RALLYING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF NYC’S ANIMALS THROUGH TEAMWORK AND COMPASSION, ONE ANIMAL AT A TIME

Sonia’s Story: How some of New York’s Finest and a network of animal lovers and veterinarians went above the call of duty to save the life of one lucky cat.

New York, NY – New York Police Detective Steven Litwin never expected he’d fall for an old, sick cat while making an arrest. With the cat’s only guardian facing a long prison sentence and eviction at his apartment, The NYPD’s Detective Litwin knew the pitiful cat he’d discovered there had nowhere to go and no one returning for her.

“There was no way I could just walk away from an innocent little cat who was an unfortunate victim of someone else’s lack of judgment. My job is to protect New Yorkers, all New Yorkers, so that’s exactly what I did.” NYPD Detective Steven Litwin

The detective knew the cat’s age and obviously poor medical condition meant she would likely face euthanasia if taken to a city shelter. Detective Litwin arranged for the cat named Sonia to stay in the empty apartment until he could find a place for her to live. He and his partners promised the building’s owner they would visit daily to feed and care for Sonia on their own time. But knowing Sonia could not stay in the abandoned apartment forever, Detective Litwin contacted the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, who agreed to take the old cat in. The only problem was, they had no room for Sonia right away. Despite being allergic to cats, Detective Litwin agreed to foster Sonia in his own home until space became available. The Mayor’s Alliance eventually arranged for Sonia to see veterinarian Dan Lauridia at Murray Hill Animal Hospital in Manhattan where, after examining Sonia, it was determined she was almost completely blind and would need to be referred to see a specialty Ophthalmologist at NYC Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center for further treatment.

“When I first saw Sonia, I could not believe the condition she was in. I could tell by examining her she was practically blind in both eyes and that her left eye had to be removed immediately. She was suffering and probably had been for some time.” Dr. Vanessa Kuonen, Ophthalmologist at NYC Veterinary Specialists

Ophthalmologist Dr. Vanessa Kuonen successfully removed Sonia’s left eye, which had been overtaken by a fungal disease. She was later spayed and returned to Murray Hill Animal Hospital where she underwent the final phase of her rehabilitation. After receiving the dental care and microchipping she desperately needed, Sonia will soon be ready for adoption.

Sonia’s story is only one example of what the unique partnership between NYC Veterinary Specialists and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals is doing to save the lives of animals in need every day.

“As a result of the critical care the Mayor’s Alliance animals receive every week at NYC Veterinary Specialists, hundreds of animals have been successfully treated and moved toward being adopted into permanent homes. Without this partnership, this would not have been possible.” Jane Hoffman, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals

For more information about Sonia, NYC Veterinary Specialists, the Mayor’s Animal Alliance or to set-up an interview with any of the people and Veterinarians mentioned above, please contact: Julie Robbins, (646) 981-3342 Julie@fetchingcommunications.com

Opened in the fall, 2006, NYC Veterinary Specialists was founded with the concept of providing a superior level of patient and client care through close cooperation with the family practitioner. In addition to referral appointments, the hospital is open 24 hours a day for case transfers by the family practitioner and after-hours emergencies. NYC Veterinary Specialists serves as an extension of the general practice. Their specialized services include Behavior, Cardiology, Critical Care, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Oncology/Radiation, Ophthalmology, Radiology and Surgery.

NYC Veterinary Specialists is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is located in Manhattan at 410 W. 55th St. between 9th and 10th Avenues, across the street from the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. For further information, please visit www.nyc-vs.com

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NYC Veterinary Specialists
410 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
United States