Independent Cat Society Mewsletter, Summer 2019

For the friends of the Independent Cat Society, a no-kill cat shelter

Summer 2019 #162

Kitten-pa-looza!

ICS has had quite the year, and new bundles of furry joy are no exception!

Want to make a difference in the lives of cats and kittens in our community? Then join us in celebrating kittens, promoting adoption, and educating our neighbors on the value of Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) programs, such as the program we run here at the Independent Cat Society. This year alone, our program has provided TNR services for nearly 300 cats! For more information, look inside, and visit us at http://www.catsociety.org.

Upcoming Events, Tributes, and much more inside!

Calendar of Events

September

Published for the friends of the Independent Cat Society, Inc. PO Box 735, Westville, IN 46391 (219) 785-4936 Web: www.catsociety.org Email: shelter@catsociety.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ INCatSociety The Independent Cat Society, Inc., founded in 1977, is a non-profit, no-kill cat shelter on US Rt 6 at the Porter/LaPorte County Line Road in Westville, Indiana.

Our mission is to rescue, shelter, adopt, and promote the spaying and neutering of cats in our Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland community.

Adoption hours: Friday, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Saturday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sunday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Others by appointment.

Please call (219) 785-4936.

About our Adoption Fees Include: Spay/neuter, vet exam, feline leukemia and FIV test; ageappropriate vaccinations; parasite treatment; tattoo ID/microchip; 30 Day No-Cost Pet Insurance; Hills Science Diet coupon; and free postadoption participating vet visit.

Please check our website or shelter for monthly adoption specials!

Board of Directors: President:

Jocelyn Vereb Vice-President:

Paulette Gonzalez Recording Secretary:

Diana Richie Corresponding Secretary:

Kay Vazquez Treasurer:

Natalie Cebulski Board Members:

Diana Foster

Beth Hayden

Lori Hlinsky

Jennifer Stall

September 7 Popcorn Festival 7:00am - 6:30pm Downtown Valparaiso

September 21 Brats and Brews Fundraiser 9:00am - 2:00pm Chesterton Feed and Garden, 400 Locust St, Chesterton

September 27-29 Aunt Kitty’s Trash and Treasure Yard Sale!

9:00am - 3:00pm each day Donations accepted Friday - housewares, holiday items, shoes, children’s, small furniture and appliances appreciated ICS Shelter, 4061 County Line Road, Westville

October October 12 2019 ICS Cat’s Meow Gala 5:00pm - 10:00pm Blue Chip Casino, 777 Blue Chip Dr., Michigan City For tickets: http://www.catsociety.org/gala.html

October 19 Storytime at Bellaboo’s 1:30pm - 3:00pm Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, 2800 Colorado St, Lake Station

October 27 Black Cat Strut 5k Run/Walk 9:00am - 12:00pm Red Mill County Park, 0185 S Holmesville Rd, LaPorte Registration: https://raceroster.com/events/2019/21393/black-cat-strut-trail-5krunwalk

November November 13 ICS Board Elections 6:00pm - 7:00pm ICS Shelter, 4061 County Line Road, Westville

December December 14-15 Holiday Open House 10am - 4pm Saturday; 1pm - 4pm Sunday ICS Shelter, 4061 County Line Road, Westville 2

President’s Message So far, 2019 has been an exciting year for all of us here at ICS. With the completion of our new addition, the Joan Hildebrand Adoption Center, several very successful fundraising events, and an extremely prolific kitten season, we’ve been very busy! We opened the new addition in June, and it’s been wonderful to have this new, bright space. Fiona, our feline office manager, approves wholeheartedly – she loves the new space with all the windows and plenty of room to have “Kitty Fits” whenever she wants.

Since the beginning of the year, over 200 of our wonderful cats and kittens have found their forever homes. With kitten season starting early and being relentless, we have an abundant “crop” of the cutest kittens in NW Indiana, looking to win the hearts of some loving family.

