Rescuing an older cat who needed help

[@AuskaDezjArdamaath]

We were found one summer night by an abandoned pregnant momma cat. She was so emaciated at the time that we didn’t know she was carrying babies. Since all shelters were closed that late at night, we brought her home and set her up with food, water, a litter and a blanket in our garage. The next morning, we found out she’d had three kittens during the night. Since she and the kittens would have been euthanized, we decided to foster them even though we already had three other cats. We ended up finding loving homes for momma and two of the girls and ended up keeping one. Lily was with me for 18 years. She passed away a couple years ago from terminal kidney disease. But she had a wonderful 18 years as an indoor cat with lots of love.

[@dinkydoo4994]

😿 👍

[@melaniekeeling7462]

ಥ‿ಥ

[@monabale8263]

hug.

[@ginmar8134]

I'm so sorry.

[@SKS8080]

She will be waiting for u in heaven

[@Hatecrewdethrol]

"I can't hear her heart now because she's purring so much" damn who's cutting onions in my room?

[@easytoslipE2S]

the vet tries to get her to stop purring for a minute and she looks up with that happy little cat smile :*)

[@taszio3751]

Aaaannd..all of this time, work and food, and veterinarian care, all costs lots of money. Please, please donate what you can to these rescue centers. I know also, that Flatbush Cats has a list of meds, food and other supplies that can be ordered online and shipped to them directly. This help is so important. Thank you all rescuers who are spending some very cold nights in the streets caring and rescuing..there is also a major snowstorm coming this way for the next two days.

[@1940limited]

I sent a donation to Flatbush Cats last week. I also donate to Big Cat Rescue in FL and our local animal shelter.

[@dinkydoo4994]

What they said 👆 😻💞

[@nettyspeaks]

Where is this list you speak of?

[@NETBotic]

@@nettyspeaks Probably their website, listed in the description.

[@dorothymalloy1474]

Thank you flatbush you people are truly heroes for helping cats, I adopted my cat Maggie back in 2017 & she was 5 at the time & I love her very much & she is spoiled

[@DanZorny]

I adopted a cat just like her, same age, same situation. One of the best decisions of my life

[@Beekind2527]

Thank you Dan

[@Rick__C-137]

Same, but my kitty girl was pregnant and gave birth the very next morning. We've spayed and neutered everyone and we're keeping them all. One big happy family 💟🙌💟

[@Beekind2527]

@@Rick__C-137 Thank you !!

[@SKS8080]

Thanks for adopting a senior cat

[@xoallison12ox]

Rescuing is one of life's most fulfilling things! 💗

[@AmbivalenceIX]

At that age, she’s probably had multiple litters, maybe even cats that you’ve rescued in the past. One of my best cats was an older girl when we got her. We could tell she’d been a mouser because she would behead and disembowel her toy mice.

[@joyceonthego8317]

Cities could do with more like her to control small vermin.

[@coffee4682]

@@joyceonthego8317 100%, the city should get cats, neuter/spay, train them to mouse, and let em out. It’ll work well cause there’s always rats when there’s humans around

[@Stracera]

Can we take a moment to recognize how great of a person this guy is.

[@patriciakunz1198]

and his lovely wife.

[@lindanorris2455]

THEY ARE BOTH WONDERULFUL PEOPLE.

[@lf1331]

Incredible people

[@1940limited]

235,000 views of this video and 411000o subscribers I think says it all.

[@marsukarhu9477]

Yeah! This is such amazing work they do!

[@pharoahcaraboo9610]

5-7 isn't even that old for a cat! that's practically within their prime. my vet told me once how indoor cats really only start declining in their mid teens and can live into the 20's more commonly now. my cat is 13, and while he's no spring chicken, he's still an active old man!

[@Slythegirl123]

it really depends on the cat. as the vet i work for says it, some cats can be 16 going on 10, and some can be 10 going on 16.

[@DoeDonDoe]

My cat is 17.5 w diabetes and bad kidneys. I give him insulin daily and subcutaneous fluids every 2 days. And hes healthy, active and naughty as a kitten :D He almost died on about 3 occasions around age 14. People told me to stop spending money trying to save him and let him go. But here he is 100% healthy and going strong. Never give up on your kitty!! It cost me like 10,000$ to save his life when he had those medical complications, but 3.5 years later he's still around and very healthy. Having him around and happy = priceless.

[@Slythegirl123]

@@DoeDonDoe oh 100%! We have a 12 year old lady who started losing weight, being growly when picked up and not like her usual self. It took some bloodwork to find she was hyperthyroid. She was gaining weight, but still growling and painful. After some more testing, she has IBD! Takes half a pill morning and night, and a small amount of liquid at night. and the change is fantastic! She's been sleeping on top of me, which she has NEVER done before, and loves being picked up and cuddles! I've almost cried once or twice, thinking about how happy she is, and how much just a little medication and love changed her life. At my work we have a cat in her 20s called Abigail. She comes in every two weeks for fluids, and is still a sassy, happy gal!

[@lindanorris2455]

MY OLDEST CAT EVER, DIED AT 22 YRS OLD. SHE WAS INDOOR ONLY AND WET FOOD ONLY.

[@dexa6623]

Domestic cats usually live roughly 16 years. Wild and outdoor cats often live maybe 8. She is on the older side for a street cat, and most people wanting a cat go for kittens, and young cats. Unfortunatly most people wouldn't adopt a 6 year old cat. Medical care, good food, lots of love, and a safe home play a huge part of life expectancy.

[@Kayayayaya]

I adopted a 4-year-old cat as my last cat and she was the sweetest cat I've ever lived with. I HIGHLY encourage anyone I talk to who is thinking about getting a pet to try an older animal, knowing that they are a less popular choice. Thank you for your sweet videos and the incredible work you do.

