Kits, Cats, Kittens: Elizabeth Makes Room for Them All

No doubt that you have heard the age old expression, cats have nine lives. In fact, many cultures promote the notion that cats are invincible and have multiple lives. In Arabic-speaking parts of the world, cats are believed to have six lives. And in Spanish-speaking parts of the world as well as Italy, Greece, and Brazil, people believe that cats have seven lives.

Nine, seven or six we may never agree. But one thing is for sure, Elizabeth Ward dedicates much her time to ensuring that a cat’s current life is just a little bit better.



Over the years she has volunteered much of her time in animal shelters such as Paws Crossed (formerly Pets Alive), a no kill animal rescue in Elmsford. Elizabeth shares that, “Many animals are rescues from the South where people frequently don’t spay or neuter their pets and most shelters have high kill rates.” She goes on to say, “Animals are my passion. I can’t bear seeing these helpless animals not get the love and care they deserve.”



While volunteering, Elizabeth has been captivated by many of the felines and, ultimately after passing a rigorous screening, has brought many home to live with her family.

For starters, there was the ginger, Mickey, a rescue who lived to be 14 years of age and a constant companion. “He seemed to have a blue jean fetish and would climb into anyone’s lap if they were wearing a pair. Naturally, jeans became the family uniform since it ensured Mickey’s attention.”

Then there’s Felix a 10-year old cat with a loud meow who signals when he’s hungry (Apparently, cat’s meows are a way of talking to their human owners. Who knew?) Once he reaches his bowl he demands to be brushed while he eats.

Maya was the Houdini of the bunch. It wasn’t unusual to open a dresser drawer and find her sleeping on a pile of sweaters, or peek in small box and see her securely tucked inside or even look in a bookcase and find her napping on stack of old of National Geographic magazines.

During the pandemic, Elizabeth and her husband Andrew fell in love with Casey, a little cat living in foster care. “We Zoomed with the foster mother – while the cat soundly slept in the background. It was a leap of faith to adopt the cat, but the foster mother rightfully assured them that little Casey was playful and affectionate.

Once while going to CVS to pick up a prescription, Elizabeth noticed a beautiful, long haired white cat sitting in the back seat of parked car. “The cat seemed to call out to me, and I stopped in my tracks.” She tapped on the window with her index finger and the cat followed. The cat initiated a game of tag, batting at Elizabeth’s finger with her little paw from behind the car’s windshield. The cat was so engaging that Elizabeth forgot to go into the pharmacy. Suddenly, a teenager came out of the CVS and asked Elizabeth if she wanted the cat. He explained that the cat belonged to his grandmother who was unable to care for the cat due to her own declining health. The teenager introduced himself as Carlos and went on to say that he had tried to surrender the cat to a Westchester shelter, but was refused because he was a minor. The cat had Elizabeth from the moment they made eye contact. There was no turning back. Before you could say catnip, she agreed to take the cat from Carlos – provided it got along with her other pets.

Elizabeth encourages people to consider visiting a rescue like Paws Crossed or the New Rochelle Humane Society when thinking about adopting a pet. You’ll inevitably wonder “who rescued whom?”

Would you like to feature your pet in the Pet of the Week column? Email us at PetsofDale@gmail.com.