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Injury can't stop sweet kitty's purr

by Lisa Colangelo, New York Daily News

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Bella is a sweet little kitten with a big problem.

Someone wrapped a rubber band around her rear right leg and left it there.

Now doctors are trying to see if they can save the 3-month-old black tiger cat's leg or be forced to amputate it.

"The rubber band was so tight her leg was swollen, [the rubber band] was embedded," said Richard Gentles, director of operations for Animal Care and Control. "But even with all that, she was purring" when the animal control officer picked her up.

Animal care received a call last week to come to 1510 Jesup Ave. in the Bronx and found Bella outside.

"She's really super cute," Gentles said.

The story is all too familiar to Jane Hoffman of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.

"People put cats on the street thinking they are wild animals and they can survive," said Hoffman, who helps overwhelmed city shelters place animals with rescue groups.

Unlike private rescue groups, Animal Care and Control is under city contract to handle all stray and unwanted animals in the five boroughs. Its cages are full to the brim.

Gentles estimates about 2,500 cats will come into AC&C shelters in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island in June, jumping to 3,000 a month in July and August.

"We really need to slow down the birth rate," said Hoffman. "People need to think about spaying and neutering their cats."

The AC&C is hoping pet lovers will stop by and adopt a cat or two from its shelters.

Starting this week, the organization is offering a special deal for people who adopt two cats. The cost is $30 and includes vaccinations, spaying or neutering and one free vet visit.

For information, call (212) 788- 4000, or check AC&C's Web site at www.nycacc.org.

Copyright © 2006 Daily News, L.P.