Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!


A big and hearty thank you to everyone who came out and wrapped gifts at Borders for us.
We were told that we were one of the most used and most popular groups and we are welcome back next year!

This was a great opportunity for us to fund-raise and 100% of the donations received will go towards medical care, food, and the rescue of future animals. We can't thank you enough for your help, hard-work, dedication and love. The animals can't thank you enough either!


Tracey and KC wrap packages to help save animals

We look forward to a wonderful new year and we hope that you'll continue working with us to save the beasts of NYC.

Thank you!
Opt to Adopt!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Short-Term Foster


Happy Howlidays and a very Meowey Christmas!

Today Tracey is picking up two russian blues from Manhattan ACC. They have foster-to-adopt homes starting Wednesday or Thursday, but they need a place to stay in the mean time. This would be more like pet-sitting than fostering, so maybe it's perfect for you?  

Milton is a neutered three-year-old male who is shy but gets along with other cats. Inez is a spayed three-year-old female who is very social. They're being picked up at 4 p.m. and if you could take them in for just a few days, you'd be doing a great service!

Email info@atailatatime.org

Opt to Adopt!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Mother and Child(ren)


This mother (three-years-old, mild-mannered, negative for FeLV) and her four babes were pulled from the Animal Care & Control euth list this past Saturday, December 19. They were to be euthanized immediately because they have ring worm. Unfortunately, animals that require extra medical care are often euthanized, not because it isn't worth it to care for them, but because there are no extra funds to do so. This is also the reason kittens and puppies are the first to go - it's more expensive to care for them than it is to care for adult animals.

These cats are safe now, but they need a foster or forever home as soon as possible. Rescued along with them was a four-week-old black kitten who also has ring worm and also needs a foster or forever family.

If you can open your home and your heart for this family, email info@atailatatime.org. We take care of all the medical expenses, you provide meals and love.

Thank you! And always opt to adopt!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Cecelia, Super Model

My name is Tricia and I'm one of A Tail's animal-loving volunteers. This past weekend I had the absolute pleasure of accompanying Cecelia to her very first professional photo shoot:

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Kafka


Evan Kafka, a wonderful photographer here in the Big Apple, donated his time to several rescue groups,  taking professional photos of animals looking for homes. Cecelia, an eight-month-old kitten, was one of them. The afternoon was a blast. Cecelia was calm, curious, playful and really enjoyed having all eyes on her! We're all really excited to see the final photos and so grateful to Evan and the Mayor's Alliance, who helped set up the shoot, for such a great opportunity.

Is that a fuzzy ball I see? I shall chase it!

If you're interested in adopting Cecelia, or would like more information on other adoptable animals, visit our website at atailatatime.org.

Opt to Adopt!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Our Jezzy is a featured pet!


Over at Senior Pets, our little Jezebel (who we call Jezzy) has been featured on page 4 of the most recent news letter. Click here to check it out!

Joan Antleman is the publisher and she does a great job advertising senior pets. For those of you who don't know, some people consider pets age seven and over 'seniors', and in our culture of youth obsession, senior pets can be hard to place. Senior Pets is doing a great job of creating awareness and finding love for the older animals looking for homes.

Fore more info:
www.atailatatime.org
Opt to Adopt!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Lucky Luca





Congratulations to Luca, a twelve-week-old orange tabby who just found his forever home with a wonderful family in New Jersey. God speed, dear heart.


Monday, December 14, 2009

Looking for a little love in your life?


We've talked about fostering on this blog before, and it will likely be a topic that will come up regularly. The reason? Fostering is one of the most important ways you can help save NYC's homeless animals. We can't rescue if we don't have a place for the animals to live, so that's where fostering comes in.

Like foster care for children in need, foster care for cats and dogs works the same way. We provide all medical care, you feed the little buggers and give them lots of love. Fostering is great for people who want a pet but aren't sure they're ready for a long-term commitment or it can be a great way to find which animal is right for you. Many people foster until they meet their soul-pet.

Right now we have several cats and kittens looking for safe, loving foster homes. One of our fosters has about 15 cats in her apartment, but that's not fair to her or the cats, so it's time to move some out. If you or someone you know would be able to take two or three kittens, it would be wonderful!

Bishop, a gorgeous two-year-old russian blue is coming in from Connecticut. He has a possible forever home, but he needs a foster home until his adoption is final. It might be a very quick foster or it could be a foster situation with an unknown end date. Bishop is neutered, fiv felv neg and gets along with other cats.

We're also in need of a foster home for a five-month-old black and white tuxedo who was found in a basement. The woman who found him was given one day to place him before he is taken to Animal Care & Control. She has not been able to find him a home.

Can you help? Email info@atailatatime.org for more information.

