Boulders to Hold Fundraiser for C.A.T.S.

Less than two months ago, a cat and her kittens were thrown from the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The mother and one kittens survived. The kitten, clinging onto a pipe was instantly lured into a bucket by frightened onlookers, and was taken home by construction workers no the span. The mother was not so easy to take care of though, as the noisy bridge kept her in hiding for nearly a month.

Kept alive by food put out by workers, the cat was unable to be rescued by means of bureaucracy. Finally, animal rescuers were allowed onto the bridge, and lured her into a cage. Today, Bridget is spayed, vaccinated, and living in a wonderful foster home.

Without help from Rockland’s animal rescue organization, Care About the Strays, C.A.T.S., she may not have survived.

Care About the Strays has been dedicated to helping abandoned and stray cats and kittens in Rockland for over 30 years. C.A.T.S. is run without a facility, and purely through volunteerism and donations. While some volunteers feed colonies of cats, others fundraise, foster homes for cats in need of homes, as well as trap; neuter and return feral cats back to their colonies.

The organization is small, with less than ten fully active volunteers at work, but according to spokeswoman Susan Edelstein, “we are making a dent.”

Without their efforts, Rockland would house more strays, Edelstein said.

While the organization strives to remain optimistic, they are realistic about their financial hardships. “It all comes down to the dollar,” Edelstein said. “We could do so much more if we had more money.”

C.A.T.S. is not alone in their struggle, as in recent years Rockland County has cut funding from all animal rescue groups and shelters. In their efforts, C.A.T.S.’ bills include spaying, neutering, blood work, food, vaccinations, and numerous medical costs. However, the most important thing, in Edelstein’s opinion is education. “People have the misconception that cats can take care of themselves,” she said, “they can a little, but the smallest things can kill them”. She further added, “cats have become disposable, something people get bored of”. 

For the second year in a row, in an effort to increase knowledge about the stray issue in Rockland, as well as raise money, C.A.T.S. is holding a fundraising event this Saturday, June 15th at the Rockland Boulders game.

 At a table located near the entrance, the volunteers will distribute literature, and hopefully garner a few volunteers. The organization feels very lucky to have gained this promotional event, as very few venues will hold fundraisers for such a small group with no facility. Further, the group is confident that Saturday night will be a accomplishment as “even when we make one hundred dollars outside a grocery store, it’s a success”. Susan and the other volunteers are hopeful that people at the Boulders game will prove sympathetic and ready to help on Saturday night. “If a lot of people help in a small way, they can do a lot”.
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Tickets are available on the Boulders website, or by contacting Susan Edelstein at strykery2k@aol.com.

To view adoptable cats, or make a donation, check out Care about the Stray’s website.