In the final week of the mayoral campaign, Curtis Sliwa is courting Republicans, Democrats and animal lovers.
His dedication to animal welfare is personal. Mr. Sliwa has given numerous media tours to introduce New Yorkers to the 16 cats living inside his 320-square-foot studio apartment.
His feline collection began six years ago when he moved in with his fourth wife, Nancy Sliwa, in her apartment near Central Park. They took in rescue cats that were sick or abandoned.
Now Mr. Sliwa is making animal welfare a central part of his campaign. He released a “13-Point Animal Welfare Plan” last week that includes creating a “no-kill” shelter system and ending the horse carriage industry.
His first television ad featured him holding one of his cats, Tuna, and promising “compassionate solutions” as mayor.
During a reporter’s visit to his home over the summer, the cats climbed onto the dining table, walked across a photographer’s lap and gathered in a front window to watch pigeons. The apartment did not smell bad.
“You change the litter three times a day,” Mr. Sliwa said.
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
