Megusta
2 years ago, the winter in North America was particularly harsh. It arrived early, vanished for a short while, and then reappeared with a vengeance. In February, Nathaniel Styer was working from home when he peeked out his window to see a blizzard wreaking havoc with high winds and heavy snowfall. The polar vortex had triggered the violent storm, dubbed a “snow squall,” which had begun to blanket his Brooklyn neighborhood in chaotic white.
Nathaniel felt grateful to be warm, no matter how comfy he felt in his apartment, minding his own thing and keeping busy despite the pounding storm outside. Apart from the hefty, white flurries swirling around, Nathaniel couldn’t help but notice something else…
A neighborhood guest from the area sat in his window, unsure of the streets she had grown accustomed to.
More info: Instagram (h/t: pupperish)
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Nathaniel recognized the cat as a member of a nearby stray cat colony named Chunk Chunk. The tabby cat had hopped onto the ledge of his window and appeared to be begging to be let in. In fact, in an interview, Styer said, “she was 100% asking to be let in.”
Styer knew the cat, and believed she was experiencing a moment of crisis, saying:
“I’ve never seen her react this way before. It was clear that she didn’t know what to do in the storm.”
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Styer said that he wasn’t always a fan of the neighborhood’s stray cats… but his girlfriend, Renee Becerra, was a huge admirer. She devotes her time to the colony as a whole, attempting to keep all of the cats in good health! Chunk Chunk was a newcomer to the colony, having arrived around Fall. This could have contributed to her incapacity to deal with the harsh weather. Styer said:
“I’d never brought the cats inside before, but I knew Renee would appreciate my help with Chunk Chunk. I love Renee, and I knew it was the right thing to do to help Chunk Chunk.”
As a result, Styer flung open the window to bring Chunk Chunk in from the freezing cold. After the last shy cat was secure and warm, it appeared… well, she didn’t know what to do!
“She let me pick her up, which is unusual for one of our neighborhood cats. She rushed around the house and tried to escape via another window as soon as I put her down. When she ran into it, she discovered it was closed.”
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Nathaniel decided to put Chunk Chunk in the bathroom, away from the family dog. She eventually found a place to call home. When Becerra arrived home, she was in a good mood.
What about her? The identity of their new house guest did not surprise her!
“She’s been one of the friendliest community cats I’ve ever met since the first time she appeared at our window. She’s always asking for pets and begins purring almost immediately.”
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The pair only moved into their apartment two years ago, but they’ve spent their entire time living near the stray colony helping stray cats. Rebecca claims that they have assisted in the adoption of multiple litters of kittens.
Becerra aims to trap as many adults as she can in the spring in order to spay/neuter and re-release them, thereby assisting in the control of the stray community.
Chunk Chunk’s clipped ear indicates she has already been spayed!
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Becerra spent the most of the unexpected cold weather in her neighborhood assisting cats, and she encourages others to do the same!
“Winter is the most difficult season [for these cats]. I’ve built three winter shelters and give food on a regular basis. Some cat rescue organizations sell winter shelters, but they’re also very simple to create… I would absolutely recommend putting some out if you have the space or a safe calm area in your neighborhood.”
What about Chunk Chunk, for example? Becerra suggests that a long life indoors is possible:
We’re still thinking out what’s next for Chunk Chunk, but she’ll be living with us in the meanwhile. I’ll be contacting our friends at the ASPCA to see if they can help me find Chunk Chunk a home because she appears to be more suited to living indoors than outside.
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However, after a few months, Chunk Chunk seemed to have found her forever home with Rebecca and Nathaniel.
It’s true that the cat picks you!
