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Your time with Lionel wasn't lost. Your renewed mission aside, his last days and weeks were filled with love and the good life. That you did for him. And he made it possible that you could do it for others.

It's not the length of the life, it's the quality. He went from cold, dirty streets, to love. Watching him rub his cheek on your face was a glimpse of how he loved you.

I'm very emotionally ready for this. Ten minutes later: *ugly crying*

My partner and I adopted a rescue, a sweet little orange boy, and he died of FIP a few months after we got him. My partners, who's a veterinarian, warned me this would be bad and it was. FIP is a terrible disease that you can't do much about without spending thousands of dollars. I realized, after our kitten died, that we gave him a really great life for his last few months. He was safe, well-fed, and loved. His life may have been short, but it impacted me just the same. Never once do I regret our decision to adopt him, nor do I regret the decision to adopt another kitten a few months later. I just can't imagine not have a cat around.

I’ve experienced some loss; I couldn’t really let the emotion out until your warm words struck me. “His life matters. Even though the time is short, he still deserved to enjoy all the comforts and love and family.”

I adopted a very old cat from an abusive family about 10 years ago. The poor cat had spent years locked in damp, dark, grey basement, with little social interaction from her "family". They had given her an unkind name, so I renamed her Chessie. Chessie only lived a little over another year, but in that year I gave her a life time worth of love. And she loved back unlike any cat I ever owned. Her death was very hard on me, but I'm so glad that I gave her the love and comfort she so deserved during the last year of her life.

Lionel died knowing love. He would have died, probably even sooner, in fear and brutality on the streets.

Lionel gave the "I Love you" slow blink when he was still in the cage.

"Yup I'm ready for this" *Ten minutes later*: I was not ready for this 😭😭😭

I think Mani said: ”These are very good people, you never have to be hungry again!” 😭

Once this cat was a nameless. faceless animal, scraping by on the margins. Then you found him, fed him, took him in, healed him and named him Lionel. Though he passed away far too soon, Lionel came to know heaven on earth in the time he was given. God bless you, Flatbush Cats.

I love Mani's little songbird voice 💞 She reached out to Lionel and said "they're good humans, they will be good to you & feed you good foods, They will love you, just give them a chance!" and he said back: "that sounds real nice... i'll give it a try." RIP little boy 💗

I watched the warning, I braced, toughened up, crying uncontrollably, all in that order.

no time spent with family and pets is wasted time. to grief deeply, is to have loved fully.

I’ve seen this several times and cry each time. This little boys life was not in vain. I love your voice, btw.

I don’t normally cry because of videos, but that one got through.

I want you to know that I live in Jersey, but because of your great rescue tips (like hand feeding to help acclimate) I trapped and rescued 6 kittens from the abandoned lot behind my home. (2 diff age litters living together). 2 of the kittens have already found a forever home together and the other four are doing amazing in foster. Thank you so much for your work and everything you do!

It was the best palliative care he could have gotten, I think you did wonderful and Lionel clearly was made very comfortable and was loved.

Love is eternal... And always will be... I am 74 yrs old... And I remember clearly the pets from my childhood... I will always love them...

Hearing the narrator tear up when he talks about Lionel's passing is just... heartbreaking. Yesterday, I lost my little cat, Archie. He was seven months old, and a happy, healthy kitty, until a drunk driver decided to ruin his life. Archie's death is in the middle of destroying me, because he was the last good thing I had in my life. I thought that watching the videos about cat rescue would make it worse, but I'm actually feeling just a tiny bit better than before. There's a street cat who was Archie's best friend, her name is Mochi. She's a really fragile, small cat and less than a year old, but already super pregnant, and her kittens should be coming this month. I will make sure that both Mochi and the kittens survive. Not just for them, but also for Archie. He was the light in my life, and he would want me to find another cat I can help after his death. I love you Archie, I miss you so much already and I'm sorry that you had to die like this. You died too early, my little friend.

Those eye blinks would make me want to socialize him. Some sort of trust already there.

I've lost many cats over the years. Some to age, one or two to the road, some ran away, or just dissapeared. All were heartbreaking, but our London in 2013 was like your Lionel. A stray kitten with broken teeth just showed up one day. Only about 2 months old. We vetted her and adopted her. She had FLV, had treatments but nothing could save her. We had her for only a few weeks but then she was gone. She had love if only for a little while. So we love for London and Lionel, may they RIP. Thank you for your great work .

