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Last week we told you all about Alfie. He’s the ten year old stray from Bensonhurst who recently suffered a devastating injury to his left hind leg, then struggled to survive as rapidly-worsening infection set in. By the time Celeste, a local caretaker, found him crumpled on the ground near her home and called Neighborhood Cats, he was in dire shape. But even in his darkest hour his will to live stayed strong.
If you fell in love with Alfie just from reading his story, you’re not alone! Our urgent appeal to save the plucky old cat resulted in an outpouring of donations... and a flood of hearts, emojis, well wishes and fervent requests for updates. Today we can report that while we’re making progress, the journey so far hasn’t been easy. Despite his fragile condition Alfie had to undergo amputation of his ruined leg without delay, to stop the spread of deadly infection. The operation was grueling and he went into cardiac arrest halfway through. We nearly lost him. We are forever grateful to his medical team whose cool heads and expert care brought him back.
If you fell in love with Alfie just from reading his story, you’re not alone! Our urgent appeal to save the plucky old cat resulted in an outpouring of donations... and a flood of hearts, emojis, well wishes and fervent requests for updates. Today we can report that while we’re making progress, the journey so far hasn’t been easy. Despite his fragile condition Alfie had to undergo amputation of his ruined leg without delay, to stop the spread of deadly infection. The operation was grueling and he went into cardiac arrest halfway through. We nearly lost him. We are forever grateful to his medical team whose cool heads and expert care brought him back.
Alfie is now napping the days away under Celeste’s watchful eyes. Like a little hibernating bear, his body is telling him it’s time to rest. Later he’ll learn to walk and run on three legs and in a few weeks, when he’s better we’ll bring him for the dental surgery he needs so badly. But for now our drowsy boy is safe, warm and getting just a bit stronger each day. Though his recovery has a long way to go, he’s already come so far. Your kindness is saving Alfie! Thank you for caring.
Please help with your donation today.
Please help with your donation today.
Susan Richmond,
Executive Director Neighborhood Cats
NeighborhoodCats has perfectly expressed why thousands of people have become cat colony caregivers...
"Why work with ferals? It’s a question we’re often asked.When there’s so much wrong in the world today, why choose to work with animals you may never be able to touch? Who must be trapped to get them fixed and handled carefully so you don’t get hurt? Who are misunderstood by many and resented simply for being there?
Because their lives have value. Because they feel want, pain and, yes, love like everyone. Because they’re innocent and need us. And because you want us to help them, something you make clear every time you donate.
Please consider a generous gift to our Holiday Rescue Fund and make it possible for us to save more of these precious lives in 2026."
Cat Caregivers: Unsung Heroes Appreciated Worldwide
In many corners of the globe, the quiet dedication of those who care for feral and stray cat colonies is not only accepted but genuinely appreciated as an act of compassion and community spirit. Here are some inspiring examples:
- Turkey (especially Istanbul): Rooted in cultural and religious traditions that revere cats, feeding and caring for strays is seen as a virtuous deed; communities, shopkeepers, and even municipalities support caregivers, viewing them as guardians of a beloved urban tradition.
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Japan: Government-backed community cat programs honor volunteers who practice Trap-Neuter-Return and daily care; these caregivers are respected as responsible stewards contributing to humane population control and animal welfare.
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Italy (e.g., Rome): Stray cat colonies at historic sites are legally protected, and those who feed and monitor them are valued for preserving a cherished part of the city's cultural fabric.
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Greece and Cyprus: On islands and in towns abundant with strays, feeding cats is a common, heartfelt act of kindness that's socially embraced as part of everyday life and tourism charm.
