Meet Cat Caretaker & Guerilla Gardener Barbara Rosen
Barbara Rosen grew up in Queens, and after finishing college in 1967, settled in Ditmas Park because of its small town feel and proximity to Prospect Park. “And of course there were small matters like being able to afford the rent,” she says, “and being close to a subway line, since I don’t drive.”
Some combination of those small matters and her intuitive attraction to the neighborhood have kept her here for over four decades, where she rescues animals–at this point, mostly cats–and turns neglected lots into lush gardens.
“I have always had a strong bond with animals and have always felt impelled to rescue things,” she says, “animals, plants, cast-off furniture, the kids I taught.” In the past, she’s taken in dogs, rabbits, and birds, too, but hasn’t come across any dogs as of late.
“Some cats I find,” she says. “Some are found by other people. Some are the victims of divorce or allergies in the home. I tell people that adopting a pet is like getting married: It’s for the long haul and they should make sure they’re getting the right match.”
Cats in her care right now include Rasta, an unwanted gift, Angel, who was left behind when her adoptive owner moved to a senior home, and Cuddles, who Barbara believes was abandoned outside. She describes a typical day at the shelter.
“I hit the floor running and it takes almost two hours before everybody is fed and watered, any needed medications are dispensed, the boxes are scooped or changed and all the cages and floors have been washed,” she says. “Later in the day, I revisit the boxes and do whatever other cleaning is needed.”
But that’s only a typical day. On top of that, Barbara says, “Sometimes there are trips to the vet or adoption appointments–or people bringing animals for me to take.”
Barbara offers tips on her website for current cat owners on how to safely rehome their pets if necessary, since she simply can’t take in every unwanted cat.
“One important thing that people can do is get involved in Trap/Neuter/Release. I often subsidize this work,” she says. “If people will borrow a trap from me and use my own vet, I’ll cover the cost. But they have to do all the work of trapping, carrying, holding overnight and continuing to maintain the colony afterwards by providing food and water. Most people won’t.
“Here’s my rule,” she says. “If you see something and think, ‘Somebody should be doing something about that,’ remember that you are somebody.”
As with her offer to help others with TNR, Barbara is up front about what she can and can’t do for folks trying to find a place for their cats. She invites people to contact her with issues, and is sometimes able to take a cat herself–but more often than not, the rate of adoptions is just too slow. Though she opens herself up to communication with current cat owners, what she’s looking for most right now are potential adopters.
Even outside of the feline responsibility, though, Barbara keeps busy. “I am an invasive weed,” she says about hobbies besides looking after animals at the shelter. “When I see land that’s being neglected I move in and begin taking care of it. Right now, I have the strip of land in front of my building, a container garden in the back, a big traffic circle where Coney Island Avenue ends, and the Brooklyn Bowling Green in my care.”
She’s also a member of the Renaissance Street Singers. She says they’re “an odd collection of individuals who perform sacred Renaissance music all over the city for anyone who cares to listen.
“Sometimes I perform at musicales,” she adds, “getting a chance to use my vocal training as a soloist. Sometimes the music performed is one of my own compositions.
“And I visit and am visited by my friends,” she says. “I have a great deal of fun.”
Know a neighbor we should profile–someone who’s helping others in the community, maybe? Let us know at editor@ditmasparkcorner.com.
Photo via Barbara the Cat Lady