Ghandi said the moral progress of a country is judged by how they treat their animals. If you hadn't helped Lionel he would have died in some alley alone and in horrible pain. You gave so much to this little one. Thank you for your work

You gave Lionel a home, regular meals, love, companionship, peace and - for a short time - a forever family. Everything you did for that sweet cat was worthwhile. You changed his life and taught him to trust. Nothing is wasted.

This is so sad. I just got a 7 week old kitten off Craig's list. The vet gave Minnie a clean bill of health. It is so rewarding to see her live her best life! She was taken from her mom too early. She sucks her tail. We are doing everything possible to make her happy!

Poor little guy. You gave him the chance to know love before he passed.

You know, I have always loved cats. I've lived with dozens through my life, and I have learned enough from them to sniff out pretenders, those who show a shallow concern, but who will not commit to what it takes. There are lots of Kitten KZfaqrs, but there are too few with your level of commitment to a wondrous species. God bless you for your deep love of those four legged miracles!

Sweet Lionel - we arrive and we depart. Lionel obviously helped set up a wonderful agency for the cats of Flatbush. Bless you Lionel 🙏

His name was Roo. He was flea ridden and full of worms and scrawny, born feral and he was terrified. He was parasite free and filled out and silky and sitting in my lap a few weeks later. I was so happy for him. He slept on my bed for the first time before he went to the vet for his neutering procedure, and he died on the table because his lungs were defective or damaged from a cold he'd already had before I met him and the vet didn't catch it. He was so scared when I packed him in that carrier and took him. I told the vet I was concerned about his breathing. I did everything I knew how to do. I'm still torn up about it. I committed myself to rescuing Roo's older buddy, who was older and even more timid, and who is on the floor at my feet playing right now. We do our best to lessen the suffering in the world, and we make the world a better place.

That warning in the beginning was so respectful and considerate. I really appreciated it. Liam and Lionel were such pritty cats. You made his last month's so nice and comfortable so the hard work was definitely worth it.

I lost my sweet girl to FIP recently and all your videos have been a great source of healing for me. Thank you

I imagine Mani talking to him went something like "hey you're safe here. These people just want to help you"

I'm here in tears. We took in a gorgeous long grey haired baby last Aug, a year to the day today, we named Felix Fizzgig. We lost him after only 8 months a month before his 1st birthday on April 9th to Feline Leukemia. Although devastated, we are happy he was completely loved, adored and worshiped by us for the time we had him. Thank you for sharing. Today has been rough for us and this although sad gives us hope to take in more babies in need. 💔❤

RIP Lionel he will be missed and loved!! He will be watching over you!

Lionel's life was not without purpose. He taught me to step up my game. Thank you Brooklyn Rescuers. Thank you Lionel.

It's weird to go years without crying and then stumble on this channel and cry practically every other video.

I feed a couple of stray cats, and one little kitten I named Pirate died 2 days ago. This video made me happy, because I know that even though that little kitten is gone, it reminded me that he didn't go hungry, and I did love him. Safe travels, little buddy. :')

thank you for sharing this, and for putting a warning at the beginning. I don't think I can watch right now but I'll come back ❤❤❤❤❤

Instead of dying in the streets, you guys made sure Lionel went in the confines of a loving family. That's worth all the effort in the world, to me.

I rescued a cat last year who died five weeks after due to undiagnosed cancer, the grief of the lost opportunity was so heartbreaking... but I was forever grateful for the five weeks I had with him and the opportunity I had to continue taking care of other cats who needed a safe space 💖

I was bracing myself for it but I still cried in the end. You did give him the life he deserved, he looks just genuinly happy after his rescue. Thank you for giving cats like Lionel a chance.

Lionel knew love, the kindness of humans, never went hungry again and got to play with other cats. What you did was everything for him. Because of you he didn’t die alone. Thank you for allowing yourself heartbreak so these precious guys can have a chance.

"Saving one animal won't change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal."

The exact same thing happened to us a little over a year ago. We found a gorgeous, lynx point, blue eyed boy outside our back door. He was about 3 weeks old and we named him Rikki. He was so precious and full of life and our rescued, former tom cat Cena, just loved him. We loved him very much too. Then when he was about 3 months old he came down with FIP and was gone in just a few days. It was so hard to say goodbye, but last October we adopted another little boy who is just as special. Rikki is buried under a beautiful tree in our backyard and is looking out for Cena and our new baby, KittenChow.

