Nirvanie Balkaran and her family from Springfield Gardens recently started taking care of cats that showed up in her backyard on Christmas Day. Wanting to get into the Christmas spirit, they generously wanted to feed the kittens some sardines. After receiving “one of the greatest gifts” she could have gotten, Balkaran and her family started buying canned and dry food as well as providing a cemented tarp tent so that the kittens have shelter. The cats are now named Raccoon, Katy, Eddie, and Momma. 

“We started buying canned cat food and found out that it was very expensive. So then we bought three big bags of dry food for them and fed them twice a day because they usually wander off in the middle of the day.”

Balkaran is one of many Queens residents who care for the legions of feral cats in the borough. Her story is a great example of how cats appreciate a routine and trustworthy spot to get their food. This is crucial because many stray or feral cats lack proper nutrition, but it’s incredibly beneficial to their lives when they are provided food curated for their bodies. Cats are bound to appreciate any hospitality given to them in outdoor conditions. 

Cats have evolved to being the purrfect domestic companions. They are relatively low maintenance pets compared to dogs, but will “meow” constantly for food like it’s their first and only meal.

But there are so many cats with very different personalities and special needs. Without the help from us, some cats are unable to take care of themselves. With a reported estimate of over 500,000 cats roaming around the streets of New York City, attending to every homeless cat poses a nearly impossible challenge. On top of the growing population of cats, there are a limited number of rescue organizations in Queens. Community cats walking around the neighborhood is pretty common. 

So where and how do you start with helping community cats from home?

Malesa Jacob, from Jamaica, Queens, has been taking care of community cats since she met Henry in her neighborhood in November of 2021. Over the summer she spotted two cats in her neighborhood and immediately bought and left a can of food outside. Now, she takes care of Henry and Floppy (who showed up in March 2022). They are always waiting at her door every morning.

Jacob expressed her early challenges when taking care of them. “In the beginning I used to be cut up, oh my goodness. My hands would be bleeding, they would scratch my back, scratch my chest, ‘cause they weren’t used to me picking them up.” Her challenges with Henry and Floppy progressively started to get easier. “Now, they play without their nails. I could hold Floppy’s hand, shake it around, and he won’t care.”

Cats have their own quirks. Henry used to have trust issues with Jacob. Today, Henry likes to sit on her lap and Floppy loves to hold a conversation. Henry and Floppy took their time before they confided with Jacob, and in return, patience paid off.

Jacob learned how to get around Floppy’s pickiness. 

“Floppy doesn’t drink water from a bowl. I have to get those little bathroom cups, fill it up in front of him, and then he would drink from it. If I put water on the floor, he will not drink it. He will look at it and walk away.” 

Henry and Floppy are the only two cats that are comfortable enough to come inside her home. But Jacob still leaves food out that she buys from Chewy for other community cats.

“Everyone should get a cat. They’re the cutest thing in the world.”

Jacob and Balkaran demonstrate the beautiful rewards from taking care of community cats: the reward that they are saving a cat’s life. All of their cats can safely rely on them for food and shelter. 

Responsibly taking care of community cats to the best of your ability provides them a better life compared to fending for themselves with little to no food, water, or human socialization. Learning about their personalities and understanding every cat has their own special needs are challenges that get easier as their bond between them grows stronger.

Balkaran adapted quickly when she learned that the cats did not like sharing food out of the same bowl. Now, she provided four different containers that they eat out of. “They are always so hungry and I especially have a soft spot for Raccoon. I like how independent they are and how they don’t just stick to one place.”