[@melaniekeeling7462]

Absolutely agree. Gift yourself with a mature animal. You'll never regret it.

[@tomandme5574]

Awww... I'm in Germany and I like this channel and the cats and the people like you. We always had have left over cats or strays and got them neutered by our vet for our own money and every resqued cat deserve the best life ever. They are so clever and smart. Thankfully we don't have this much strays here.

[@mnemonik61]

Absolutely true! My own rescue kitty has become the most loving little thing once she settled into our household. Her kittens, having grown up in our home, are much less independent and a bit more ... demanding, shall we say? 😎

[@csmith19788]

The best thing about older cats is what you see is what you get. A lot of rescues get to know their quirks and you'll know them upfront. With kittens you have no idea what you're getting as they get older.

[@shadycactus6146]

it’s sorta wild to me that 5-7, let alone 4, might be considered “older” for a cat, considering they can live to be like 20 lol

[@Jaggededge112]

You’re seriously wonderful people. Bella is a beautiful girl. She’s so lucky to have such a loving family and that loving family is lucky to have her.

[@Hhenriette]

yess!! so agree

[@snuggles03]

Totally agree with that

[@PoptartParasol]

Probably the prettiest cat I have ever seen. She's adorable

[@darcydoll437]

When I was a kid my dad found a small cat outside his workshop in an industrial area. She was rail thin and pregnant. The vet said with her growth stunted that she wouldn't be able to give birth on her own. If we didn't find and get her to a vet for a c-section the birth would kill her. My parents decided to go ahead to have her fixed and terminate the pregnancy. So sad, but she was so weak it gave her a chance to recover fully. She had a long happy life with our family. Thank you for giving Bella that same chance. ♥️

[@shamelesshussy]

Your parents made a tough but right decision. They prevented so much suffering. ❤️

[@danasabitova]

It is a sensitive topic, it is very brave of you to talk about it. But it was delivered with so much love and care ❤ Wish you luck and inspiration to continue doing what you do

[@ginmar8134]

Those unborn kittens never lived, passed away peacefully in sleep, enabling already-living cats to be saved and adopted. Flatbush cats honor them by saving those already living, feeling, breathing cats yearning for love and warmth.

[@DoeDonDoe]

Killing preborn kittens of a cat that would have been an amazing mother is brave and sensative? You are twisted. Life is precious. It must be protected. Kittens are precious a f and must be protected. This cat would have loved to be a mother. Mother cats adore their babies and its possibly the greatest joy of their lives. You robbed and murdered her God given baby angel kittens. Sick. Not sensitive or brave, but selfish, illogical, cowardly and weak.

[@basilchampignon]

@@DoeDonDoe i'm sure you're fostering litters upon litters of kittens every week, making sure they all have homes, donating to shelters constantly, and doing TNRs to make sure fewer of these terminations are needed since you're so passionate about "God given baby angel kittens" :) Otherwise you are selfish, illogical, cowardly and weak.

[@elinannestad5320]

@@DoeDonDoe I trust you are out there, rain and sleet, rescuing hundreds of abused animals a year, year after year, and your home has no room to move on account of all the baby animals you have collected and care for day and night.

[@alesin1992]

@@DoeDonDoe Ever heard of this uncomfortable thing called "the lesser evil"? I hope you step down from your high horse and broaden your narrow view on things before that inevitable lose-lose scenario in your life forces you to.

[@thebookworm1613]

You guys are incredible.

[@lindahines9380]

AMEM💯

[@LIR3279]

She is incredibly lucky to have crossed your path and had someone who opened their heart and home to her. She looks extremely appreciative of her new life. May she have many years of skritches and love.

[@annazeman8521]

I never heard of "skritches", but I have lived happily with cats most of my life. So it wasn't too difficult to figure out the meaning of this new word. It should be in the dictionary! Thank you, LIR3279.

[@towerofreason]

as someone who worked in an animal shelter... truly, it's hard to make that decision to spay a pregnant cat and i think all of us (i know i did) grieved for the unborn kittens. but it was something we really do have to do to keep rescuing those kitties out there with our limited resources. thank you so much for talking about it, it's definitely one of the hardest topics to touch on as people who work in animal care and rescue. she's a lovely kitty and i'm so happy you saved her

[@SvengelskaBlondie]

Imagine if all those that complain about it actually did something to help, might not even need to spay pregnant kitties. Then again, it's allot easier to sit and judge behind a screen than to go out and to something.

[@zombei_kid]

@@olliep8117 So you would rather more cats be put into an already overly taxed system, giving them less resources than give them a gentle, humane death? You'd rather they die on the street of illness or injury than give them a gentle, humane death? The happy ending is that an older cat got to have a safe, warm home and no more cats were on the street. It sucks but the overpopulation is our fault. We have to do what's right. Euthanasia is never fun but its something that must be done. Domestic cats aren't wild animals, they're not meant to be outside.

[@WatsonAndDaughter]

@@olliep8117 This is such an ignorant and horrendous take.

[@notquitechaos6705]

when they said "waiting for their moment in the sun" and showed Bella lying in the sun puddle.... i teared up

[@clarascloset]

Personally, I prefer to adopt adult cats. I don’t have patience for a high energy kitten, or teenage cat.

[@theosantana7750]

🤔🤔🤔

[@elsbells4841]

Ohhh how I wish people wouldn’t age-judge. So happy Bella found her forever home, and that you found Bella before she ended up unwanted in a shelter. This pretty cat deserves a good home and a good life.

[@melaniekeeling7462]

@@alanedark1538 I was raised with a fine old Tom. I remember in kindergarten carpool, a mother explained how she liked kittens, but not cats. I thought: What a silly woman.

[@mindyshively4947]

I adopted my 11 year old purrrfect boy a year ago. For Freddie and me, it was love at first sight.

