Friday September 18, 2009, 12:31 am
Westchester, N.Y. woman presses search for lost cat in Smithfield

Three to five days a week since early August, Jo Ann Sullivan has taken the long drive from Tarrytown, N.Y. to Lake Valhalla in Smithfield Township looking for Roozy.

Roozy is a 5-year-old cat resembling a Russian blue who has been lost for over a month from 111 Lilac Drive. Sullivan, a member for the past eight years of "Forgotten Felines" animal rescue agency based, ironically, in Valhalla, N.Y. Sullivan adopted Roozy out to a homeowner who had moved to Lake Valhalla but when the homeowner moved to Florida last month, the cat was not properly secured and ran out the door.

Sullivan has been losing sleep over her search, literally speaking. She actually had the cat in her care for a year and half before it finally was adopted. Sullivan's been checking around the neighborhood with a flashlight late at night; the cat usually is up and about between 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m., she said. At times she played a recording of the voice of the homeowner, hoping the cat would respond.

Sullivan did see Roozy one recently.

"She did walk up to me one night and close enough for me to pet her and when I picked her up, she got out of my arms," said Sullivan, who said late this week that she has made about 20 trips back and forth.

Sullivan has shown so much determination that the homeowner at one time put her up in a hotel and at another time let her stay in the house overnight. She has gotten support from Kathleen Slagle of Stroudsburg, a member of the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe, known under the acronym AWSOM, who initially reached out to the Community News about this story and has been handing out fliers.

"The homeowner put an ad in the classified section of the Pocono Record, but didn't put in a photo, so that couldn't help much," said Sullivan.

She asked for the help of the Community News when contacted and we obliged by putting in a picture of the cat. You can see the color version of this photo online at the Pocono Record Web site by going to www.poconorecord.com, clicking on to Features for a drop-down box and then clicking onto EPCN. From there, you can find my column with this photo attached in color.

Sullivan can be reached at 914) 629-9579 or by e-mail at joannsadoptables@yahoo.com.

"I am hopeful," said Sullivan.

But it's hard for anyone to take notice because there are feral cats spotted in the wild pretty regularly around the area so a loose domesticated cat may not get any serious attention by anyone who does not know about Roozy.

What also makes it tough, said Sullivan, is that the neighbors there have seen her trekking around in the woods and complained about it, wary at times that she perhaps may be a burglar.

She also put down a trap with Roozy's favorite food but she said the door of it was tripped, saying it was done by kids in the area. After she re-set the trap, it was stolen.

Sullivan said she expects the cat to be staying in the area around the home where she was staying and appreciates any added diligence by the neighbors. But as time goes by and the temperatures start to drop for the fall season, Sullivan has gotten concerned. And the enormous amount of dedication and her loving heart can go only so far.

"And I just don't have a lot of time with all of the things I have to do," said Sullivan, referring to the commute.

But she said some people have told her they will keep on the lookout and hopes to get a call soon from a kindhearted animal lover with some good news.

Friday September 18, 2009, 3:44 am
Thanks Raffi!

Friday September 18, 2009, 5:47 pm
it is so heartbreaking when a cat gets loose and will not come back. i have had them be gone for serveral weeks before they finally decide to come mellowing at the door. i hope this kitty finally decides to stop roaming and comes home.

good luck finding her. best wishes

Friday September 18, 2009, 5:52 pm
Thanks everyone-I salute this woman for her determination and kind-heartedness...what an incredible thing to do-I hope she succeeds in getting this little cat to come to her and gets her out of that situation.

Friday September 18, 2009, 9:40 pm
Thanks Raffi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday September 19, 2009, 3:51 pm
I pray that Roozy will come home soon.

Saturday September 19, 2009, 5:23 pm
I do hope Roozy finds his way home to her.

Saturday September 19, 2009, 5:26 pm
She should take an animal communicator to the area - to call the kitty. I called a Siamese to his home - he was lost somewhere in Rosebank, Jhb, South Africa. Not easy to do, but can be done by the right person. No, it is not hocus-pocus. Using energy one can open to receive energy from the missing animal and communicate. If this was a paid job I would do it full time. I truly hope someone who can contact her will pass on my advice - she has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Thank you Raffi. Prayers are with this kitty.

Monday September 21, 2009, 10:33 pm
Eureka I'm with you on cat coms they have an ability to lock on to stuff we may not even know about! We are so arrogant maintaining they din't see colours and stuff like that. We seem to accept that most animals have a wider sound frequency hearing and scent sensing ability than us so why should animal coms be hocus pocus? Must be worth a try! They respond to energy healing like Reiki for example maybe any energy practitioners would like to send the kitty a distant healing to know his mum is looking for him and those that are religious should be praying for this kitty,s reunion with his mum!