Yep, not Robin. THIS Batman’s faithful sidekick is his sister, Dumptruck!
Batman (m, grey, left) and Dumptruck (f, brown, right) are the poster kits for a clan of 15.
In the wee hours of the morning, on October 16th, two people drove their car to the beach in Edgewater, Chicago… and dumped at least 15 cats. If your head just throbbed with rage for a second, you’re not alone. And we’re gonna make it happen again. Sorry.
A witness notified a member of a neighborhood Facebook group and shared their story and the photos they took. They’d seen the cats crying and trying to get back into the car. (throb) The people drove off. (throb)
At the time, they believed there were six cats. By DAWN, people in the neighborhood were already out there, trying to help.
Two pairs of two were taken in immediately by neighbors. Then the folks of Cat’s Inn got out there and, as trapping began, the count started to grow. A LOT!
9, 11, 12, 15! Wait, maybe 16? A young kitten was reported to us and the Inn, but never found. We’re hopeful that someone just took the little dude in and he’s happily living the la vida de playa.
Our final count: 15. A joint endeavor of Cat’s Inn and Cuddly – they did the legwork, the trapping and the shuffling to find/make space and we did the begging for fosters, background checks and fundraising. It’s been an amazing experience, because the neighborhood reacted so quickly and were so eager to help. They offered food, space in their homes, to keep an eye out for others that hadn’t been caught yet… they saw this feline tribe in need and just ran out to meet that need.
We reached out to various rescues, knowing that the cost was beyond our usual reach. Got a lot of maybes but just one taker, because EVERYONE is full. Two cats were transferred to the awesome Friends of Petraits (they’re named Six and Seven now – go adopt them!) and the remaining 13 fell under our joint care. With the Inn doing the housing, feeding and running to vet while Cuddly does the fundraising, begging and communicating with foster applicants.
If you would like to know that more of this type of work is being done, please consider donating, fostering or adopting. Or all three! lol If you put Beach Cats in the note or memo of your donation, the funds will be split between Cuddly and the Inn, to help cover the remaining costs of these two and 11 of their family members. And, of course, to get prepared for the next emergency. You can give on GiveButter or via Zelle to CuddlyDoRight@gmail.com. And, if you’d like to make an in-person in-kind donation of supplies, please reach out to arrange that.
Now, back to our clawed crusaders!
These two were among the first four to be scooped up, even before Cuddly or the Inn knew there was a situation. Wonderful neighbors got them inside, much to the delight <eyeroll> of their resident cats, and ran them to their own vet. They connected with us soon after.
Their fosters are great people, who’ve fallen a little bit in love with these cats who, they told us early on, they were NOT going to get attached to. 🤣 Silly humans.
When they contacted us recently, to inquire about adoption, we were soooo sure. But we got a curveball.
We all need a happy ending, don’t we? Well, Batman and Dumptruck are getting theirs! In an unusual, unexpected turn of events, we have ourselves a FIFO (first in, first out) that we hope begins a wave.
The curveball? Batman and Dumptruck are moving out of state, to someone known to the people who saved their lives. That’s amazing! We hope they stay in touch, so we can watch their happy lives in their new home, with their very own forever family, unfold.
If you’re interested in adopting or fostering any member of this lovely, large, abandoned family, you can see them at cuddlydoright.com/adoptfoster They are: Lily and Luna Ardmore, Pretzel Ardmore and Bagel Ardmore, Cara and Simon, Levi Ardmore, Aerial Ardmore, Tootsie Ardmore, Ranger Rick Ardmore and Amelia.
All have been spayed or neutered, are up to date on their vaccines and SNAP tested. Their trauma is receding and that space is being filled with love and care. There is more than enough room for you to add yours!
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