[@dertazgul7284]

It depends though. Many people want a family animal. So they have a young child themselves and want a pet to grow up with them, for that special bond. I can understand that. And you dont want to adopt family pets with a life expectancy of 1-2 years. I personally will adopt older animals when I have the living space necessary, but I can fully understand not everyone wanting to part so soon with their little family members.

[@fionavar6607]

@@dertazgul7284 Real talk I think thats kinda selfish tho? Every cat deserves a loving home even if they have only a couple years left, hell ESPECIALLY because they have so little time left. If you look at a kitten in a shelter, there will probably be hundrets of other potential buyers for them, but for a really old cat, it might be the last chance they get. And to deny them that chance is... almost cruel I feel like.

[@elizzy8754]

@@fionavar6607 I agree with you so much. I also think that given sensitivity and communication kids can deal with the death of a pet better than we believe. Parting, sadness and death are difficult, but they are life lessons and allow a person to deal with similar situations later in life and to share their experience and ways of coping with others.

[@mistywaters5090]

I adopted 7 year old cat that was in shelter for 6 months and days away from being euthanized. I love her she took a while to trust me but now she's a sweetheart. Adopt an older cat they have lots of love to give too.

[@annieo1092]

You know what, little Bella probably had had lots of babies that she lost to the elements anyway. Sad and hard as it was to make that decision, you are beautiful people, given the fact that you actually care. God bless you all...

[@SkyeSalindar]

My family took in a stray cat we'd been feeding roughly 15 years ago now. When she first started coming around mom said no to bringing her inside because we already had 7 or 8 cats at the time. She'd come running whenever I called for her. When she hurt her paw or was bit, we took her to the vet; then she quarantined in my room for a month. She only ever got along with one of our other cats, and was estimated to be around 8 years old. I named her Into, and she spent her days sleeping or playing in my room, and had a heated blanket to sleep on I took her with me when I moved out. She passed only 3 or 4 years after we brought her in from kidney disease. We now have an 12ish year old we adopted who has diabetes, and I love him to death along with our other 2 kitties. When he passes I definitely want to adopt another senior kitty

[@lorrainebeauchamp6470]

I will only adopt or foster senior cats going forward. Kittens in shelters or rescues almost always get adopted quickly. I've seen it a thousand times. Older cats that are scared or need a bit of TLC (usually abandoned and trapped, or surrendered to kill shelters) have far less chances for a second chance at a loving home, and are far more likely to be put to death. I wish more people would adopt or foster senior cats. Once they learn to trust and love again they are the most wonderful, loving companions anyone could ever ask for. Quarantine of 2 to 3 weeks and gradual introduction will be necessary if they come from a shelter and the foster/adopter has other cats they want to keep healthy, and a harmonious relationship is usually only attained by gradual introduction. You can Google the subject to find endless resources and advice.

[@lorrainebeauchamp6470]

@@KirksCORNER1983 research rescues in your area. Look at their reviews on Facebook and Google. Contact the ones with mostly favourable reviews and see what they say. Your cat may also be crying because he has a health issue. A rescue might be able to help you with vet care. He may need a full blood workup and the problem might be easily solved. Either way, a reputable rescue in your area should be able to help you, but contact as many good nonprofit (501c3) rescues as you can, rescues are strained right now because of the pandemic.

[@prishimmer]

lovely cat. more people need to understand euthanasia. lots of people hear "kill shelter" & get the idea that they shouldnt support kill shelters, when really, kill shelters need the most support.

[@MABA333]

I am a volunteer in a shelter in the Netherlands. Cats are not killed overhere. They can stay as long as it takes. Sometimes even more than a year. We have cats of all ages, with 3 legs or one eye. It doesn't matter. We find a home for all of them. I like what you're doing and I support FC with $5,50 a month.

[@robertko5425]

@Ki Love Humans are the ones that created this stray cats and dogs problems, and failed to own up to same. Like I said earlier, when the goings get tough, out goes the cats and dogs, when they no longer have that so-called forever feeling to them. This situation is getting more dire now with many Hedge Funds declaring bankruptcy now, thanks to Robbinhood, Reddit, and etc.

[@MABA333]

@Donnell Okafor please don't give comments on things you don't know anything about. There is no killing in our shelter in the Netherlands. Maybe in the country you live in they do. If after a very long time an animal appears to be really unmanageable, then 4 people have to agree on euthanising. That is 2 people from the shelter, the vet and an a behavioral expert. If 1 of them says no, then it want happen. And all the volunteers know about it. During the 4 years I have been volunteering that happened twice.

[@MABA333]

@Donnell Okafor I wouldn't wanna be a volunteer in your shelter.

[@robertko5425]

@Donnell Okafor Look - you do what you have to do to control their population. Feral and stray cats can also become disease carriers as well, that' why your nation goes out of their way to kill them off..

[@ianhjan]

You have chosen an incredibly difficult path in life with it's attendant pain and heartbreaking decisions. It is clear to me that you are both fueled by love, you are very special people.

[@elaineculbert8594]

- very well said! 👍🇨🇦

[@Cheere]

God bless the old cat got helo, care som kind

[@gardenjoy5223]

The way she looks out of her eyes: you can see what a darling she is. So glad she has a loving home now. Thanks to all involved.

[@popcornism]

I came here like a jet because I love every post you guys make

[@Beekind2527]

Same. Beautiful Bella thank you. People let's do what we can, find quality people to assist..care, share, and always help. Be their voice.

[@1940limited]

Me too. I wish there were more videos from Flatbush Cats. I watched many of them over again.

[@popcornism]

@@1940limited Yea I swear I’ve watched each video like 10 times already

[@Beekind2527]

Maybe you don't have a rescue video to upload, however, I am hopeful that you rescue each time the opportunity presents itself. Thanks popcorn and others.

