Blog the Change—Help Wanted

Linda rescues Hope.

My favorite animal rescue is A Call 4 Paws, in Jersey City, NJ. We've become friends with the owner, Linda Perez, and her son, Steve, who's studying to be a Veterinarian. Linda also owns some land in Jonestown, PA, which she converted into a Cat Sanctuary. At the beginning of this year, the lady who was taking care of the cats at the sanctuary left. Linda is looking for someone to live at the Sanctuary. This person must be responsible and must love cats since they'll be looking after them; i.e. feeding them, cleaning their boxes and bedding, providing them with love, etc. In return, the person gets free rent and utilities. In short, this is a perfect job for an artist, writer, retiree, or someone who loves cats and wants to make a difference.

Let me give you some background on A Call 4 Paws and their Cat Sanctuary from an article I did back in 2011. Unfortunately, Linda's is too busy saving the lives of animals who have been abandoned or abused to be innerviewed at this time. You can see some of their adoptable pets at PetFinder.com.

Can you find me in the picture? Reporting is hard work.

This is Stunning Keisha, your Roman reporter, coming to you from the A Call 4 Paws Cat Sanctuary in Jonestown, Pennsylvania. I'm here to find out just how hard life could be for these 60 or so feral kittehs that were taken off the mean streets of Jersey City, NJ, by Linda Perez and her staff, who also do TNR. These kind animal lovers drive through the city with a car full of cat and dog noms looking for strays. Once apprehended, they are taken to Bayonne Veterinary Medical Building where they're spayed or neutered and given a thorough exam. The social ones are put into foster homes until they're adopted and the feral ones are sent up the river to this 4-acre community, where they nurse them back to health and try to rehabilitate—er, socialize—them so they can be adopted. This is more luxury hotel than jail.

For those who don't know, I started out as a feral cat from those same mean streets. I wasn't taken to a resort like this. I was shipped to a kill shelter. A rescue then brought me to a no-kill shelter. I was thrown into a cell and never properly socialized. When I was adopted, my peeps couldn't pet me. I would attack at a moment's notice. My peeps think I must've been abused on the street because I still cower when a hand is raised to pet me. This upsets my peeps since they've never tried to hurt me.

Linda has provided us with these exclusive behind-the-scenes photos. As you can see, these cats are treated with tender, loving care. They have a human who lives rent-free at the sanctuary, who's sole job is to take care of the darlings. The cats live in four heated houses. They sleep on bunk beds and cozy cushions. Whoa, this IS band camp!

Crowd into the photo. I'm gonna make you famous!

What I found were happy cats who were glad to tell me their stories. They told of how much they appreciated living in the lap of luxury while still keeping it real. Some are hardened Alleys; others are wishing for furever homes. That little calico on the top bunk on the left wanted to sneak a ride home with me! Many were reluctant to talk about the crimes they had committed back in Jersey City. I did find out what goes on in the bunks, stays in the bunks. Just for the record, I would like to know which [censored] stole my wallet.

What goes on in the bunks stays in the bunks. Really, do these guys look feral?
The one in the wicker bed was adopted after this story ran!

Now comes the messy part: To keep up this level of care and rehabilitation, Linda and her staff need money. She needs funds for the veterinary bills and for the upkeep of the Sanctuary. There are taxes, gas and electric bills and water bills to be paid, as well as the cost of buying food, litter and all the necessities to keep cats happy and healthy. The sanctuary also needs donations of cleaning supplies, paper plates and other housekeeping items. Really, do any of you want to see these cats living on the streets again—panhandling or washing your car's windshield with a dirty rag—just because they may be deemed anti-social? Many of these Alleys will resort to selling nip that isn't organic and robbing delis and Chinese delivery men. That's why the peeps and I have provided over $500 in donations of my slightly used toys, beds, scratching posts, carriers and cat food; plus the peeps old towels, blankets, clothing, etc. Before we throw anything out, we call Linda to see if she could use it. Judging from conditions here, everything gets put to good use.

 If you, or one of your friends, would like to talk with Linda about the job at the Sanctuary, you can e-mail acall4paws@aol.com or give her a call at 201-736-6625.