NYC Cats Rescued After Decade in WTC Area Office Building's Boiler Room
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Bob Marley and Ziggy were rescued a little over a month ago from a boiler room in Lower Manhattan, close to the World Trade Center site, where they lived for many years below ground. They have been in the care of Animal Haven NYC since their rescue and are now available for adoption. It goes without saying that the pair deserve to live out their remaining years in the best of circumstances.
Many thanks go to Suzi Anders, whose July 4 and July 11 videos of the boiler room kitties first brought them to our attention last month. Bob Marley was rescued first, with Ziggy being removed from the building some days later.
Animal Haven’s in-house video tells Bob Marley and Ziggy’s story. We see the cats in their dark, unwelcoming environment in the boiler room, and we see them as they are now, after a month of socialization and living above ground.
The cats inhabited the boiler room for an estimated 10 years, being cared for by building employees; then their lives changed when a new employee contacted Animal Haven and they were removed. The boiler room footage indicates that the cats lived a less than ideal life. They are, understandably, closely bonded and the shelter hopes to rehome them together.
Animal Haven introduces the video as such:
We are Bob Marley and Ziggy and up until about a month ago, we lived our whole lives in the boiler room of an office building down by the World Trade Center. We were being fed by janitorial staff but that was the extent of our care. When Animal Haven came to get us, our hair was so matted, it looked like dreadlocks. After several attempts at trying to rescue us, the shelter staff was finally able to remove us from the basement and bring us back to the shelter where we have been enjoying the fresh air, and the lack of heat and cockroaches. We are both very sweet and gentle. We would love to be adopted together because we have spent our whole lives side by side and would most likely not do well if separated.
Contact and adoption information is available at Animal Haven’s website.
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Suzi made videos of her visits with the cats on July 4 and 11, as their lives so drastically changed.:
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If these babies are separated, it would be nothing more than a wanton act of cruelty. As Claire stated, separating them should not even be an option. xxx
Hi Sue,
I believe Animal haven is very diligent in finding the right homes for the animals in their care.
Hiya Karen. You are such an angel for taking the time and trouble to reply to my comment. Thank you. Thank you too, for easing my concerns regarding the adoption of those two babies. The thought of them being separated after being together and probably in need of each other, is a thought which has me getting rather vocal about the moral rights of being responsible for the welfare of any creature in our care. xxx
Hi again, Sue,
Please see Suzi’s comment under yours. She is the wonderful shelter volunteer who made the last two videos here on this post, back when the cats were rescued.
I’m a volunteer at AH and been for 4 years. This is a very lovving,sensitive caring shelter that adopts out intelligently with the welfare and best interests of alll the cats and dogs first. As the rescuers and first hand on the scene viewers of the living conditions of these two precious brothers, they would never think to separate them. But as one that loves animals I would have asked the the same as you. It’s one’s like u that care enough who help to raise awareness. Suzi
someone will adopt them…they are lovely fellows….
Hi Karen,
It’s so good to see these two beautiful brothers here on LWC having their story shared. I love these boys so much and with each week I spend time with them, I see them becoming more and more relaxed and cutely ” quirky” sending u my best as always, Suzi
Hi Suzi,
I viewed your videos when you first posted them and am very pleased to see the boys doing well and ready for adoption.
Seeing them in that cellar room, with those mats, makes it seem all the more important that they have the best possible lives from now on.
Please give them little scritches from me. ♥
We can’t wait to take Bob Marley and Ziggy home this Saturday. Thank you, everyone at Animal Haven, for taking care of them. We also thank the angel who alerted AH to rescue the boys!
Hi Sylvian,
I’m so happy at this news! I saw from Suzi’s latest video with the boys that they have done really well becoming socialized and adjusting to life out of that cellar. Thank you for also being their angel, along with Animal Haven and the person who helped to rescue the boys. ♥
OMG!! I just saw your comment here and I am dying to just say hi to you!!! I’m Suzi,the Animal Haven volunteer that put out the vid referred to on “your” boys!! (Below this comment) I absolutely love them so and will never forget first seeing them! I just saw them this morning as a matter of fact
Oh I do hope to hear from you here and as well if you look at You tube(Suzan4b,u will see a few more of their vids) I hope u will answer! I’d love to just say hi!! My best to you and yes,the Angel who alerted the shelter is just that truly and these precious cats couldn’t have ended up in better hands!
Oh and one more thing,if it is all right with you,I would love to post on my You Tube channel that Bob and Ziggy are adopted and will be going home!(I never put down anything personal of course) So many friends follow their story and love updates it would be a joyful closure. So I will wait for your word. HAve a great night. Suzi
Dear Karen,
I am truly going to jump for joy! I just found out a few hours ago from the AH Shelter about these darling brothers going home and now received the email of a response! I am ecstatic to see the mom and just sent her a reply!! OMG this site is such a wonderful vessel of communication!! Karen isn’t this grand to see them go to a wonderful home? I don’t think I’ve ever laughed and cried so much on one website as I have here on this one! Mg deepest love and gratitude to you for everything you do and for all that you are!
I’m so happy for Bob and Ziggy, and for you and everyone who helped the boys to begin new and better lives. ♥
Am I posting my comments in the right places? They are coming back to my own email box!! Oh no!! Should I repost separately?
Hi Suzi,
Your comments are posting in the right place.
I was thrilled to hear from Sylvian that the boys are going home. I agree, the internet – whether here, YT, Facebook, or elsewhere – is a great way to bring people together and to accomplish big things and small ones.
Hugs, ♥
Suzi,
Yes. Please let everyone know the boys will have a real home.
Thank you for everything you have done for them!
You’ve just made my night!!!
Oh my gosh, congratulations! This is the first I’m seeing this story and then to see this wonderful update from just days ago, how cool!
You will be rewarded tenfold for your kindness.
Hi everyone,
We brought Bob and Ziggy home today. They are adjusting very well. Bob acts like he has been living with us for a long time. He roams around and demands our attention. It took Ziggy a few hours to come out of the carrier. He is adjusting well too. Thanks you for all your help and well wishes.
I saw Ziggy on Face Book at the Shelter!!! I ALMOST FAINTED!! He was just absolutely SMILING IN HIS BED!! As if he had been with you forever!!!! I am so elated. What a happy story!!!!
wonderful!!
Thank you Sylvian. Thank you for saving these two boys from the boilerroom….when I was in NYC in 2007 they had been in the boilerroom for 5 years…!! I do the same thing here in the Western Cape, S.Africa where I live…rescue cats and dogs, foster, and rehome them….bless you Sylvian for adopting these special boys… I hope that Sandy did not cause too much havoc for you, your family, Bob and Ziggy!
Wonderful work Animal Haven….
Maria, Bob and Ziggy are doing very well. They have a Facebook page. Please look up “Bob Marley and Ziggy Kats”. Thank you for the well wishes.