[@1940limited]

@@popcornism One of my favorites is Duke. I also like the one where they took in kittens past the ideal socializing age, but worked with them. Duke is one of may favorites as our stray cat's circumstances were similar. We think he may have been someone's pet.

[@maximilianemustermann815]

I expected the happy end to be with kittens. Took a while for the message to sink in.

[@gambinored81]

Dislikes should be disabled 👎🏾 I just rescued an injured beautiful black and white long haired male cat that had an injured paw and leg. We have a place here in Roanoke VA called Angels of Assisi that finds loving homes for kittens cats puppies and Dogs through the Petco Foundation. Thanks to your Videos, I've learned a lot. 💚 I also have two cats of my own one I've had for 12 years the other one for two years she is the same age as the other cat. The information in these videos are very informative. The stats in this one is astonishing. I had a feeling that the shelters don't have enough resources to give these animals the medical love care and attention they need. I am making sure I do my part in my neighborhood to help. I've rescued 3 kittens and 3 adult cats two of them I kept. 💚🍀💚Thank you@Flatbush Cats

[@benw9949]

Shelter. A safe haven. Warmth in the winter. Coolness in the summer. Fresh food and clean water. Humans who love and protect instead of hurt or hate or chase away. These are blessings for a cat or a human. Why, if we are so advanced, can we not provide enough for people and animals in need? -- That mama cat may have had a home some years ago, to accept a human place to live so readily, although I'm sure she was desperate for enough food and for a safe place to give birth and care for her babies. -- Where I am, we are going to have reacord-breaking high temps getting into the 100's by the end of this week and into next week, with no chance of rain. That's about two weeks of temps at least a month earlier than normal, breaking records. That's going to stress out people and cats and dogs alike. -- I'm going to put out a water bowl under the stairs by my apartment door to the parking lot. The strays need help. I'm handicapped, and getting rides and budget are very tough lately. I don't have a good, easy way to get my own two cats, both rescues from the same situation, to the vet; one is overdue to be spayed, the other was spayed last year. -- I don/t really have apt, space for another cat, but if another stray kitten shows up, I'd do it. It is kitten season, and the strays are breeding. There is a new crop of regulars after the last batch disappeared, but one or two who are still around with the new ones. It's unbelievable and constant. The need for help is always there. -- About threee years ago, I fostered a mom cat and her kittens, right before the pandemic lockdown, and oh, by the time I could find any no-kill shelter to take them, the kittens were so big and eating me out of house and home! But they got to a shelter where they could be adopted out, and the mama and kittens were safe, had their shots, and mama had been spayed before I got them there. It was worth it. (Mama cat had decided my apt. was the place for her and her babies, and invited herself in. Haha.) Moral: even if you can only two a little bit, do that and work on it. I can't do a whole lot, but I can do a little for the strays still. It makes me feel better, even when the strays are too feral and scared to approach for help. At least they get a little food and the idea that some humans are kind enough to help a little. The reward of a rescue, like my own two cats, is worth it.

[@psc1939]

Flatbush Cat folks you are amazing!!! So many people don't understand what feral, unwanted cats go through. They think cats are happy roaming the streets living off of rodents and producing litter after unwanted litter of kittens, many of which will never survive to the age of one year. And terminating unborn kittens is heartbreaking. The first time I made that decision I cried. But it was equally heart wrenching to find kitten after dead kitten abandoned by their moms who could not care for them and to find 25 live kittens, 6 weeks and younger, in an alley, with no one to claim them. I have rescued cats ( some dogs) for 25 years and it is not easy and not cheap. If anyone reads this, please consider donating to Flatbush Cats, your local rescue or shelter or an individual who rescues. I know these are difficult days but any dollar, bag or can of food helps. Thank you!

[@shinjuinoue6600]

I’ve had cats for practically my whole life, 72 years, and most were strays that found their way to our house and though we didn’t have my, they lived with food and a place to sleep and be warm in cold weather…Most are just memories and now I have just one, my Laralyn, sixteen, found outside in a box before her eyes were opened fully, and now is the apple of my eyes and the queen of our house and I will love her and give her the best of me as I love her as all who own pets. Those who for reasons can’t continue to keep them, please find them another home or take to a shelter, please🙏

[@SpiritusMundi4EVER]

♥♥♥♥♥

[@motozulli]

I prefer having an older cat. I adopted mine at when she was around 4. Someone else got to deal with training and socializing her, i just got a mellow sweetie with excellent manners who only wants good pets and a warm lap to cuddle on

[@NotAStanAccount]

Good for you! You're doing the L-rd's work, m'dear. Sounds like huge quality-of-life upgrade for both you and your new family member!

[@JasperGleam]

it always makes me angry when people hate kill shelters but dont go out of their way to donate and help them become no kill,

[@Slythegirl123]

^^^^ someone who posted a few days after you was like that. It makes me so, so angry.

[@DavidNikkiZane]

@@Slythegirl123 In school, this lady did her entire PROJECT about why kill shelters are evil and should be illegal. It was incredibly difficult to stop myself from yelling at her in the middle of it.

[@Slythegirl123]

@@DavidNikkiZane god i would scream.

[@pawshands9706]

I grew up in those freezing NYC winters. I cannot begin to know how hard it is for those suffering mamas/to be. Spay/neuter saves lives. Some people just cannot understand how important this is. Bella finally got the life they all deserve. PLEASE SPAY/NEUTER 🙏🏽😻😻😻

[@user-yg9rl4sq1x]

I adopted an older cat a few years ago from a shelter and she has been one of the best pets I've had the pleasure of having in my life. I always recommend people looking for new pets to not be scared off by older animals, they still have plenty of love to give!

[@sandiali4740]

I also adopted a 12 yr old. He is a doll in disguise So chill. And very handsome for his age

[@DavidNikkiZane]

I really don't know why everyone is talking about older cats. She's not at all old! It's like calling a 30 year old old.