Save a life! Foster a homeless animal and always opt to adopt.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Tuxedos for Christmas

A note from Tracey:

Of course we wouldn't be talking about a real tuxedo suit. We are talking about 5 tuxedo cats on the euth list tonight. All for space, no space apparently, and all from the Bronx where the Dept of Health says our city does not need a shelter. AND they are all under age 5.

Lots of other colours too. If you think you can take one for foster, they are SUPER CUTE!

www.atailatatime.org

Opt to Adopt!

For more info email info@atailatatime.org


Just some of many


Just one kiss before you go?



Don't I deserve a safe home?


All I want is a warm lap to curl up in...



I'll be your best friend!



I've only got eyes for you...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Blankets and beds- PROJECT FLUFFY PUMPKIN

Thanksgiving is in 2 days and today we will be delivering our donated blankets, towels and handmade beds to the Brooklyn Animal Care and Control. Thank you to all of you who have donated. While our loved 4 legged furries will be warm in our homes there is noone loving these abandoned pets. But with your donation they will be warm and cozy thru out the holiday.

Thank you thank you thank you!
They will be so happy and we will be posting pictures of our trip!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Poor Oreo- Was she really unredeemable?

I was made aware today of Oreo who was going to be euthanised at the ASPCA today.  You may remember back in October in the news, her owner threw her off a roof in Brooklyn- 6 stories.
The ASPCA took her and brought her back to health. 2 broken legs later she is euthanised. I believe she could of been saved and retrained to be a great pet. Michael Vick's dogs were this age and they were retrained. When I received the call saying it was confirmed she was put to death my stomach turned and I had to hold the tears back. People will always be cruel, who knows why, her owner was 19, Fabian Henderson. Because of his abuse to her, this beautiful loving dog, she became aggressive in order to defend herself. Neighbors reported they heard howls from her that would last 20 to 30 minutes. Why did they not intervene sooner! Why do people do this to helpless animals? And then when the animal finally gets into safe hands that human euthanises her!? I believe she could of been redeemed.
 We need to protect and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Because of Mr. Henderson's abuse she died! He is up for sentencing in December, he should suffer what she has suffered. A dog only wants to give their love and loyalty to us. My insides scream because of the anger I have towards these people. Many in the NYC community are quite upset. Many of us are rescuers and know the complications and realities which is why it is even more upsetting to know that she could have been redeemed.

What else can we do.

The below is from the NY Times.

Oreo Is Dead

OreoASPCA Two of Oreo’s legs were broken when she was tossed from a building roof.
Oreo, a dog that was nursed back to health after surviving being thrown off the roof of a six-story building, was killed Friday by lethal injection.
A 2-year-old pit bull, Oreo was euthanized in the New York City headquarters of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, after the organization rebuffed last-minute pleas to spare her life. The organization called the dog a danger to the public.

On Friday morning, Oreo received a last meal of “premium quality” kibble and canned dog food. She was then given a sedative, though she appeared “content, alert and panting,” according to an organization spokesman. Oreo was injected in the leg with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital and was pronounced dead at 3 p.m.
The organization has euthanized 107 dogs so far this year, through October.
Oreo’s case came to public attention in June when her owner, Fabian Henderson, threw her off the roof of his apartment building at the Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn. Mr. Henderson was convicted of animal cruelty and was scheduled to be sentenced in December.
Oreo broke two legs in the fall. News reports of the incident, accompanied by photos of the brown and white dog with her front legs in casts, triggered a flood of adoption offers and financial donations to help pay for the medical care.
However, as Oreo recuperated from her injuries under the care of the A.S.P.C.A., she was increasingly viewed as a danger — difficult to control and “unpredictably aggressive,” according to an organization spokesman.
News of Oreo’s death provoked angry reactions among supporters who had been frantically lobbying the A.S.P.C.A. to delay the euthanization and allow time to negotiate a deal to transfer Oreo to an animal sanctuary in the Hudson Valley.
In one appeal, Camille Hankins, the director of Win Animal Rights, sent an e-mail message to the A.S.P.C.A. begging for clemency and accusing the organization of completing “what the animal abuser who threw her off that Brooklyn roof top set out to do.” Protesters also gathered briefly at the headquarters Friday morning.
The A.S.P.C.A. was unmoved, citing the evaluation of staff members and an outside veterinary behaviorist who said that Oreo could not be rehabilitated. “Animal cruelty isn’t pretty and doesn’t always have a happy ending,” said the society’s president and chief executive, Ed Sayres, “It is ugly and sad and, ultimately, tragic.”
Seven staff members were present during the euthanasia procedure. But the dog’s former owner, Mr. Henderson, was not on hand to witness his pet’s final moments.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

FOSTERS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED

Fostering is a great way to save an animal's life and also test out an animal to see if you want to adopt.
All of our animals our rescues and all of them were someone’s pet at one time. They deserve a safe, loving home.  Many of them are found outside and given to the local shelter.  Of course this person thinks they are being a good Samaritan. Maybe they are, maybe not. There is an 80% chance this animal will end up on the euthanasia list. There is not enough space or he might catch a cold while at the shelter. Once a cat or dog is sick they won't be adoptable, this is a cold, the sniffles. He or she then goes on the euthanasia list. It is so heartbreaking to see this everyday. 10 to sometimes 50 animals dying every morning.  How can you help? Fostering is the best way.  Our fostering program is free.

