Cat abuse/neglect by Kensington Kitties
Kensington Kitties has an adoption center set up on 7th Ave and Garfield in Park Slope today in the blazing heat. All the cats and kittens are panting and showing signs of heat stroke. The cats are either nearly comotose or in a state of panic and none of the people manning this thing seem to have any clue what danger they are putting these cats in. I have reported them to the ASPCA and sent a complaint to them (email is the only contact infor I could get from their site). If anyone is in the area please go down and urge these people to get these cats into an air conditioned environment ASAP. I did, but maybe if they hear it from more than just one person they will act. I have done what I can....just can't believe an organization that is supposedly set up to help cats would be so stupid!!!!!!
Comments
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I've known the KK ladies for several years. They do a tremendous amount of good work, rescuing and finding foster and perm homes for hundreds of abandoned/unwanted cats each year. Often people bring cats to the bus with no warning or permission and expect KK to just take them.
It IS a very hot day, and I haven't been out there to see the conditions they are in today. KK ladies are often overwhelmed and doing their best in very bad conditions with very little resources.
You say you spoke with them...what did they say? -
I just re-read your post. It reads like you didn't say anything to them in person, just sent an email at the same time reporting them to the ASPCA, and now you are suggesting that other people go and talk to them. Did I read that correctly?
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Do you have any idea where these cats came from? They were living on the street, in crack houses, construction lots, abandoned houses with no AC and little water. Did you bother to talk to the people from Kensington Kitties in person? Ask them about the conditions or get some more info? No, you went home and reported them to the ASPCA and sent KK an email.
Kensington Kitties has helped more cats than I can count. People dump cats at their booth expecting them to just take the cat and find them a home. They won't even donate food for the cat they're dumping. Fosterers will bring their foster cat back to the booth without even telling them they're bringing them back. There are too many cats out there and not enough homes. There is a huge lack of foster homes, where do you think these cats are kept? KK are trying to get cats adopted, the cats have water and shade and they're kept out for 6-7 hours, 1 day a week.
You didn't even speak to the ladies from Kensinton Kitties, how concerned are you really about those cats? What do you expect the ASPCA to do? Are you aware of the extreme overcrowding of shelters now? Are you willing to do anything to help those cats? I am dying to read your response. -
First of all, I did speak to them, as I said in my post, and I just got a blow off. They seemed to think I was over reacting and were more concerned with people swarming around who might adopt. That's why I encouraged other people to go down and see for yourself and add to the encouragement to get these cats indoors to a safe cool place.
Secondly, I don't doubt their intentions, but I have grave doubts about their common sense and knowledge of cat physiology. Panting cats are cats who are already in danger of heat stroke or worse. Don't believe me, do a little research online or ask a vet.
Thirdly, the temps were predicted to and are exceeding 90 degrees. At 90 degrees the carraige horses aren't allowed to run. And we all know what an animal friendly business the carriage horse people have (not). They should have known better than to put them out in this heat in the first place. Once they started to show signs of heat stroke they should have realized their mistake. It wasn't just one panting cat, it was ALL of them.
I have great respect for organizations that run animal rescue operations. All my pets have been shelter animals. I just would expect the people running them to have some sense. Rather than attacking me for sounding the alert on a bad situation, perhaps you should check it out for yourself. That is why i suggested going down there. If you care about animals and you actually know these women, then perhaps you can reach them to explain the danger of the situation. I am not trying to shut down KK, I am trying to alert them to the fact that what they are doing is endangering the lives they are trying to save. -
First, I have seen KK out on numerous occasions over the past few years. I've fostered for them in the past and they've found homes for a few cats I rescued. I've never heard of any of their cats dying from heat stroke or suffering any long term effects.
Second, I know that in the past, if it gets too hot they pack the cats up and go home.