[@belladonna8425]

Yes! It's like they know you helped them and they're grateful for it. They end up amazing pets. Even consider adopting the ones they call feral. They come around most of the time with patience. My cat George had that label, by the time he was with me for a year, he went from hissing at me from the top of the fridge to sleeping on my face😂

[@lyleslaton3086]

I truly wish we could save them all. I just loss a senior cat last week. He wasn't with me long,but I gave him better than he had before.

[@gremlinwithstickyhands3704]

Senior adopts are truly angels. My dad only adopts senior dogs, he loves all of them so much. Rotten teeth, achey joints, grey eyebrows and all.

[@Glim246]

Sorry for your loss. Even in a short time they curl up in your heart.

[@Glim246]

@@gremlinwithstickyhands3704 Love your Dad! It takes a lot of heart to fall in love knowing that it won't be for as long as you'd wish. They are very lucky oldies but goodies.☺

[@srk9046]

The biggest issue IS lack of resources and low-priced spray and neuter services. Thank you for saving her and for all Flatbush Cats does to find cats homes and raise awareness. ❤️💪🏻😻

[@tokemob9346]

Bella looks exactly like my kitty, Archie. He passed away at the end of January from a brain tumor and this video reminded me of the thousands of days of joy he's given me.

[@albaniaalban]

Sounds like he and you got to share many happy days together. I'm sorry for your loss 💔

[@Rigelbloore]

Older cats (and dogs too) have a particular charm and still have a lot of love to give! It's kinda disheartening that they get adopted less :(

[@Cheere]

Take care and save the poor cat, I m glad the cat is alive and savers giveves food

[@bethlockwood2960]

I just love this video. I am this babies Cat Sitter and she is so very precious. Her mom and dad could not love her more. Thank you so much for saving her and for doing everything that you do.

[@magnushelin007]

Thank you for taking care of her! You are amazing :-)

[@rosehouston9208]

Thanks! I couldn't figure out now to send a donation. I'm older & suggest you tell people to look for the $ sign.

[@mainlandful]

It's such an important topic to talk about - it is an essential tool for cat rescue just as much as any other. We found what we thought was a kitten in our back yard one day in the middle of winter which turned out to be a grown cat, albeit extremely small in stature, weighing just under 3kg. We realised she was pregnant and took her to the vet who spayed her and terminated the pregnancy. At the time we simply didn't have the resources to take her in and also had a sickly older cat that we would not have wanted to stress out by introducing a new cat. A few years later, our first cat had sadly passed away but that gave us a chance to take in the little one who we had been taking care of as an outside cat. I'm so glad the vet performed the procedure. I know she would've had trouble protecting her babies from the tomcats and other dangers given how tiny she was and I know it was the best choice for her, as well as not having to go through the trauma of birth. She's now a total indoor cat getting food straight to her bed 5 times a day.

[@chriscorbin2059]

Thanks! Hope this helps a little.

[@elizzievb]

For me, I would much rather see pregnant spaying than unwanted kittens born in the streets to a horrible life. Some sweet day none of this will be necessary thanks to the efforts of the TNR community. Love to them all. 😢❤️

[@ikeekieeki]

thank you for addressing this difficult topic. 800,000 cats per year is too many. i hope more people will give money and resources to help TNR programs.

[@youngraines851]

Heartbreaking truth. If only every single cat can encounter a miracle like this - what a dream this world would be. Meanwhile we try our human best to help cats in various plights - domestically & overseas. Not much - but we try our best. Please thumbs up & comment for more advertising revenue to this worthy cause.

[@michaelas131]

Wonderful! Thanks for saving her and so many cats... 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️😻😻😻

[@Skay24]

This is a cat who look for a home.

[@robertko5425]

Unfortunately, its many of these so-called "Forever families" and "Forever homes" are your main culprits that are throwing away their cats AND dogs when their financial situations GET TOUGH !!! Look at many of these HEDGE FUNDS that are going BANKRUPT today alone, more of these scammers out of work now.....

[@Jack_Callcott_AU]

I must be like cat heaven to be bought in off the cold street to a heated apartment and be well fed and groomed. Bella really likes that brush.

[@info_fox]

05:23 "Draw me like one of your French girls."

[@b.c.mpinar6721]

Thank you so much. Dankeschon fur die Rettung.. 🙏👏🙏👏❤

[@toccabrigitte2684]

Beautiful story. Love my cat that I adopted a few months back who is 13 years old with diabetes in remission, arthritis, and early signs of kidney disease. His medical issues don't phase me and are treatable with a special diet and liquid glucosamine that I add to his wet food. He's loving senior life, basking in the winter sunlight and spoiled rotten.

[@Pythonaria]

I'm a "failed foster" many times over. Oldest cat I've fostered was approx. 12 years old. Rescued from the streets. Was obviously once someone's pet. She became part of my family. We've had her for 3 years now. I have 10 cats. 8 of them are rescues and the love that I get back from them is just wonderful. Suffice to say, all of them are neutered, spayed and all are indoor cats. None of them will ever be left out in the cold again. Here in the UK we don't have kill shelters. Only cats that are too badly injured or terminally ill are PTS and all cats adopted from rescues, many of which are local run by volunteers are neutered or spayed before adoption. In the case of kittens, the adopter must sign an agreement to have the kitten neutered/spayed with a letter from the vet confirming this when they are old enough. You do an amazing job. Thankyou for saving these cats.