You're a good man. My first two cats were both rescues. I had them from when I was 10 years old to 27. It's been lonely in my house since they passed away. I recently found a 3 week old kitten at the construction site I work at and took him home with me. He instantly warmed up to my family and slept in my arms with me by the second night. We got him cleaned up, gave him his shots, and brought his weight up to a healthy level. My little baby, Caliper, is 8 weeks old now and doing extremely well. He and the dog have even become friends. I'm happy I have a furry little friend in my life again, he gives us all a lot of joy.

You gave him a good (may be it was short) and happy life...he left with lot less pain.

Cross the rainbow bridge in peace, Lionel. You had love and comfort at the end. Thank God for that.

I lost a kitten 30 years ago to a fall from a tree. I still think of him all the time. No time is ever wasted when a soul so beautiful is loved.

Lionel received more care, compassion, and love in such a short period of time than most animals or people get in a lifetime. Every life no matter how brief has meaning. Lionel would be so thankful for the care and love you provided him right until the very end. May he Rest In Peace ❤️

We took in a stray kitten a friend found running lose in the streets about three years ago. He was the sweetest, nicest cat you could possibly ask for. He moved right in, made himself at home, was accepted right away by our resident cats and slept with us every night. When he was less than three years old he developed symptoms of what we didn't know was FIP: Weight loss, lethargic behavior, loss of appetite. Three visits to the vet finally pinpointed the problem. We were told the disease was fatal. He died about 2 weeks later on the couch in our living room as we watched him take his last breath. It was one of the worst experiences of my life and is difficult to write about even now. I broke down and cried like a baby when I told my friend what had happened to him. Cats can be tested for FIP as kittens, but it's an expensive test ($140) most people do not have done, or are unaware of. It's something stray cats are born with, but doesn't immediately show signs. The cat can appear to be perfectly healthy for a long time. Luke died on Thursday. Two days later, Saturday, we adopted another cat from the local animal shelter. We have 6 healthy, happy cats, one of which was another stray we took in. A picture of Luke hangs in the living room. Another picture of him is the screensaver on my phone. He's been gone about 2 years. He will always be missed and never forgotten. I'd take him back in a heartbeat if it were possible no matter how many cats we already have. :-( I hope Flatbush Cats subscribers read this story. I'm amazed and so grateful for everything cat lovers do for these animals.

Never stop doing what you do, even how hard they can be, all your rescues deserve a better life with someone who cares about animal welfare.

This is the video where you became the lord of Flatbush to these cats. wonderful story

After my beloved Bigboy passed away at 22, I adopted two shelter kitties Sterling and River. I lost them both to FIP less than a year later. So this video hit me hard. 😿

Mani's meow, according to my cat translator, meant "I love you". I think she was trying to tell him that he was safe and cared for. Mani probably made him think of his own mom, and felt better. 💜 Maybe she recognized his condition. Cats often do. Don't ever think that the time spent on Lionel was lost. The fact that he was able to die warm, loved, and with an amazing mom, was your final gift to him. A wonderful gift. Otherwise he'd have died cold, scared, hungry, and alone.

This just shows that caring for rescue cats isn’t always sunshine and rainbows

Because you promised better life to cats, I will try my best to keep the ads running on your channel.

Rewatching this vid and reminded of how much of your energy, heart, and tears the Flatbush Cats crew puts into each kitty. Thank-you for all you do!

I help care for a colony of kitties here in the outskirts of Houston. I have a special place in my heart for cats with feline leukemia. I have been fighting leukemia myself for several years and it has been hard. Caring for cats has kept me going some days...

R.I.P. little Lionel. You were blessed with 2 perfect homes. 💙💙💙. 😺😺😺

I lost a beautiful adopted grey ragdoll to FIP. Brittany was a rare beauty. It never gets easier.

He was rescued, cared for and loved, even in his final moments. Maybe I'm anthropomorphising the cat, but I'm sure Lionel appreciated all those efforts before passing away. Your work is noble and kind, Flatbush Cats. Thank you for your efforts.

My kitten with fip had to be put down at 9 months. I raised him, bottle fed him, and then I watched him decline. It just happened in April. I had him cremated. It destroyed me.

