So, it’s Halloween, I have no candy and I’m painting shutters at street level watching the kids go by, hoping they don’t stop at our house. Every now and then, I duck to avoid eye contact.

And then he walks by. Stalls in front of my house, meowing.

I wouldn’t open my door for a kid, but a cat? Sure.

We have a bad feral cat problem in Bed Stuy. I keep saying we should do the Trap, Neuter, Release program, but problem is, we’re not around enough to collect the caged cats. I’ve stopped to say hello to neighborhood strays before and they usually take off when I do. I didn’t expect this one to come when I called.

But he did. He walked right through the opened window. I heard my husband in the background saying “No, no, no!” but ignored him like he usually ignores me during our “conversations”.

Then it was “Don’t name him.” “Don’t get attached.”

By the end of the day, my husband had named him Hal, short for Halloween.

But since we don’t want #7 and we already have 2 orange tabbies, Hal is up for adoption.

He’s probably about 5-6 months old. Very sweet! Definitely abandoned, not a street cat. By the end of this week, he should be tested and fixed.

Come on, you know you want him!

If not you, please pass this along.

Or my husband will kill me.

Maybee

Harpo

Kristi of Here Be Old Things is one of those animal rescue suckers. She lives in Harlem where the cat situation is out of control. Unlike myself, she actually finds people to foster and adopt the animals she finds instead of just keeping them. But alas, Kristi is up to 4 cats and doesn’t want any more.

On the Tortoise Shell:

“I have a cat in a foster home, but her foster mom feels she can’t do much more with her and wants to move her along. Mia was a deli cat and is very shy. She’s also a nice tortie and I’ve had 3 people go look at her, but she hides. I need to put her in a foster with other cats (so she can see them interact with a human) with someone who will work with her. Or, of course, find her a new home with someone patient.

I was secretly hoping her foster mom would just keep her, but it’s not to be. I can’t take her in because I have cats who in all out war. Do you know anyone up there who might want or take a cat like that? “

Grey Tabby:

“I just picked up two more this week, extremely friendly males that people must have just dumped when they had to move or something.”

Who’s in? Just click on the Here Be link to get in touch with Kristi.

Our “pet den” futon is being chewed up by Greta the Cute But Evil Dog. Her partner in crime, Lola What Did I Do?, likes to rip the covers to shreds. We stopped using nice futon covers years ago when we had Frida the Wonderful But Incontinent Pit. We just threw fitted bed sheets over the mattress.

But alas, the material could never hold up against our dogs and we found ourselves going through 2 sheets per week. Well, not really. We just left the shredded sheets on the futon so you could see the filthy, filthy mattress underneath.

“Someone must make pet proof bed sheets.” Said I. “We can’t be the only ones with this problem.”

Well, yes, it exists. I did find canvas mattress slipcovers online, ranging from $34-85. But I felt like I needed to design the cover myself with my pets in mind. Since I can’t even sew a button, I put a request on Etsy Alchemy to find someone to work with me. The first couple of quotes were more than the futon itself. I was starting to get discouraged until Christine of Pillow Throw Decor saved the day.

I informed Christine that my pets are lunatics and I’ll need extremely heavy duty material. She happened to have some recycled painters drop cloth on hand for the cover, which cost $80. She was also able to put together a canvas fitted top sheet for $20. The plaid wouldn’t have been my first choice, but a) It was the cheapest, b) I needed to go with the sturdiest material and c) It looks better than ripped sheets.

She gave me loops on the back as per my request, because the dogs always manage to pull the sheets off. This way I can secure it to the mattress with elastic or rope. Oh, and she even included a repair kit! Now that’s what I’m talking about!

So, what about the cats? Well, they just pee on everything. The new covers are pre-shrunk and washable.

**Photographer’s note: Please ignore the broken window blind, the dirt on the floor and the fact that I don’t have the patience to get a fitted bed sheet to fit.

Those burly tattooed angels over at Rescue Ink are up to some good again. They’ve acquired an ambulance from an anonymous donor and want to pimp it out (or just make it run) so they can use it as an emergency pet mobile. This will be a hospital on wheels, not merely an ambulance.

The PETT-mobile will also be used to provide veterinary service to the pets of the elderly and home bound, as well as being on call for their Trap Neuter Release program.

This of course, takes money. Warning: The donation page has some disturbing photos. I hope these dogs had happy new beginnings.

And speaking of happy new beginnings, check out their adoption page once you’ve finished digging in your pockets.

Dog Feeder by Merlin’s Bark: $55

Retro Cat bed by Likekittysville: $59

Upcycled cat bed by Umlauf: $52

Holiday dog bed by Jakey BB: $159

Cathedral of Notre Dog by Home Dog: $1600

 **Archive. Originally posted October 23, 2007.

The day the girls made pancakes for breakfast

With all the Iggy hoopla, I was inspired to do another pet post. This is all very obvious stuff, but sinceI do know people whom have lost pets due to….stupidity, I feel the need to spell it out.

I should practice what I preach. My dog got into a pill container just this morning (husband’s fault). Luckily, it was acidophilus, so she’ll be feeling like one healthy mutt today. We put child safety locks on our cabinets, but I think the way that works is that you actually have to remember to lock them.Continue reading Home Safety Tips for Your Pets

The NY Times did an article on the local Rescue Ink yesterday. These are the guys who look completely bad ass, but go around rescuing cute little kittens and puppies. Neglectful pet owners probably pay more attention when a 6’2 tattooed bald dude is threatening to take their pet away. A 4’11” chick…not so much. Although I come off as 5′ when I try to act tough.

Read the article and please check out their website! There you’ll find information on volunteering, adoption, events and even an online store where you can purchase their adorable logo on t-shirts and totes.

But this is a public service announcement:

DO NOT leave your dog tied up outside a store or restaurant. DO NOT leave your dog in your car. Pedigreed animals are stolen all the time for resale. Non pedigrees are stolen for dog fights, resale to animal experiment labs and reward monies. Dognappings are on the rise.

The weather is cooling off, but NEVER EVER leave your dog in the car on a hot day without the windows being open. About a month ago, we had to call the owners of a Chihuahua out to their car because the dog was distressed. We parked at a Target in Newburgh and the dog was in the car with a jacket (!?), windows closed. We went in and came back about a half hour later. Dog was still there. We paged the owners and they were actually pissed off at us for interrupting their shopping experience! “We were only in there for 5 minutes.” sez she. That’s funny, because your dog and your car were here 30 minutes ago! Anyway, my friend’s dog died that way (someone else was watching him at the time) so I know it’s a serious no-no!

Pit bull fighting is still alive and well. If you see any suspicious activity, please report it. If you look like the guys above or have the chutzpah, confront these dog fighting bastards yourself. *Disclaimer: Don’t hold me responsible for what happens next.

Rescue Ink slideshow