Last month, an Uber driver in the Bronx area had an unexpected passenger. She came across a black and white cat lying in the middle of the road by himself. However, the driver who volunteers for her local animal rescue, Little Wanderers NYC, couldn’t leave without checking on the stray.
To her surprise, the cat jumped on the dashboard and sat behind the steering wheel, ready to be taken off the streets. Little Wanderers NYC shared with Love Meow that “Without a carrier, he went right into her Uber. He was waiting to be rescued.”
The driver was amazed that a cat had just hitchhiked with her, but she was happy to be able to help. She noticed some scars on him, likely from fights, and discharge from his eyes. The cat was very friendly and happily accepted chin scratches from his rescuer. She decided to take him to a vet to be evaluated.
Tux, the cat, was estimated to be around two years old. “Tux is a scruff tomcat with an eye infection and some battle scars to prove his tough life on the street, but he’s in otherwise good shape.” The rescue immediately arranged for a foster home for the sweet cat. In no time, Tux acclimated to indoor life and felt right at home.
They cleaned and treated his eyes, so he could see easier and start healing. They gave him a comfortable cat bed, which he quickly took a liking to. Most of all, Tux just wanted to be around people, vying for their attention and melting into their arms. He was very affectionate and just wanted to be snuggled.
“He is a big eater and even bigger cuddle bug. He is very affectionate and always wants to be close to you for big head scratches”, Dana, Tux’s foster mom, shared. Tux arrived with food insecurity as a result of being a stray. He worried if he would get his next meal and had the tendency to gobble down his food very quickly.
“He is still learning a few nuances of being a house cat around using his litter box and slowing down his eating.” With reassurance from his foster family, Tux is starting to relax at mealtime and enjoy his food. He is grateful to have a roof over his head and people to keep him company.
Tux is over the moon when he is doted on with pets and snuggles. He loves all the soft things he’s given and will curl up snugly in a cat bed when he naps. “He can’t wait to get his forever home, and I can’t wait to help him get there.”
The tuxedo was sitting on the road waiting for the right person to show up. Now, he will never have to worry about food and shelter, and he is ready to find a place of his own.
Little Wanderers NYC is a non-profit organization that focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating New York City’s street cats. They work tirelessly to provide medical services, temporary and permanent foster homes, and to promote adoption.
Caring for stray and feral cats can be overwhelming, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Little Wanderers NYC continues to provide a safe space for these vulnerable animals. They rely solely on donations and volunteers to keep the organization running.
If you’re interested in adopting or fostering a cat, Little Wanderers NYC is always in need of loving homes. You can visit their social media pages on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about their mission and how you can help. Share this story with your friends and family to help spread the word about Tux and the amazing work that Little Wanderers NYC is doing.