[@thizlam4810]

2:39 Her just staring out the window like “wow, I can’t believe I’m not outside anymore” broke me

[@JuliusX9]

Thank you. It took me a while to understand. Vets and people working in animal shelters are not heartless souls. They have to decide what is best and possible. Nobody said it would be easy working there. Sometimes I don't get people overreacting to such decisions. I mean, what exactly would they do if they had no recourses, money, space and time? It was a sad situation, yes, but the best option for Bella. She is such a sweet heart! Our first cat was a stray from the street and lived with us for nearly 16 years. Our current kitty adopted us when we visited our local animal shelter. Back then she was about 6-7, and now being about 17 years old she is on medications due to age. But she is still the snuggle bug that followed us around in the animal shelter. And we explicitly didn't want a kitten. Best decision ever!

[@Slythegirl123]

thank you for your understanding on the topic. we have had clients come in for low cost spays to find their cat is pregnant. One cat has come in 3 times, and been ultrasounded all 3 times with kittens. The first two times, the owner kept them. The doctor had to very frankly tell her- if we do not spay her, this will keep continuing. The owner couldn't afford to care for more kittens. So the early pregnancy was aborted. The cat is a sweet, happy thing. It's a simple fact of life, that sometimes difficult choices have to be made.

[@ΖαφείραΓαλιάτσου]

We are so greatful that.people like you exist and work and offer so much in this difficult and often bitter world. Thank you. Greetings and best wishes from Athens, Greece.

[@k_a_y_l_e_e]

with people like flatbush and takis, my faith in humanity is slowly returning.

[@rottingsun]

I sobbed. I wish my old man wasn't so territorial.

[@amalia7513]

Ah yes, time for my regularly-scheduled Flatbush Cats cry session

[@catladyoftroyn.y.8713]

Thank you for all.you do. I do the same thing in my neighborhood! When I first moved here, ten years ago, there were hundreds of cats. I've lost count of all I've socialized and found homes for. This past summer, I could not find one litter. I have, however, a mommy and daughter family, that can't be separated. They ate now ten and nine years old. I feed them breakfast and dinner every day. They let me pet them, and I've only been able to pick mommy Kiki Little Soldier twice. It breaks my heart every day, especially on these cold winter nights. I will stay right where I am, and pray, they will move in with me one day. I have a family plus living in my home, all past 12 years old now. They were feral too. One, is a three-legged with one eye. Smartest and toughest big guy ever. I kept him with his mother. No one wanted a crippled cat, but he's so amazing. All those people missed their chance. A few years back, I was able to find a few donors, to help me feed these furbabies. I don't know what I would have done without their help! Thank you again for all you do. It's not an easy job, but know this, you have a heart of gold. I share your videos in hopes some of my donors will see what you do. I live in Troy NY and I am, the 9th Street Cats! Keep up the good work. Much Love to all of you, and the Flatbush Cats. Rosie

[@notstarved4634]

Thank you for spreading the awareness about spay abort. The truth is, cats don't become depressed when they lose their litter to a spay abort. they don't know what's happening and become so much more relieved to not have the burden of carrying kits. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@lizzie31]

I was wondering about this, I was really worried - do you have any good sources?

[@honeybeehomicide6760]

It makes me feel better about that decision, I adopted a pregnant 4 month old kitten, and figured she just wasn't ready for it, she's much happier now and more active

[@lpperrone]

They know a lot more then you presume. If they do not know>>how can they be relieved????

[@Sashazur]

Even if they don’t know they are pregnant or what that means, They at least would be relieved from the extra weight to carry and the extra hunger pushing them to take more risks.

[@glm4054]

Older cats make The Most Wonderful pets❣️😻🙏 They are awesome mellow companions who know what you want vs. the crazy, unfocused (yet wonderful in a different way) young cat energy ‼️ RIP Morissette ❣️😸🌠🌠🌠 I LOVE you FOREVER, Miss Kitty...🐾🐾🐾

[@suzanneshephard2743]

I love that you not only rescue these animals (and release again when appropriate), but you are so knowledgeable and you share that knowledge with us so we also can know better. And you do everything you can to address the root(s) of the problem(s). Your approach is really stellar, and I applaud you for it.

[@petershim5900]

Sweet Bella 🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️ Thank you Flatbush ❤️🙏🏼

[@shaunjoseph8907]

I adopted an unsocial "non lap" cat (as the shelter called him). The volunteers would never spend time with him because he was not very social. My daughter (who was 4 at the time) cried over a video online of a kitty playing with a pinecone. She thought the kitty had no family. So I took her to the shelter so that she could see what real homeless kitties looked like. I said we were not getting a kitty. But once we were there a cat kept calling out to me, trilling. He called to my heart. Then I found out his story and that he had been all alone in a cage for over 6 months. In a few weeks he came home with us. I have 4 cats (3 of which are rescues) and he is the most loving kitty I have seen. He is now a lap cat for me and very social. I'm grateful for the day Alako picked me. My heart listened and in May he will have been with us for 2 years. Your stories always make me think of him. I have seen firsthand the love of rescues and it is so great.

[@magnushelin007]

Thank you for taking care of Alako :-)

[@shaunjoseph8907]

@@magnushelin007 Thank you so much! He is my little sneezy love bug.

[@arlenecorrea5730]

Waiting fir their moment in tbe sun.. 😭😭 Thank you truly good beautiful people. Your labor is so necessary and valuable. I have no words to express my admiration. Mine are mostly older cats, all from the streets, as they call them down here, who came into my life and shiwer me with so much love and company I can't even start to explain. I pity those who haven't or will never know the love of an animal.

[@amme30]

I always have adopted older cats for this reason, it breaks my heart that people would think they are too old when what they are is experienced in giving love and bringing joy

[@anthonycangelosi9938]

Blessings for caring for these sweet, beautiful lil creatures. Pregnant cats out in the cold R especially heartbreaking. U guys R beautiful people 💘💘🥰🥰😇😇❤❤😁🙏🙏🙏

[@SoleaGalilei]

I appreciate your sensitive approach to a difficult topic. Sometimes in life there is no ideal answer and you have to make hard choices.

[@mirianansotegi649]

What a gorgeous girl🐾😽🐾. Thank you.

