Several weeks ago we published an article about Susanna Fitzgerald and her generous donation of handmade cage comforters to the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.
No sooner had Susanna’s shipment arrived that Dr. Susan Whittred of The Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, a private cat rescue organization on Long Island, contacted the Alliance. She had just taken in seven adult cats who had been left homeless after their owner, sadly, succumbed to COVID-19. Fortunately, the owner had designated in her will her wishes for her cats’ care and designated funds from her estate to provide for them in the event of her death.*
We immediately shipped a supply of Susanna’s lovely handmade cage comforters to Dr. Whittred to provide the newly orphaned cats with a softer landing at the Patricia Ladew facility.
Despite the tragic loss of their former home, the new arrivals (Ladewbies, as Dr. Whittred affectionately refers to them) are acclimating well to their surroundings, under the expert care of Dr. Whittred and her welcoming staff. All of the cats are receiving medical checkups and assessments to ensure they receive any special medical care they might need, including tests, dentals, and medications. In keeping with the former owner’s wishes, any of the cats suitable for adoption will be placed into a loving home.
We are extremely grateful to Susanna for her generous and timely donation of cage comforters. And we applaud The Patricia H. Ladew Foundation for ensuring a new beginning for these beautiful cats.
* New York State law allows pet owners to create a pet trust, where money can be held to provide care for pets after their owner can no longer provide such care, such as in cases of death or incapacity. Similar laws exist in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.To find out how to provide for your pets in the event of your death or hospitalization, check out Providing For Your Pets In The Event of Your Death or Hospitalization, prepared by the The Association of the Bar of the City of New York.
For valuable information about caring for pets of people with COVID-19, refer to Guidance for caretakers for pets of COVID-19 positive patients by Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell University.