Thank you so much for sharing Lionel's story. My rescue kitten that I adopted, Bandit!, also passed away from F.I.P several years ago. My time with him was legitimately some of the best of my life and I was devastated when he passed. Much like when my mom was dying from cancer, I was in denial that he would, in time, pass. I was contently taking him to the vet to have the fluid drained from his abdomen and his test results were inconclusive until the near end. So, I let my delusion takeover. I donated his body to F.I.P. research so I'm so glad there's progress with dealing with it. Maybe my guy even helped a little bit with that... I started feeding a homeless cat about a year after Bandit! died but have held him at arms length his whole time because I wasn't ready to feel for another cat again. But with the pandemic and me working from home since March 2020, I've really come to appreciate his company and now he comes inside whenever he wants and has a bed on the my bed with me. He's helped with my depression and with me accepting and opening up now. Love your stories and work....thank you so much for them.

He didn't die outside all alone. You gave him the best life he could've had

I lost my best boy Milo to FIP last year. That sweet baby who would sprint across the house to meet me at the door with a nose touch. He was my a tiny angel is disguise. You’re absolutely right, even short lives matter and they deserve love. To Milo and Lionel, may they go forth shining ✨

Just one look in his eyes and you know how he stole your heart.... Congratulations on no kittens this year and a reduction in that colony. Only pure love and fierce commitment brought that about. Much love and respect.

I was rescued by a gray farm kitten. I spent several years without a cat. I was thrilled to be chosen by Artemis. When I moved out of the farm house, she came with me. I loved my kitty gray kitten. However,she got sick 3 times in six weeks. The vet said she had FIP. I made the decision to put her to sleep. The loss was made worse since I hadn’t lost a kitten before. I am happy to have loved my farm kitten. I adopted litter mates in her honor. I still miss Artemis.

We learn a lot from animals. Lionel would have enjoyed the moment he was loved enough. I do not speak English well. But I want to make it clear that I respect you. In Korea, I met three street cats as a family. They also moved to Paris, France with us. Like you, I will work my entire life for animal ethics. Thank you for being an example. + Where can I buy a Flatbush Cats T-shirt?

As soon as you gave us that warning I said, "please don't tell me he died". I was serious. At least Lionel went out happier than he came in. Thank you for sharing his beautiful memory.

Nothing was lost. You gave him a good life and found him a great home even for a short time. He was a beautiful cat.

I lost a kitten to FIP, it is a truly gut wrenching experience knowing that there's nothing you can do to help. All you can do is appreciate the time you had, and hope for a cure in future so other cats don't suffer the same.

Who's cutting onions here I'm-

Rest in peace, Lionel 😢 Thank you for making his life so much better!

I found a 10-11 week old kitten crying by an office building and apparently motherless. I took him in but he became very ill two days later and died with FLV the same week. The vet had given him pain killer to make his passing easier but I never saw Neo again. What I remember most about him was that he would stick his tongue down my ear to wake me up when he was hungry.

Doesn't mean that he went away that all your work was lost , you made him feel the love and comfort of life

The way i look at it is you provided him with a wonderful life before he passed. He got love that otherwise he never would have gotten to experience! He made the world a way better place!!! Still made me cry haha.

I normally never cry because of a sad video like this because I dont get attached to the cat, but man, this one hit different...

Lionel had a wonderful life, and the once tough street cat got to live his last moments in peace, with his beautiful family. You saved a life there, Flatbush, he was taken so soon, but you gave him a wonderful time, for the life he lived. I'm sorry for your loss man. I hurts to say a pet goodbye. And as someone who owns a cat disguised as a dog, I fear for that day to come. Wishing the best for ya, Flatbush.

It’s amazing how feral cats can learn to love and be loved by humans. ❤️

Sweet, brave Lionel. Thank you for making his final months better, helping his colony, and training others to help more cats.

I’m not sad, I’m happy that you gave him a significantly better, longer path even if the destination was the same.

Just remember, that cat had the best couple months of his life because of you. And that’s the most important thing.

I would just eat them all up! They are so beautiful and Flatbush are heroes. Period. Wow. So sad, yet sweet. Donate everyone. Your money will be sooo well spent. I donate here and locally.