[@1940limited]

We have 6 cats: 4 from the local animal shelter; one stray that wandered into our yard; and the oldest one, now 14, that was in a box of free kittens at a farmer's stand. It takes all of our spare time caring for them. I know there's so many more that need homes, but we can't do anymore. Two of our friends have 8-10 cats. Collectively we've given homes to many.

[@melaniekeeling7462]

I have a couple of friends with 20 in their apartment.

[@loredanatagliaferri5339]

Me too! Six adult cats, all rescued and neutred. They happily live with me. :-)

[@1940limited]

@@loredanatagliaferri5339 Thank you for taking care of them. Ours range from 6 months to 14 years. Most are in the 2-5 year range.

[@1940limited]

@@melaniekeeling7462 That's amazing. Cats are easy to accumulate. I trust she's able to properly care for all of them. You've probably heard of Cats On The Kings in CA; a cat sanctuary that has anywhere from 700-1000 cats at all times. She's a no-kill, no-cage shelter. Even with someone like that there are still so many needing homes.

[@loredanatagliaferri5339]

@@1940limited my cats are older, 10-15 years and need much care. But they were lucky they had met me :-). My house has a garden so they are free to move around. Best wishes from Italy.

[@jhongomez5845]

DIOS TE BENDIGA ...MILLONES DE GRACIAS POR RESCATARLO.....NO AL MALTRATO ANIMAL

[@eileenharding6880]

It is a horrible situation to be in, but I do understand why it has to done, you do a marvellous thing for these cats, and I am so happy for Bella, she is a beauty, and you have given her the chance of a wonderful life, no more starving on the streets, no more babies born on the streets to suffer, bless you ❤️❤️❤️

[@haroldcarrasco8214]

What a nice ending , I am glad she got helped and adopted. 😊

[@cayennenaturetrails8953]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for Helping :) :)

[@elbenezermirabuena7755]

Dont say "We need more people like him",Say "I wanna be like him"

[@daynaevans7670]

Kudos for bringing up a difficult topic. It's not a simple decision to make and easy for people on the outside to judge. But you're the ones making a difference.

[@chaseyandfurrriends5072]

Keep rescuing animals. You may lose your mind but you will surely find your soul.❤️🐾🙏

[@addicted367]

She looks similar to a cat I've been feeding in my neighborhood. I think my neighbors just stopped taking care of him 😔

[@M3gekje]

Then take him home :)

[@addicted367]

@@M3gekje The thing is, I want to bring him inside but I think he's spraying. I also already have a male cat and they fight ☹️

[@OtherTheDave]

Sad story warning... There was a neighborhood cat where I used to live. She _had_ been some family’s indoor cat, but then the daughter discovered Paris Hilton or something, got a purse dog, and the cat decided it’d rather live outside and deal with winter than live inside and deal with the dog. She’d kinda wander from house to house, run inside when you’d open the door to go check the mail or whatever, hang out for a while, demand attention, take a nap on the window sill in the sun, etc, then ask to be let back outside. “Bye! See you in a month!” 😂 We’d bought a litter box in case she came over right before /during bad weather or something, and she knew exactly what it was for and needed no encouragement or training to use it. One day while I was at work, my roommate let Sassy in (we’d discovered her name by then, from our neighbors who lived next to her old owners before they moved) like he always would. Everything was fine for a while, but then she couldn’t make it to the litter box in time and had diarrhea in the hallway. She was gone by the time I got home - “fled in shame”, as my roommate put it, as he thought she was acting like she knew what she’d done. He & I were talking about it the next day and I remembered that she’d had diarrhea in the litter box the last time she’d spent the night, and we both thought she might’ve lost some weight over the preceding couple months. On a hunch, we decided to get a cat carrier and take her to the vet next time she came by. She had _very_ late-stage, um, “some part of the digestive system” cancer, was probably in pain, and didn’t have much time left (IIRC, “days, maybe a week”). My roommate went over to the neighbors’ house who’d told us her name since their kids and Sassy liked playing together, and filled them in on the situation. As I remember it, everyone said their goodbyes that evening, and my roommate & I took her back to the vet the next day, but this was long enough ago that I wouldn’t assume I’m getting the timing exactly right. I don’t know if her cancer would’ve been treatable had it been caught earlier, but even if it hadn’t been IIRC there were a couple other minor things wrong that we could’ve fixed to improve her QoL if we’d known earlier.

[@derekmahon1652]

"There are plenty of cats just like Bella in a shelter near you, just waiting for their moment in the sun..."

[@annamaria1752]

I love people who loves animals 😊😘

[@PaulKate322]

I’m sooooo happy for Bella I rescued 7 cats from out doors and planning on rescuing many more 2 of my rescue cats are senior cats , and I adore them

[@madcratebuilder]

The truth is necessary, thank you for putting this out to the public. Bella is a lovely girl. I urge everyone to donate to there local no kill shelter.

[@queenbeedat8726]

God bless everyone who saved animals ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Canuckmom128]

OK...I was confused and went back to re-watch this vid, because at the end it's clear that Bella has a tipped ear, so I'm thinking: "how the heck is she pregnant?". I now see in the opening feed/trap shots that her ear is not tipped. What a sweet tabby - I wonder if she was dumped cuz she sure isn't feral. Bless everyone at FBC and the lovely people who took her in and gave her a safe, healthy place to have her litter. Have a great life, Bella.

[@Glim246]

I'm still confused. Why would you tip an ear on a cat that is going to a forever home? In case they get out? I would never think to do that to one of my own cats and none of our "prefixed" cats have had that done. I'm very curious. I'm also thankful beyond words that there are people out there dealing with all these issues to give these tiny beings better lives.

