While Pat Ladew was alive, she provided this house in Oyster Bay to serve as a sanctuary for homeless cats. Upon her death in 2002, Pat's estate established the Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc. to ensure that the sanctuary would be funded and sustained for years to come. The sanctuary was renovated in 2012, adding a much needed clinic. Most recently, in 2021, the shelter underwent a “retrovation” adding sustainable cat furniture, designed by built by Square Paws in partnership with Gerwald Construction.
Take a walk-through of the before and after remodel of the Ladew Cat Sanctuary, with the before conditions on the left and the after conditions on the right. See how Square Paws transformed this cat shelter into a retro home for cats! >>
The house in Oyster Bay is a closed–admission sanctuary for homeless cats that are rescued primarily from municipal shelters in Long Island and New York City. It features outdoor enclosed runs and offers a home–like atmosphere where the cats live uncaged (unless illness necessitates temporary caging). Caretakers live on the premises to provide daily care for the cats. Our on-site staff veterinarian checks each cat on a regular basis and provides any medical treatment necessary. All cats are vaccinated, tested for FELV/FIV, sterilized and microchipped. New cats are quarantined for 30 days prior to introduction to the resident cats. Due to our small size, we are unable to accept cats from the public.
THE LIVING ROOM
In the newly designed living room, Square Paws envisioned the house to be a “living museum,” not unlike the nearby Sagamore Hill but alive with cats as the “homeowners,” yet frozen in a 1960’s/1970’s moment in time. In Square Paw’s fictional scenario, the papa-cat is an Oyster Bay fisherman and therefore the living room has a fisherman theme. The indoor catwalk has been extended to cover 150 linear feet for the cats to explore the house from above.
The cats can climb up to the upper run through the working grandfather clock, on the fish mantle, on the bookcase, up the lamp or near their catio. If they would just rather watch a movie, Apple TV is screening live all day long for their enjoyment.
THE KITCHEN
The kitchen features a dining room table, where all cats are welcome and everyone has a seat at the table. The oven always has fish cooking in it (the fresh catch of the day!). The refrigerator, named Florence, pays homage to a kitty that lived at the house when Pat Ladew first purchased it. See Pat Ladew explain it herself in this video of the making of the refrigerator by Square Paws.
If the cats wish, they can also go outside to their Catio, a playground built just for cats. Our cats have year-round access to fresh air and the ability to explore high cat walks for safe bird watching. They can also be tantalized by a butterfly garden, cross rope bridges, relax on a swing, chase leaves and/or sunbathe to the soothing sounds of wind chimes.
ADOPTION ROOM ONE
After cats and kittens are medically cleared of infectious diseases, they go to one of two adoption rooms. Room One is where we usually keep young cats or kittens. The cages are spacious with separate areas for litter boxes. The room is cozy, but private and allows potential adopters time to bond with their new pet. One cage can be made larger by removing partitions to make room for larger litters and their moms.
The Recreation Room (Rec Room)
The cats in the recreation room have their own catio. Weather permitting, they can enjoy some fresh air and shenanigans.
The rec room is modeled after a 1970’s style basement where the “pawties” happened. It’s a cozy room for the cats to wait for their potential new families to come. The room features TV where they can watch their favorite programs, as well as their own catio to enjoy some fresh air.
PAT'S CATS ROOM
Pat's Cats Room is named after the founder of the Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc. It features a replica of the house that Pat Ladew purchased in 1975 as well as a tribute wall to Pat. Watch the video below to see Pat Ladew herself in an interview in 1975.
The cats in Pat’s room also have their own patio, called The Rustic Run.
The Rustic Run features bamboo bridges, logs and tree branches to climb on, not to mention a zen-like area complete with a fountain.
QUARANTINE
Upon entry, Cats are put into the Quarantine Room until they can be examined and cleared of communicable disease.
FRICK, FRACK AND FRODO'S HOUSE
Our contractor built this outdoor shelter for the three feral cats that live in our yard: Frick, Frack and Frodo. Frack is pictured above with holiday decorations in place. These cats have lived on the block for years and were cared for by neighbors until they had to move. The very responsible neighbors made arrangements for us to care for them. Their house has heated mats inside for the winter and removable plexiglass to take advantage of the summer breeze.
THE CLINIC
The on-site clinic provides the cats living in the sanctuary with both routine and emergency medical and dental care. Cats are spayed and neutered and treated on site for most medical conditions. Cats are cared for by staff veterinarian, Dr. Susan Whittred, Licensed Veterinary Technician, Tim Frazer-Talan, staff and volunteers.
If you would like to visit the sanctuary, please call us at 516-922-CATS (2287) and we would be happy to arrange a tour. The video below was created prior to the “retrovation.”