Care of lost, abandoned, feral cats goal of new North Shore Animal League center

Volunteers caring for “community cats” — lost, abandoned or feral animals — will be aided by a just-opened center at the North Shore Animal League America, which includes plans to expand what is now a small food bank and offer training seminars. 

Sylvia Ottaka, senior director for rescue and community outreach at North Shore Animal League America, says the new program aims to help individuals who care for cat colonies, teach the public how to spot a cat that might be adoptable, and rent traps and other needed equipment at low costs.

"That is what is so wonderful about these caregivers; these people are dedicated to the cats in their area, up every morning,” said Ottaka, “despite rain, snow, sleet or illness.”

No complete count exists of how many community cats live in the tristate, though New York City alone has an estimated half a million.

The North Shore's new effort builds on its past three years of trying to improve the lives of community cats, partly through education, Ottaka explained.

“Our goal is to bring awareness to community cats … which may be outside at any given location.”

Learning how to tell whether a cat is feral hopefully will lead to increased adoptions, she said.

"Feral cats are going to stay completely away from you, watch you from afar … and only come at night."

A stray cat, possibly abandoned, may seem "a little more interested," she said. "These are cats that usually can be socialized, and eventually become a house cat again."

And a lost cat, she said, is one "that comes up to you, frantic," possibly meowing and rubbing. "That's usually a cat that may have gotten out of home or is lost or looking for help." 

Meanwhile, Gov Kathy Hochul has approved nearly $5 million in grants for animal rescues, including four on Long Island.
The Companion Animal Capital funds may be especially welcome, rescuers say, because donations appear to be down, possibly due to inflation, and surrenders have risen in some instances as workers return to the office.
"New York's Companion Animal Capital Fund makes a true difference for shelters and humane societies across the state, helping them to make critical upgrades that ultimately mean better care for our dogs and cats as they await their forever homes," Hochul said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons got $200,000 for a new pressure washing system, plumbing and HVAC improvements.
Bidawee Inc., which serves Wantagh, Westhampton and Manhattan, got the same amount, and it is buying a new HVAC system.
The Town of Brookhaven will spend its $146,500 renovating the shelter, adding kennels, an area for preparing food and a meet-and-greet spot.
And the Town of Hempstead was awarded $52,000 to upgrade its shelter, including improving drainage and lighting.