On Sunday, March 1st, something unexpected happened in our quiet residential corner of Central Queens. Vasilisa—named after the fairy-tale heroine for her grace and kindness—chose our building’s garage as the place to give birth to five tiny kittens.

Vasilisa first appeared about a month ago during the bitter February cold, joining a small group of street cats that T., a dedicated resident, has fed every evening for years. Despite surviving outdoors, Vasilisa is exceptionally loving and gentle.

When T. found them that evening on March 1st, she moved the new family out of the cold garage and into a basement cleaning room that our building staff kindly allowed us to turn into a temporary “maternity ward.” Vasilisa and her kittens are currently warm, safe, and resting on hand-knit blankets. But this small sanctuary is only temporary.

We are raising funds to provide this family with the medical care they need so they can move into a foster home and, eventually, into forever homes. Because Vasilisa is so friendly, she is a perfect candidate for adoption—but first, we must ensure she is healthy.

How Your Donation Helps Vasilisa & Her Family

Our $1,500 Goal Covers the Full Rescue Journey

To ensure Vasilisa and her “Fab Five” transition from a garage floor to safe, loving homes, we have set a goal that covers their entire two-month rescue journey.

Estimated breakdown

$555 – Vasilisa’s urgent medical panel (after the vet’s 25% rescue discount)

$300 – Two months of high-calorie food for a nursing mother and growing kittens

$500–$600 – Exams, vaccines, and deworming for all five kittens at 8 weeks

$100 – Pads, litter, and sanitation supplies

This journey includes two important phases of care.

Phase 1: Urgent Care for Vasilisa (Now)

Comprehensive Medical Panel: Vasilisa needs an intensive blood profile and a “Triple Test” (FIV, FeLV/Leukemia, and Heartworm) to ensure she is healthy and safe to eventually enter a home with other pets.

Rescue Discount: We are working with a local veterinary clinic that has generously offered a 25% rescue discount on Vasilisa’s initial $739 medical estimate.

The “Maternity Ward” Nutrition: Nursing five kittens is physically demanding. Vasilisa requires high-calorie, premium recovery food (approximately four to six 3-oz cans per day) to maintain her strength while caring for her litter.

Phase 2: The Kittens’ Medical Start (At 8 Weeks)

Once the kittens reach the appropriate age for their first vet visit, we will share the official veterinary estimate and invoices here as updates.

Kitten Health Exams: Each kitten will receive a physical examination to ensure healthy development.

First Vaccinations (FVRCP): Essential vaccines that protect kittens from common and potentially serious illnesses.

Deworming & Parasite Screening: Standard preventative care for rescue kittens to ensure they are healthy and safe for their future families.

Supplies & Logistics (The Next 60 Days)

Food: As the five kittens begin to wean, their appetite will increase steadily. We estimate we will need over 300 cans of kitten-safe wet food over the next two months.

Litter & Hygiene: A steady supply of pee pads, kitten-safe litter, and fresh bedding keeps the family clean and comfortable.

Safe Transport: Fuel and transportation expenses for multiple visits to the veterinary clinic.

Our Transparency Promise

We believe in full accountability. We will post photos of every medical estimate, invoice, supply receipt, and veterinary summary as updates on this page so you can see exactly where your donation is going.

No donation is too small. If you can’t give financially, please consider sharing this link with the cat lovers in your life. Even $10 helps feed a nursing mother for a day, and $25 helps cover a kitten’s first vaccination.

Vasilisa stayed out in the cold, pregnant and abandoned—carrying five kittens. Now we want to make sure she never has to go back to the garage again.

With thanks and purrs from Central Queens,

Lina & T.

Note: For the safety of the cats and the building staff, we are keeping our specific location private. We are also not accepting adoption inquiries through this drive, as we are prioritizing their medical care and will work through trusted, vetted channels when they are ready.