When Paul and Doreen Eiseman met, they found soul mates in every way, for they shared a concern for animals that runs deeper than most. Doreen has trouble sleeping at night, thinking of all the little kitties shivering out in the cold. They may never know human companionship or the power of a loving caress. For years, kindly Doreen and her husband volunteered for various rescue groups.Together with Zulma Cruz, they eventually started their own rescue group, Queens non-profit Loving Touch. I spoke with the couple as they mark their 22nd marital anniversary and the 10-year anniversary of their groupwww.pedfinder.org/lt about the many rewards, and challenges, of rescuing New York City’s homeless animals.
Q: How many animals have you rescued over the years?
A: I'd have to say about a thousand, no maybe over a thousand. It all started with a sweet little kitten named Hobo that we took in when we first married. Recently, we took in a batch of about 50 cats and kittens, all from the same home. It was a hoarder situation.
Q: What was the most unusual rescue you ever performed?
A: Every lost or abandoned animal has a unique story. Twice, we removed kittens from inside of car engines. One of them, Beanie, only has three legs, she became entangled in the fan belt, and it damaged her so badly. We sponsored the medical bills for her amputation. Cats really are curious and often crawl up inside cars. Besides Beanie, we once got called to remove a giant male Peacock from a yard!
Q: What are the challenges of fund-raising in the 2009 economy?