Sammy and Me:

and how a young couple adopted a cat and became vegans

In the late 1990s, I was still doing cat rescue on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  I lived in a nice building facing Central Park, and if anyone thinks that “nice areas” don’t have homeless, hungry cats, they would be wrong – then and now.  Many cats simply wait until dark to come out. 

I can’t recall how I knew there was a cat or two coming to eat but I left food and water out every night in the back of my building and it was gone the next day.  I think I saw a cat a few times, but he ran away. 

My neighbors would surely not have approved of me leaving food out for cats but every night I’d sneak down the back stairs, opening and propping up the heavy outside door (hoping it would not lock behind me) and leave food.   I had been doing it for about a year when the promise of a very cold winter was upon us, and I decided to get “Sammy.” 

I had no idea if he was feral, friendly, or shy - I only knew I needed to rescue him. So one night I went to the area late, armed only with a cat carrier, and waited.  Soon a big gray and white tabby cat appeared - not afraid, but not menacing.  I called him and he came, allowing me to easily put him in the carrier and take him to my apartment.   He seemed to be waiting for this moment.  I had a large kitchen with a door, so this is where I put him since I had other cats – giving him time to decompress.    Sammy was very sweet and friendly - and starved - both for food and attention.  He had a scarred face and cauliflower ear – probably the result of cat fights and, of course, he was not neutered.   I soon took him to Dr. Stephen Cole, a very caring and compassionate vet on W. 97^th St.  Sammy was diagnosed with FIV but otherwise, relatively healthy, and I had him neutered.  When I put Sammy on the floor so Dr. Cole could see him walk – I cried.  Sammy had an old injury – maybe he’d fallen or been thrown from a high rise – his gait revealed this.  In any case, he obviously had been dumped by heartless people.  And by the way – vet care, including spay/neuter, was affordable in those days.  No more. 

I set about looking for a home for Sammy and at that time, the best way to do it was through flyers with pictures and descriptions.  The internet was still in its infancy.  With the help of friends, flyers were posted in vets’ offices and pet supply stores in Manhattan.   One store, called the Barking Zoo, located on Irving Place attracted a young couple who were smitten with Sammy’s story.   The Barking Zoo was the first business venture by Ronan Seri and Pamela Elizabeth, a couple who went on to launch the well-known vegan restaurant Blossom – the last of which sadly closed this year. 

This is the original flyer posted around town

Vanessa and Preston came to my apartment and Sammy’s beaten-up looks did not deter them one bit – instead, they loved him at first sight.  They felt his pain and could see what he had gone through.    They said the right things to me in the interview and Sammy went to live with them. Shortly after, they told me they adopted Bob, another FIV cat – and the two boys became buddies.    This caring couple were on the road to becoming full-fledged animal rights activists and, of course, vegan. 

From time to time, I would hear from Vanessa who told me about Sammy and their new cats; how Sammy was royalty and the top cat – how he especially loved kittens; how she would care for him, giving him vitamins, treats, and nutritious food. He loved to play.  Then in early January 2001, I received a beautiful photo album, which I still have, showing Sammy with his new cat friends. She told me how lucky they were to have made Sammy part of their family.  They had rescued several other cats and Sammy was the “wise old man of the house,” loving the other cats, especially Bob.   He lived with them for about three years and fought his illness to the end, still loving to butt heads and be brushed. 

Below is Sammy and Bob; then Sammy relaxing.

Sammy was about four when Vanessa and Preston adopted him and he lived for about three years after that in a wonderful loving home – the best years of his life.  I wonder if Sammy knew how many people he touched and the lives he influenced -- this scruffy, scar-faced, ally cat who had been discarded trying to make sense of a cruel world.

This was almost 25 years ago but Sammy has always been in my heart.  He represented the reasons I am involved with this issue.  I only knew him for a brief time, but he was a wonderful, precious, sweet cat.  He contracted FIV on the street as many intact male cats do.  And it cuts their lives short. These cats deserve so much more, and society has failed them.

Recently, I reviewed testimony given by the public at the NYC Council hearing on Sept 13^th about animal rescue in NYC.  I noticed a name and thought it looked very familiar – so I reached out and it turned out to be the same Vanessa. 

She and Preston had begun to rescue cats after taking in Sammy and eventually, she became a certified TNR rescuer managing three colonies.   Yes, it was the same Vanessa  – Sammy would be so honored and proud. 

Vanessa is just a person like we all are.  Like most rescuers who testified that day, she puts a lot of time and money into these efforts, which is difficult.  But she has compassion and is caring.  There should be more like her. 

Many people testified at the City Council Health Committee hearing on September 13. Most of the members of the Health Committee did not bother to attend.  Did they have another pressing appointment, or did they simply not care?    No explanation was given. The committee was chaired by Lynn Schulman.  Chairpersons must stay for the duration of a hearing.  As far as I could tell, most committee members did not bother to attend.  Or they might have made an appearance, signed the “attendance book” and left.  They are Julie Menin, Carmen De La Rosa, Kristy Marmorato, Oswald Feliz, James Gennaro, Susan Zhuang, Kalman Yeger, and Mercedes Narcisse.  Remember that when it comes time for their reelection.

 The only one who stayed and got involved with questioning was Joann Ariola.  She deserves much credit. Three other council members not part of this committee came to the Hearing and participated.  They are  Gale Brewer, Justin Brannon, and Robert Holden. Hats off to them also.

It is shameful that eight members of the Health Committee did not think animal issues were important enough to participate.  But this is no surprise.  It happens all the time.  

Click here to see the testimony and transcripts of this hearing.

This is why we need a separate committee to focus on Animal Issues – so the proper attention can be given to such important issues.

How we get one is the challenge. Please, New Yorkers - stay tuned on this issue. There is more to come.

PS - I have only published one substack “The Tragedy of Cat and Dog Overpopulation in NYC - the wealthiest city in the world.” But I thank all of you who commented and all new subscribers. I very much appreciate it and Sammy, I know, would be grateful.