After Jasper Florack’s last foster cat was adopted, he took in a thirteenth, an older black female cat named Magenta.

“That she’s no. 13 and a black cat is kind of funny, even though I’m not a believer in those folkloric myths,” says Jasper, who has fostered cats for the ASPCA in New York City for four years. “And she proved them wrong anyhow. She is super sweet and loves people.”

Magenta’s friendly and trusting personality is surprising considering her known history.

She was found on May 11, 2023, in a stairwell of a Bronx apartment building, with two unknown trauma injuries on her back that were in various stages of scabbing and healing.

“It’s unclear if the injuries were accidental or intentional,” says Dr. Karla Kovach, Medical Supervisor at the ASPCA Animal Recover Center (ARC) and part of the medical team that managed Magenta’s treatment after she arrived at the ASPCA. “But from the first minute, she was lovely and tolerated all exams. She’s always been sweet and attention-seeking.”

Even the woman who found Magenta said she was able to coax her easily into a carrier. She took Magenta to Animal Care Centers of NYC, where she was admitted as a stray. Days later, she was transferred into our care, where behavior experts confirmed her sweet personality.

“Magenta is extremely social,” says Ayleen Cruz, Feline Behavior Specialist. “She would rub on her kennel door for attention and was always soliciting petting by head-butting our hands.”

“Her chest x-rays had an abnormal, opaque lung pattern that can be associated with pneumonia, lungworm, asthma and other causes of bronchitis,” says Dr. Kovach. “To be safe, we treated for pneumonia and lungworm, a parasite not super common in our area. Repeat X-rays showed a more overt abnormal lung pattern that is associated with underlying airway issues like asthma or chronic bronchitis. These are inherently inflammatory conditions, so she was treated with a steroid to combat the inflammation. Magenta was also suffering from what we suspected to be an inflammatory bowel condition, so the steroids were pulling double duty.”

Magenta underwent dental surgery and recovered well. On July 15, she went home with Jasper, who has experience medicating cats and ably administered both oral and inhaled medications.

“Her asthma and gastrointestinal issues have improved with medication,” says Jasper, adding that he tapered Magenta off steroids but still applies the inhaler twice daily. “She wants nothing more than to curl up in your lap.”

“I usually keep my fosters until they’re adopted or I try to find them homes,” says Jasper, who now works in the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH) as a billing operations analyst. “Of course, I enjoyed having Magenta in my home. Mostly, I realized that she had grown comfortable with me and that it could be stressful for her to adapt to a new environment and get used to a new person administering her inhaler. Since I know that it can be difficult to place senior cats with medical needs, I decided to give her a stable and cozy home with us.”

Jasper, who moved to New York City from Germany for graduate school at New York University, always wanted to be a foster caregiver.

“I started fostering because we were in a situation where we wanted cats but couldn’t own any,” he says. “I like the idea of fostering cats who would otherwise spend a long time in the shelter. In a home, they can show off their personalities. And, I have a soft spot for older cats. They give me a strong sense of achievement and purpose.”

Though Magenta was shy in the beginning, Jasper says she is outgoing, gets along with Snuffles and loves people.

“Shy cats are rewarding,” he says. “As they start opening up, those moments become meaningful. They’re choosing to trust you.”

Snuffles, left, and Magenta.

“When she meets someone new, she rubs up on them,” he says. “She’s super nice, calm and cuddly.”

In contrast to the negative myths that surround black cats in some parts of the globe, Jasper says Magenta is a positive influence.

“She has been such a blessing,” he says. “She brings lots of joy into my life every day.”