KATZ! “One Human’s Trash is Another’s Treasure”
The mural is located a few blocks from where KATZ! was abandoned. She crouches in the leaves, with insects and other plant life, peering out of the foliage with her glowing eyes, watching over her brother and all animals without homes or missing their families.
KATZ!’s Story:
On a crisp winter day in Chinatown, hours before a blizzard shut down the city for several days, a white van pulled up onto the sidewalk and threw open its side door, out of which was tossed a striped cat that hit the ground running, disappearing down the street never to be seen again. Another cat, the sister of the first, was set on the ground, this one fear stricken, not able to move at all.
The terrified cat was picked up by a concerned passerby. Later that evening, she was introduced to her eventual adopter. Fortunately, her state of terror was temporary and had abated by this point. It is not known what happened to her brother, who ran away from the scene.
The adopter, wondering why anyone would abandon such a good cat, took in KATZ! for what was intended to be a temporary period of time. She was adorable, with perfect ears and no apparent behavioral issues. Her temporary custodian grew very fond of her.
The mystery of KATZ! was revealed a few weeks later at the vet’s office, where an identification chip implant was discovered. Upon contacting the owner associated with the chip, the story of her abandonment came to be known. KATZ!’s owner told this story: “I came home one day and found the entire contents of my house gone, my children gone, my wife gone, my pets gone, and my car missing. In less than 8 hours there was absolutely nothing left of my family.”
Since October 2011, KATZ! has raised funds for homeless animals and children through the sale of her prints at charity art auctions held by organizations such as the SPCA and National Adoption Center. Screen printed fabric KATZ! dolls have also been created and given to those in need of a bit of a pick-me-up: children in the hospital; terminally ill or elderly in hospice care; special needs individuals with therapeutic mediations; and single persons needing companionship but who are not permitted to have pets. Her story has comforted hundreds of people.
Unfortunately, the mural was defaced in 2017 and was painted out shortly thereafter.
Location Note: Mural no longer on view at this location.