This story reminded me of when I rescued a totally malnourished kitten, he was going to die that day if I hadn't taken him home with me. First days I had to syringe feed him every two hours, he was like a zombie and not even making eye contact. By second day he was looking so much better, he had a new brightness on his eyes and his attitude towards life was improving by the hour. He still had a long way to recover since probably he hadn't eaten in his whole life (he was about 2 months old). He was just skin and bones! We took him to the vet, but unfortunately in India vets are not good, they just hydrated him and barely checked on him. We kept caring for him and giving him all the love we could, but we could only be with him for 10 days. We had already planned a long journey out the country and couldn't take him with us. So we found a nice foster family. The very same night we left him, he passed away. And I always wonder if he felt as if we had abandoned him or maybe it was my fault, because I gave him a new treat that last day, as a goodbye.. and maybe he shouldn't have eaten that.. but I didn't know how delicate he was! I never knew what health issues he had because the vets wouldn't really help (we took him thrice in 10 days). I still dream about him sometimes and wake up crying. His sweet face comes up in my mind and I still feel so sad. I try to tell myself that at least he knew that we loved and cared for him, even if it was for only 10 days. In his short life he could still experience what was to be loved.. I don't know why I'm writing all this in youtube, I rarely comment here.. I guess I needed to share my story also. Watching this video has been very helpful. Thank you 💜

Being from Brooklyn, this hit too close to home. So many strays wandering the streets looking for a meal & a warm place to sleep. I feed the strays in my backyard everyday & provide them with a shelter for winter. I also help capture them so they can get neutered with the help of a group of volunteers that live close. It's tough work but extremely gratifying. Thank you for helping them & for helping little Lionel during his short life. I'm sure he will be waiting for you, if there is such a thing as an afterlife.

"Don't cry because they're gone, smile because they lived in the first place"

I recently had 2 of my beloved cats killed by wild animals (They were 2 and 3 yrs. old). I gave them the very best life I could. They will be missed always. I appreciate that you did the same for beautiful Lionel. Thanks for this video, which evoked both joy and sorrow.

Thanks!

At the end of your life, it's fun to imagine all the cats your helped, come back to you in hospital. For one last pat on the head each.

All cat's deserve a loving home.

Lionel was a good kitty. He lived his best life because you guys were there to give it to him. Rest in peace my friend.

Yes, I’m bawling, but thank you for sharing Lionel’s story. His life definitely mattered and though he lived barely a year, he had a loving, caring home and crossed the bridge surrounded by those who thought the world of him. Doing what you do, in his memory, is the best thing. For all of the Liams out there, there are also the Lionels. Rest well, little buddy.

you probably can't change the whole world by saving one cat, but you did when you changed Lionel point of the world. RIP Lionel

I cried my eyes out for Lionel. I realize it was 2 years ago, but as you said, his life mattered. I’ve been volunteering for nearly 8 years with the non profit cat rescue organization called PawsWatch in Rhode Island. We have some heartbreaking stories but do our best to push forward to continue TNR & TNRM, fostering, adoptions, & any other things that are needed. Please keep up your fantastic work & l hope more individuals will decide to volunteer, helping more homeless cats whether feral, stray, or abandoned. Your valuable contributions are making a difference one cat or kitten at a time. Thank you so much for caring as you do.

Last summer one of my students gave us a black cat from a litter his cat had. She was a beautiful little girl once she got situated and healthy at our home. Her name was Phasma and she was the nicest, most loving cat we've had. Always around my wife and I, always wanting pets, very playful and the best cuddle bug ever. In January of this year we started to notice her being more lethargic and not eating as much. Took her to the vet and she tested positive for FeLV. She passed the very next day. I always wonder if she was happy with us and hopefully she enjoyed her time with us and her sisters. We miss her dearly every day, and this video reminded me how sometimes these beautiful animals are gone from us too soon. Thank you for all the memories Phasma, we love you and will never forget you.

Now THAT was a special cat! Rest in peace, Lionel! ❤🌹😘

Ive seen this video a lot of times. But right around 7:40 i can feel my heart shudder for what's about come. Life is cruel to those that don't deserve it.

You cannot control the length of a life. Only the quality of it.

**YOU HAVE GIVEN SOMETHING SOOO MUCH MORE TO LIONEL!! THAT IS THE LOVE, CARE, HAPPINESS, PEACE, + SAFETY - THAT HE WOULD "NEVER" HAVE KNOWN IN HIS "PRECIOUS" LIFE, MY FRIEND!! **I WILL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN, LIONEL!!