WHAT DO YOU DO?  give love, food, and a safe home.

WHAT WE DO: responsible for any medical expenses.
*hold adoption events two to 3 times a month
* post the foster on a variety of online sites.
If you are interested please contact us:
info@atailatatime.org or 917-216-1748

If you can't foster there are other things you can do.
Choose to adopt an animal not buy. Every animal that is purchased is one more killed at a shelter.
Promote animal adoptions.
Volunteer - spending time with an animal makes him or her so much happier. He or she is in a cage all day long. Those 30 minutes or more of playing or petting makes them happpier. People adopt happier animals.
Everybody is attracted to the cat or dog sticking their paw out of the cage, that pet is happy. Unfortunately noone wants the cat curled up scared in the back of the cage.

And most of all promote spay/neuter. Less animals born, less animals will be killed for space.

Monday, October 12, 2009

PROJECT FLUFFY PUMPKIN - fabric, beds and towels needed!

Yesterday I went to the Brooklyn Animal Shelter for the first time. We were picking up 5 kittens. Although it is somewhat a sad place, they have painted the walls happy colours and even painted murals in the outside lobby areas. So many dogs and cats......Please think of adopting. All of these guys were someone's pet. Now because their humans got divorced, developed allergies, decided there was no time for the pet or simply don't want it anymore, these furries are waiting hopefully to get a new home before they have to be euthanized because there is not enough space for them.

There is such a shortage on beds, some of the animals didn't even have a towel. A Tail at a Time has decided to make beds and toys for the furries to try and make their stay as comfortable as possible: THE FLUFFY PUMPKIN PROJECT. If you can sew and would like to participate please send us an email, if you can't sew but have time we need people to cut fabrics. For all the non-craftsters with no time, send us money to buy the fabrics!

We are also accepting towels and old blankets to give to the shelter. Fido and Fluffy don't care if there is a hole or if it is mis-coloured.

You can send your donations to:
505 W 54th St
apt 413
NY, NY 10019

OR
drop them off at our next event at the Javits Center on Oct 17th from 10 to 4.

OR
drop off location is available in Brooklyn, please email for information.

info@atailatatime.org

Our goal for delivery is the week of Thanksgiving.

THANK YOU!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

How about some Sunshine?

Bring some sunshine into your life. We here in NYC had such a short summer, truly we were jipped. With this cold weather upon us (47 degrees tonight) and a special kitty I met finally on Sunday, I want to tell you about Sunshine.
Sunshine is the mom of the M litter. You may have seen them, they are all adopted now. They were Mike, Megan, Marv, Matilda, Miko, and Maisie. Sunshine was found on the street in Bed-Stuy. She was found very pregnant. She is only a baby herself. This poor girl, we are sure someone threw her out when they realised she had some buns in the oven. She was not in bad shape, wasn't outside for too long. She still managed to be such a nice cat. She had her babies, 6, a week after Kathleen took her in.That was a few months ago.Now Sunshine is ready to go into her own home. As I said she is a wonderfully nice cat. She of course likes to play being 11 months old. But she is also affectionate and easy going.
If you would like to foster or adopt Sunshine, send us an email. She really deserves it!
info@atailatatime.org

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Dogs over 25 pounds banned from NYC Public Housing

Pit bulls get such a bad rap. They are not bad evil animals. There are some but it is their owners who made them this way. Why did pit bulls have to become a symbol for being
"bad"? As in cool? I see them in my neighborhood, some of them not fixed, ugh. Their owners having the look of "don't mess with me". This is what other people see. But there are the few that have pitbulls who are mushy huggers and big babies.

NYC Housing Authority has passed a law that dogs over 25 lbs cannot live in public housing. Owners who did have dogs over this weight already had to register them by May 1st. However, some of those dogs were not allowed registration bc they were over the weight limit of 25 lbs. What happened on May 1st when this went into effect? 113 dogs surrendered to the city shelters. 49 of them euthanised because they became sick, due to the shelter or there was not enough space for them. HOW UNFAIR! There are many adorable, loveable pit bulls out there.
NY Times has a piece today about it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/nyregion/23dogs.html?_r=1

WHAT CAN YOU DO? educate people that pit bulls are not bad dogs, their owners are. Encourage spay/neuter.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Kitty Chronicles




Happy Adoption Tails
MORRIS AND GARFIELD ADOPTED EARLY SEPTEMBER 09-
Below is an email we received from Cliff and Janine their new guardians.