[@Canuckmom128]

@Glim246 FBC may have done it before they determined that this adult cat was Socialized enough to go to a Furever home. She was trapped as part of their TNR Program, and she would have been spayed and ear tipped when the kittens were weaned. Possibly, it was in case she got away from her Hoomans, so that she was easily identified as being through a TNR program. Not really sure, but she certainly has a loving home now, as do her kittens. 👍💜🐈🐾

[@dorothymalloy1474]

I adopted my cat Maggie back in 2017 & she was 5 at the time but 3 years later she is now 8 years old & I love her very much, love your channel

[@Jenjen-qc5eq]

She has a loving nature the age shouldn't matter.

[@dw1-norskgaming923]

Please, please her friend...can You get them both together?!!! ❤️

[@Lori5564]

😊💜 Thank you !

[@sallychamness2159]

God bless you all. Meow love always 💖🐾

[@wawawillegers4991]

God bless Bella and her adopted parents. Nothing makes me feel better than to hear furbabies adopted and lead a happy life. Thank you ❤️

[@glamdolly30]

Thank you for educating people through your important channel. I was not aware of pregnant spay, obviously it is a sad and emotive subject. But it is the lesser of two evils. This emphasises why it is so crucial to spay neuter, so kittens are never conceived in the first place. These images of Bella, happy, healthy and loved at last as she deserves, show the big consolation to this sadness. Now we must all do what we can to get all the Bella's out there sterilised BEFORE they conceive. I must give a shout out for older cats. Many years ago I went to a cat shelter and fell in love with an elderly male grey and white Persian cat. He was a retired stud cat, who lived his whole life in a cage until he was finally retired and his owner's daughter, a harassed young mother, took him in. One day he escaped that home (where the small children tormented him), and a member of the public found him hiding in her shed. Not knowing where he'd come from, she took him to the cat shelter. When they checked for a microchip and rang the breeder he'd originated from, she told them his story. And she said that the family did not want him back. That's how I won the cat lottery, and he became my boy. He was such a sorry sight when I first clapped eyes on him at the shelter. When he had first been found in the shed, his beautiful long fur was badly matted. So the shelter had to shave him, all except his head and four paws. He looked so comical, a long legged boy with a shaved body, a head like a big, round chrysanthemum and four, shaggy, 'yeti boots' . And if that weren't bizarre enough, they had put a coat on him to keep him warm, and he had one front leg in, and one leg out of it! But when a kennel maid went into his cage to feed him, I fell in love. He was SO incredibly affectionate, getting up on his back legs to give her a bear hug, his front paws tight around her neck, his beautiful, flat face nuzzling hers. I knew I had to have those hugs in my life! Fulton lived a happy retirement with my family for two years, befriending my cats, snoozing on the garden lawn in summer and on the hearthrug before the fire when it turned cold. He had a healthy appetite, and loved nothing more than being carried around like a baby - he couldn't get close enough, he just adored humans (despite what they had done to him). Eventually a growth was found in his abdomen during surgery and when the vet rang to tell us, we had to make the sad decision to let him go under general anaesthetic. We were blessed to enjoy Fulton's company for only two years but he was unforgettable - we were so lucky to have him join our family. And I'm sure those last two years of freedom and human devotion, were the best of his life. So please don't rule out adopting an older or even an elderly cat. They can be such a blessing and a joy, and give you some of the sweetest days of your life!

[@marino3974]

You Flatbush Heroes are the BEST... 🙏💓💓💓💓💓💓👍🐱🐈

[@HelenaRG71]

I rescued my Daisy (she was around 11 months old back then) after 3 months feeding her on the streets, she was too shy and did not go into traps. One day in early March I saw her mating so I knew I had to catch her by hand, otherwise there would be more cats. And I did it. Right the next day I went to the vet and had her castrated and also chipped. Just in time before there was a pregnancy. Now she’s sitting next to me here in homeoffice and enjoys her new life. She watched this video with me.

[@geekthegirl6961]

The work you do, the videos you make, the cats you rescue. All amazing. Thank you.

[@billygillan821]

America should give you two medals, so much negative news comes out America,but there is good in you two amazing caring great human beings,god truly bless you and all the precious animals you safe❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lowman5000]

I'm not in the US but I follow your stories and I am so thankful that caring people like you are out there helping. Our first cat my wife and I adopted was an 8-10 year old "senior" from a rescue organisation here in Australia. He was so grateful and loving and everything we could have hoped for and we had a happy almost-8 years with him. He suffered a serious stroke a few weeks ago and due to his age the vets told us that there was nothing they could do other than to help him move on. I was there with him and held him as he took his final breath. Once the pain eases a bit I will again adopt an older senior rescue because they all deserve love and a safe home (and will adopt a 2nd, slightly younger cat as well to keep them company).

[@tuercacaso]

It takes courage of a sort to adopt a senior cat. I lost one at 18 in very similar circumstances; she passed peacefully in my company at the vet's office (they did a wonderful, respectful thing and made it as "okay" as it could be for both of us.) As you say "once the pain eases..." and indeed, we adopted a super senior about 18 months ago, at the ripe old age of 14 years, 11 months, and 7 days! She is amazing and one of the most beautiful souls I've EVER met and spent time with!!! She is now 16 years. 5 months, and 24 days old. It will be awful when "that time" comes but I'll tell you what... LOVE is limitless and eternal and cannot be ended, only started. Thank you for sharing your story... sending love and understanding from another state that borders NY.

[@ivy4114]

I don't find this story sad at all. It is so wonderful that Bella got a beautiful home and the love she deserves. What I find sad are the kittens that are born on the streets and have short tortured lives. Poor little things did not ask to be born. Hopefully one day most of these community cats will be spayed and neutered and this sad cycle will end.

[@thestevenofsuburbia8431]

"She became a master hunter, feared by all" Adorable

[@patriciagarcia5301]

Clipped ear Bella. Beautiful personality. Lucky girl.