For the friends of the Independent Cat Society, a no-kill cat shelter
Summer 2017 #154
Celebrating 40 Years! It is difficult to capture 40 whole years of history in just one short article. But it’s true – ICS has been helping cats in the Northwest Indiana community for over 40 years now. It’s been a long road, full of great successes, and challenges, too. In all started late in 1976, when several cat lovers in Beverly Shores, Indiana, met to discuss the possibility of opening a no-kill cat shelter in their area. This is where the mission of ICS was developed, with a dedication to ensure that our felines were well cared-for, for as long as they needed to be with us, and that they were adopted to good homes. So, in March 1977, the Independent Cat Society, Inc. was chartered in the state of Indiana. Why the name “Independent Cat Society?” It was chosen to show that the organization was not affiliated with any other humane society, animal shelter, or cat organization.
Happy adopters ready to take their new friends to their forever homes, in our current Westville location.
The shelter’s humble start was in Michigan City, in leased space in the old streetcar barn, not far from the center of the city. It housed approximately 35 cats. Four Michigan City veterinarians and a Porter veterinarian agreed to participate in the spay/neuter program and the general medical care of the cats. The shelter operated smoothly with all volunteer help and was kept open with intensive fundraising, growing membership dues and donations. Unfortunately, on a Saturday afternoon in June 1979, a fire started in one section of the building. All but two of the cats were rescued from of the smokefilled building, and ICS had to find a new home. For a short time, the cats found safety in an old motel outside of Michigan City, and later in the top floor of the old Pullman Building near downtown. Volunteers worked hard to make these spaces as wonderful as possible for the cats; however, the Pullman Building was not a permanent location, as the property would soon be sold for development. Thus, in 1983, a building fund was started so that ICS could eventually purchase property and build a proper shelter. After one more temporary and difficult move, to a building Pines where neighbors preferred not to have an animal shelter in close proximity, a generous offer was made to ICS by Arbor View Animal Hospital in Valparaiso for the use of part of a building located behind the clinic. This location served as a temporary shelter as the search went on for more permanent quarters. Finally, in 1989, the property on which the shelter now stands was found. After initial construction, the cats were moved in during the spring of 1991. A two-car garage in good condition was remodeled
and became the “Paws Awhile” Gift Shop. A drive was held, Building Fund II, for a much-needed Isolation Building which would house kittens, newly arrived cats and an office. A lot has changed since 1991, of course, but our commitment to our cats has not. Our staff and volunteers work hard each day to provide the best quality of care for the cats, and to find them caring forever homes. Many new programs and services have been added to keep this vision alive, including our Assisted Spay/Neuter program, Sponsor-a-Cat, Foster Care, and many others. As part of our ongoing mission to reduce the number of unwanted, homeless animals in Northwest Indiana, all ICS cats are spayed or neutered before they are offered for adoption. ICS is also part of the Best Friends No More Homeless Pets Network, and partners with other organizations around the region regularly. In 2005, an Endowment Fund through the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County was established to build a permanent fund and assure a predictable source of income. In addition, ICS has been able to secure various grants to support our goals. We also continue the Building Fund, which now gathers funds for building additions to improve the living conditions of our cats. Our founders persevered in the face of adversity, and guided ICS to a safe haven. Today, we are leaders in Northwest Indiana in rescue, spay/neuter, and humane education. We are proud of what we have accomplished in 40 years, and we hope you will join us for the next leg of our journey!
Upcoming Events, Tributes, and much more inside!