"So glad we didn't separate them. They are inseparable! I swear they even breathe in and out in synch! They do absolutely everything in perfect synchronization, and follow each other everywhere. They are such incredible buddies! We are soooo glad they will be able to spend their lives together! Swiffer is definitely the most courageous and bold; tucker tends to follow her lead. They wake at the same moment, eat cheek to cheek, play with the same toy at the same time, chase each other back and forth, seek our affection at the same moment, and then crash into a deep sleep at the same moment. Like one!
Thank you so much for Swiffer, and thank you so much for all you do for these precious creatures in need. We are so excited about re-uniting Garfield and Morris (Swiffer and Tucker), and are very grateful to be able to share our lives with them.


Enjoy the pics!
Cliff and Janine

Monday, September 7, 2009

Garfield Adopted! oh and she's a girl.

Well we learned last week that Garfield is a girl....a name mistake, that happens often at the shelters. However, the party interested in adopting her did not care. We delivered Garfield/Greta and they fell in love. We received an email: Wonderful! She is such a sweetie. I slept on a pull out in the great room so she wouldn't spend her first night alone and she slept suction cupped to me all night long, purring and sleeping. Of course this morning she woke up with incredible energy, and I think by now she has pounced on every nook and cranny in the great room. We are looking forward to re-uniting her with Morris!
As you see they are now interested in adopting her brother, the orange tabby, Morris!
YAY! And the people are wonderful cat people! I'm so happy!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

4 kittens for adoption






Sarah, Garfield, Tilly and Morris are eight week old kittens (as of 8/22/09) from the same litter, who were recently saved from the Euthanasia list. They are now enjoying life in their temporary foster home but they are all on the hunt for a more permanent arrangement with someone who can give any or all of them the nurturing and companionship they deserve.

Sarah, the black and white kitten, is very curious and loves to be around people and play with other cats. She loves to sleep in the bed next to people but will take a nap in your lap any time of day. The cutest marking on her is the little black spot on and under her chin (it's like a goatee!).
Garfield, the orange kitten, is rambunctious and playful. Morris, aka Boots, the orange kitten with the very pink nose and white paws, is a little bit shy but LOVES to be held. And finally, Tilly, a male white/ tiger mix kitten, who is also shy but is eager to play and is very sweet.

Animals dying Aug 24

I read these lists of animals that will have to die every day because there is not enough space. It is very difficult and lately has been making my stomach uneasy. People say don't read them. I usually try not to. Because of other people's irresponsibility these innocent cats will die, soon to be moms, new litters at 7 weeks old, and the reason is space. I wish everybody will realise how important it is to spay/neuter. Now some cute furries will be put to sleep tomorrow morning.

Our first cats- Aug 22

We saw a pretty girl named Stan at the city shelter (yes it seems some city shelter employees do not know genders). Well we saved her from the euthanasia that was going to happen the next morning. She was on the list because there was no space for her. Stan, now named Nora, is a very pretty striped kitty with a white face. Coral has calico spots that are those dark blacks and chestnut browns. Her face is very feminine and she loves to cuddle and play.
So we went to pick her up also needing to get a young kitten. After 2 hours looking around we left with 1 litter of 4 that were left in a box, a 3 mos old Coral, and Nora.
Nora and Coral will be going into our shelter site at Happy Feet Pet Store 754 10th ave at 51st in Manhattan. Hopefully their new room will be ready tomorrow!
It was difficult to choose, while we were there 2 more litters came in and a 5 week old baby by himself. He was a black kitten. I learned at the shelter that even some rescuers will not rescue black kittens. In some cultures black cats are lucky. Why must a cat die because he has black fur

Aug 1 2009 starting out

I have worked in a cat rescue and wanted to work with cats and dogs. After a few years I became unsatisfied with the way that rescue group was operating I decided I wanted to start my own. A friend and I both had the same grievances, so we started A Tail at a Time, Pet Adoption and Rescue. We will rescue animals from the streets of NYC. Yes in New York City people throw their animals out. These may be the fortunate ones, for those animals who's owners think they are doing them a favour end up at the city kill shelter. People damn the shelter, but they have no space for all the animals that are turned in every week so unfortunately at 6 a.m. daily euthanasia begins. By contract with the city they must accept all animals. We will also work at rescuing these guys!
This blog will be about starting and having a non profit rescue group in one of the world's largest cities, beginning with 2 women.