Third, I'm not surprised they were more interested in the potential adopters than talking to you. Those cats need homes, that's why they're out there. You have no idea how many cats they have and what their situation is. Did you offer to help? Go get some ice or ask how long they planned on staying out there? How did you approach them? -
my cats and dogs are inside passed out all over the place. There is only 1 air conditioned room in my apartment. Unfortunately the goddess does not guarantee everyone ac comfort, and this includes cats. Although it is hot out there, I'm sure they are in the shade and get the benefit of a breeze if there is one. Alot of times its nicer outside in the shade than inside with just a fan.
the cats are streesed because they are in cages and not in their usual places. And add all the people who want the cats to Perform for them and kids sticking their fingers in the cages and getting them to react, and adoption tables aren't the best place for cats. but god bless them to trying to find homes for them. -
I agree with Crunchberries. Why on earth would one have cats/kittens kept in one of those small carrying cages out in the sweltering heat? I know KK too, they're hard working people, but this is just dumb.
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I wouldn't be too concerned. I'm sure many a jackass has called ASPCA on KK due to not being allowed to adopt because they're not suitable, not being allowed to just dump their cat whenever/where ever they see fit and being mad at the agency for whatever reason. I'm positive ASPCA is aware what a great organization KK is and will make a call, realize that no ill-deeds are going on and leave it at that.
I guess people aren't really getting it, though. Most of these cats have been taken in off the street - where they lived in 90 degree weather, -10 degree weather, snow, rain, sleet, lightening, etc. A day in a cage with food and water is heaven to most of these animals. -
If it's a carrier with nice sized vents and the animal can stand up and stretch I'd agree, but to be stuffed in a compact carrier, food/water or no food/water, on a 85+ day, sorry, you're not using common sense.
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Now you're bringing in variables. No one said they were in unventilated carriers.
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Have you ever owned a cat? They're often nearly comatose, regardless of the weather! We have air conditioning only in the bedrooms and our female cat usually prefers to stay in the non-AC rooms, even on the hottest of days. Aren't cats desert animals? It's not like with some dogs (bully and pug breeds) where they're in danger of heat stroke. As long as they have water and ventilated cages (which I assume to be the case), they should be fine.
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KK usually has very large cages. Sometimes they are overloaded and cats are in VENTILATED smaller carrying cases - I know they try to put those cats in the places where they will be most comfy - on the bus if it's cold, in the shade if it's hot.
Jackson stayed outside for 5 hours today - mostly lying in the sun (even though there is shade in my garden). He cried when i told him it was time to go in. -
Idlewild wrote: If it's a carrier with nice sized vents and the animal can stand up and stretch I'd agree, but to be stuffed in a compact carrier, food/water or no food/water, on a 85+ day, sorry, you're not using common sense.
KK always has food and water for the kitties. -
antigone wrote: Have you ever owned a cat? They're often nearly comatose, regardless of the weather! We have air conditioning only in the bedrooms and our female cat usually prefers to stay in the non-AC rooms, even on the hottest of days. Aren't cats desert animals? It's not like with some dogs (bully and pug breeds) where they're in danger of heat stroke. As long as they have water and ventilated cages (which I assume to be the case), they should be fine.
I've had cats all my life. I have three now. And yes the cats you see are descendants from cats who evolved in several African deserts. Open air deserts not compact carriers where there's not much cross ventilation and very little standing room. -
Run down and adopt them all, idle. Give them a better life then what you read about on a Brooklynian message board.
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This is the kind of cage the cats are in:
They all have food and water, sheets or towels covering the top of the cage so they have shade. There's plenty of ventilation. -
Anastasia Beaverhausen wrote: Run down and adopt them all, idle. Give them a better life then what you read about on a Brooklynian message board.
Well, considering I saw the cats in the compact carriers in front of the Garfield & 7th Ave fruit store last weekend, I'm not just getting my info from the Boards. Then again, maybe it wasn't KK(?). And while I won't be adopting all the cats like a purple & silver haired cat lady, I will be more than happy to donate some big carriers. -
Idlewild....KK is always looking for big carriers. I have contact phone numbers if you are interested
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Idlewild wrote: [quote=Anastasia Beaverhausen]Run down and adopt them all, idle. Give them a better life then what you read about on a Brooklynian message board.
