The Bushwick Blondies
These two little cuties, dubbed Horatio and Gitano, were found outside a bodega on Stagg Street between Waterbury Street and Bushwick Avenue last week and are currently being fostered by volunteers from the BARC Shelter. The boys haven’t had an easy start in life - as Lisa V. reports:
There was a “string” wrapped around Horatio’s right rear leg that was probably his mother’s umbilical cord. He lost his foot but that is the least of his problems right now. It appears his legs have some kind of developmental defect as they are weak and “rubbery” He isn’t able to support his weight, although he tries to keep up with his unaffected brother Gitano. We’re looking into the right kind of physical therapy and possible treatment for Horatio.
From all accounts these little guys have a lot of spunk, but they need your help to thrive. Please check out the BARC Kitten Wish List and Network For Good for ways you can contribute.
(Photo of the Bushwick Boys by Lisacat on Flickr; see their photoset here, and a short video clip of Horatio here)
September 5th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
aw, i was thinking about posting this too! the thing with the kitten’s legs may not be as dire as it sounds here. he may need help but i’ve now know several street cats with this problem. it sometimes happens due to malnourishment which in turn hinders brain development. i raised a kitten with a case of wobbly-legs and he turned out fine (he just tends to run into things a lot).
plus my new cat (Lucy) seems to have a mild case of this, but it just manifests itself as an odd walking style.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
This is you two.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
JL, you mean cerebellar hyperplasia? I think Lisa said it seems to be something different - and I know she’s had lots of experience with “wobblies” before.
And hush, Jeremy. ;p
September 5th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
i do own the ‘crazy cat lady’ action figure. my neighbor somberly told me about the recent cases of houses full of cats that have been in the news recently. i think he’s worried.
September 5th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Thank you for posting this Jennifer! I’m trying to get some better videos of Horatio to send to some vets that may have insight into what’s wrong with his legs. Right now I’m improvising some physical therapy and he seems to be getting stronger. His brother Gitano is fine and will not hold still for a second to get new photos for flickr… I guess that’s a good thing!
Jimmylegs: yeah, it might be cerebellar hypoplasia, but it just looks like something else to me. Good news is they are both eating, pooping, peeing normally and that’s about all you can hope for with these teeny, tiny ones.
*I just read catemato’s forum post about the possibly abused cats in her backyard and am reminded of the bad old days in Williamsburg when there were packs of stray dogs down by the river and stray cats everywhere!
September 6th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Hey guys.
I have been trying to donate money via Network For Good and it’s not working! I can’t sign in (or up) it just refreshes the page over and over again. Anyone know why this is happening? Did it happen to anyone else?
Lisa, if you read this, would money be better or the items on Amazon? If this has already been answered, I do apologize. I steal minutes during the day. Only so much time with the new baby!
Let me know.
Michele
September 6th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Thanks Michele! Murray and Emory have the best mom ever! I don’t know what’s up with the link, but I will check. It was working for me when I first posted. Supplies are good, but with vet expenses looming, $ is better! You can send a check or call in a credit card donation directly to the shelter, just make a note or mention that it’s for Lisa Vallez’ foster kittens
BARC Shelter
253 Wythe Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-486-7489