Ravenswood Cats Trapped, Dying In Crawl Spaces

A Ravenswood cat

Remember the troupe of stray cats that pretty much took over the Ravenswood apartment complex in Queens? The New York City Housing Authority wanted them out, but no all residents agreed with the tactics they were going to use—which included sealing up crawl spaces that kittens were trapped in!

Yesterday those locals trying to help, including SaveKitty's President Debi Romano, posted an update alerting everyone that the cats were indeed sealed up, and are now "trapped and dying a horrible death from incredibly hot temperatures in the crawl spaces and lack of food." Turns out the NYCHA (NYC Housing Authority) hired a contractor "who raced through the job, prematurely sealing up the crawl spaces. It was done in such haste that they sealed the buildings in 4 days, instead of the two or more weeks it should have taken."

Romano, who originally was trying to fund a trap, neuter and release program, is still seeking help in breaking through the seals and saving the cats. Today the NY Post reported on the scenario, saying 12 or more could be stuck in the spaces. However, Housing Authority spokeswoman Sheila Stainback told them they checked and found no cats before sealing the area.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on August 24, 2010 5:45 PM

Comments [rss]

FelixtheCat Christine Quinns

Demcowboys once again proves that is as ignorant as mean. The housing authority wants to spend millions killing the cats when savekitty and other groups will spay the cats for free from their own funding. Cats kept the mice and bird population down. There is lots of garbage in that project but hardly any rats.

youngpro

they do not want to 'spend millions' as you falsely claim, and im not sure where you got that hyperinflated number.

Bakey

Debi Romano should get video of the hastily sealed crawlspaces and audio of the cats, if she can. On a slow news day the local stations would go crazy for it.

Brainwash

Buried alive like their Egyptian lolcat forbears.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

lies, the cats are stuck and the housing authority rather spend more money killing cats then trapping and neuter them for free.

Guest

Your "logic" fails every time you put finger to keyboard. It's a shame too. If you put as much energy into learning as you do into make snap judgements, you'd actually be a force to reckon with. As it is, you're an enormous joke. Carry on...

HughGass

How do you neuter a cat for free? I think a rock to the head is a lot cheaper.

blink

Think how much money mommy could have saved if she dumped you in a plastic bag and sealed it with duct tape directly after your birth.

John L

Felix!!!!!

Where are you?

Cannibal

Holy shit!!! CATS are TRAPPED in hot, dangerous crawlspaces where they are DYING!!! Not just one cat... MULTIPLE CATS!!!! Because of actions that selfish evil cat-haters!!!

No comments at all? I can only assume that the animal activist whiners all rushed to the scene of the crime and have been sealed up in crawlspaces as well.