growing more painful each day. He got steadily thinner and, almost overnight, looked like a very old cat. His worried caretaker knew he needed help urgently but couldn’t afford extensive medical treatment so she turned to Neighborhood Cats.

When we went to get Tuttle, to bring him to our veterinarian, we found him doing the one part of his cherished routine still left to him. It was mid- afternoon - nap time - so he was lying on his back in his usual spot in the yard. His eyes were slitted in pain and the right side of his face was lopsided from the swelling in his jaw. But he was doing his best to carry on. On the way to the hospital, we promised our brave, sweet boy we’d make him well and bring him back to his beloved home soon.

At the clinic, Tuttle was diagnosed with advanced dental disease. His suffering was extreme so we had to move quickly. Today he’ll undergo the surgery that will finally give him relief and stop the deadly, systemic spread of infection. Surgery, laboratory tests, medicines and follow up care as he recovers will all be costly, but we knew we could count on you, our compassionate friends, to help.

Will you make a donation now for Tuttle’s life-giving care? With your support, he’ll once again be sleepy-eyed and purring in his place in the sun. Please give, to save Tuttle today.


Tuttle is just one of many special cats being helped by Neighborhood Cats. Any funds received in excess of Tuttle’s medical expenses will go towards saving other cats in need.