Well, considering I saw the cats in the compact carriers in front of the Garfield & 7th Ave fruit store last weekend, I'm not just getting my info from the Boards. Then again, maybe it wasn't KK(?). And while I won't be adopting all the cats like a purple & silver haired cat lady, I will be more than happy to donate some big carriers.
Idlewild, KK always sets up on 7th by Key Food and I know they can always use more carriers. Personally I've never seen them show any cats in anything other than the kind of crate I posted above. Sometimes they'll keep cats that have been dumped at their booth in a regular carrier but that's because it's unexpected and they don't have enough crates.
Also, who's this purple and silver haired cat lady who adopts tons of cats? -
I think the OP did the right thing.
I have nothing but the highest respect for Caseo and Flexi and all that they do to help homeless pets, so I'm reluctant to disagree with them. Also, I understand how overwhelming and thankless it often is to be a rescuer. However, given that one of the folks who runs KK was convicted of animal abuse and hoarding not so long ago, I have less than complete confidence that KK is always capable of acting in the best interests of the cats they take in. -
Which owner of KK? Are you sure you are not confusing them with the other group on 7th Ave?
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wow. Laura B, thanks for posting that. I do know Marlene (although I know Jenny (and like her) better). I personally won't do any work for or with them without having a conversation with them. I can't imagine what type of defense there is for this, but since I have fostered for them in the past, I will attempt to keep an open mind to hear if there is another side to this story. I'm really disturbed by all of this.
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Wow. That's an interesting Google search.
And for what it's worth, it's been a war of "newbies" and "oldies" in about 60% of the topics on this board recently. Crunchberry seems to have a valid post, whether or not you agree with his/her's conclusions or actions...I'm not quite sure why the totally rabid response. -
i don't know enough about kensington kitties other than they adopt cats out in front of key food on 7th avenue, but, if this Marlene Kess is truly one of the owners/operators, after reading the link above and googling her name and finding other articles, that is scary.
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crunchberry and LauraB,
Thanks for bringing this information to everyone's attention . -
If this is true, why is that woman still with the organization. She has accusations going back to 05.
I saw another group out in front of John Jay yesterday. One dog was under a table with a blanket thrown over it and the guy spritzed him with water when he came out. They had some other animals out. I thought it was way to hot to have animals out in this heat. -
pokersloper wrote: crunchberry and LauraB,
ditto.
Thanks for bringing this information to everyone's attention . -
They are cats. Everybody just calm the F down. Cats are less important than people. For me personally, they are less important than a ham sandwich.
Cat people are weird - that's a fact only refuted by cat people (because they are weird).
You want proof? Here:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/uoc--cpm080206.php
There are better, more researched articles on this topic... I'm too busy not giving a shit what happens to cats to search for them for you. -
Marlene Kess still works with Kensington Kitties. I was unexpectedly adopted by a cat off the street a couple of months ago. Shortly thereafter, I approached KK on a Saturday afternoon about my options for procuring low-cost neutering and vet services. One of the two women who was working volunteered to come back to my apartment to gauge my cat's approximate age and whether he had already been fixed (I said unequivocally that he was intact, but she seemed to think I couldn't tell). So she came over to my house, felt him up, and took my information in order to make an appointment with the ASPCA van. I thought she'd done me a strange but well-intentioned favor and figured that was the end of our interactions. It was; I never heard from her again. But about a week later, while looking for lost cat listings on craigslist, I found a warning about the founder of KittyKind (Marlene Kess). Horrified by the allegations, I googled her name and found a picture. It was the lady who'd come to my house.
For the record, Ms. Kess is apparently no longer associated with KittyKind. And I'm not saying that Kensington Kitties doesn't do good work. I'm just saying: that lady groped my cat's balls.
Needless to say, I owe him countless hours of therapy.
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