UPPER EAST SIDE — An 11-year-old cat who's been "helping" out at the ASPCA office is looking to retire.
For the past two months, Anderson, a cream and white shorthair, has made its home at the East 92nd Street office, as part of the nonprofit's office foster program.
He's like a lot of us in the workforce — he's got high blood pressure and has a soft spot for sushi, or rather, his favorite toy is a plush with pictures of sushi on it.
"I think of him as my ideal senior ‘kittizen,'" said Jody Salbo, Anderson's human office companion and the ASPCA'sAdoption Center director of business management and operations.
Anderson has had a rough past, according to the ASPCA. He was initially brought to the organization in May 2007, but over the last nine years, he's passed through several homes, only to be sent back each time because his adopters moved or couldn't take care of him. He recently came back in February.
"He’s very versatile and can adapt to new situations with ease," Salbo said.
Anderson is a mush, who doesn't mind Salbo holding and walking around the office with him, she said.
He also loves toys, especially ones that are soft that he can hold onto with his front paws and kick with his back paws like his sushi toy, which must go with him to his forever home.
"He loves it that much," Salbo said. "Anderson is really food motivated as well. I’ve even taught him how to sit for his treats. His curiosity sometimes leads him to try to explore outside my office by slipping past the staff and going to visit everyone on the floor. For this he’s earned a reputation as an escape artist."
The feline's high blood pressure, which developed over the years, is under control with an inexpensive, easily obtained medication that he takes by mouth twice a day, the spokeswoman said.
"I’ve really loved spending time with him and look forward to Anderson greeting me each day," she continued. "I’ll certainly miss him when he’s gone but can’t wait for him to find a stable, loving home.”
This month is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month and the beginning of kitten season.
For more information, on Anderson, call 212-876-7700, ext. 4120.
