Nearly everybody who knows Kathleen Henderson knows that she is a cat person. So when Henderson and Phyllis Melito, founders of the Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation (BFCF), take in a dog, you know there has to be a good reason.
“Hennessy, a senior dog, was displaced from her home a few weeks ago because her owner was living in an illegal apartment here in Bayonne,” Henderson said. “Her owner had to move to the YMCA and could not take Hennessy with him.”
So Henderson tried to find the 12-year-old pit bull a home, putting it up originally in a kennel in Staten Island as she looked.
Day by day, the bill mounted until it became clear that the organization founded to help cats could not continue to keep the dog there—since the $2,000 bill could have helped neuter a lot of feral cats.
But the situation grew worse when Hennessy developed medical problems, and the BFCF incurred thousands more in veterinary bills.
“She has a hyperthyroid condition,” Henderson said.
This also developed into some kidney issues, which she and the foundation have paid to have treated.
“She is a sweet dog, very loving,” Henderson said.
The group posted notices on its network and thought they had found a home in a wooded area of Pennsylvania, and even drove all the way out to meet the potential owners.
While Hennessy seemed to get along with the other dogs at that site, one of the dogs there didn’t seem to like Hennessy.
“Instead of seeing if the dog would get used to Hennessy, the owner declined,” Henderson said. “We drove all the way there and back with Hennessy.”
While she still holds out hope that they can find a good home for Hennessy, Henderson’s main concern is defraying the costs, and hopes to raise money through the foundation in donations that will help pay off the vet and kennel bills.
Meanwhile, wearing her blue bandana, Hennessy hangs out at the foundation store, Fur Balls, 161 Avenue A, keeping company with the numerous feral cats and kittens the store keeps in anticipation of adoption.
While Hennessey wanders, she sniffs at the felines, some amazingly beautiful, even exotic cats, none of whom react to the dog’s intrusion. Some kittens have their own medical issues—one is blind in one eye, while another has no eyes at all—and sniffs at a finger pushed through the gap in the cage.
The brown-and-white Hennessy is very curious, approaching each person who comes into the store to get her share of petting. Like many dogs, Hennessey likes being scratched behind the ears and tends to lean into the person doing the petting.
“We would love to find her a home, but we do need help to pay off her expenses,” Henderson said. “Anyone interested in doing either should contact us.”
For more information contact the Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation at PO Box 4111, Bayonne, NJ
07002, twiggycat@aol.com or call (201) 437-3232
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.