Please spread the word about us to your friends and family looking to adopt a new friend – your recommendations are greatly appreciated! (Or, if you are interested in fostering, please contact us.)

As Summer moves into Fall, it will continue to be a very busy time for ICS. In September, we will be at the Valpo Popcorn Fest on 9/7, and of course, will have our Fall Yard Sale on 9/28 and 9/29. And October 12th is our Annual Cat’s Meow Gala at Blue Chip in Michigan City – be sure to get your tickets soon! Our theme this year is a “Roaring 20’s/Speakeasy” – we will have the Gift Card Pull again (for $10, take your pick of any envelope for a gift card worth at least $10) AND a Wine Pull (for $10, choose a cork and get a bottle of wine worth at least $10). And of course, we’ll have raffles and silent auctions.

It’s sure to be a “roaring” fun evening – and as always, all the proceeds go to benefit the cats and kittens of ICS! Please see page 5 of this Mewsletter for ticket prices and purchasing information.

Finally, it is time for our annual election for the Board of Directors. We have 4 positions up for election this year (see page 7 of this Mewsletter). Monthly board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at Gelsosomo’s in Chesterton at 6:00 PM. All members are invited to attend. The election will be held at the shelter, on Wednesday, November 20th at 6:00 PM. Fiona and I hope to see you soon. Thank you all for your continued support!

Jocelyn Vereb, ICS Board President with Fiona, ICS “Office Manager”

Spay/Neuter Resources ICS assisted spay/neuter vouchers are available at the ICS shelter on Saturdays from 10 AM-4PM and Sundays from 1-4 PM. (Others hours may be available by appointment only). After purchase (cash/check/credit card), call one of the clinics below to schedule an appointment: • • • • • •

McAfee Animal Hospital (Valparaiso): 219-462-5901 – $115 Westchester Animal Clinic (Chesterton): 219-926-1194– $65 Coyne Veterinary Center (Portage): 219763-3311 –$65 All Creature Features (LaPorte): 219-393-3558 – $85 Gast Animal Hospital (Valparaiso): 219-759-7387 – $110 Maple City Animal Hospital (LaPorte): 219-324-0055 – $116

Dr. Anderson’s Feline Reduction Center has a low-cost clinic on Saturdays in Beverly Shores.

The scheduling number is 219-861-9006.

Other local options: • • • • • •

Neuter Scooter: www.neuterscooter.com Pet Neutering and Adoption: 219-987-7297 (DeMotte) ABC Clinic: www.petrefugeabcclinic.com (Granger) The Estelle Marcus Animal Clinic: www. hscalumet.org or (219) 924-7140 (Munster) PAWS Chicago: The Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic or mobile unit, www.pawschicago.org or (773) 521-7729 (Chicago) Fried’s TNR Clinic: 219-252-2872, friedstnr@gmail.com (Michigan City)

Contact us at icstnr2018@gmail.com for information on feral/community cat spay/neuter.

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Sponsor-A-Cat!

from your Spokescat, Pyewacket

Happy summer and fall!

We’re on our way – soon, the grass won’t be quite as green, and the flowers won’t be quite as pretty. But we have been fortunate this summer, because our little shelter has been the talk of the town!

Have you been by to see us lately? Our grounds are beautiful, our Rainbow Bridge Garden spectacular, and our new adoption center building amazing! People have visited from near and far this summer to see everything that’s new, which has been great since they usually bring treats and kindness along with them!

As usual, there many cats and kittens looking for their forever homes, and despite the new construction, daily vet, food, and litter needs must still be met. Sponsor-A-Cat is one program that helps keep everything running smoothly! Will you help make a difference by joining Sponsor-A-Cat today? Any amount helps, but our regular sponsorships help make sure that our cats get the best care possible during their stay, no matter how long that may be.

We hope you’ll come visit us and see how we’re growing to serve the felines of Northwest Indiana even better!

Zach

Jake

Elwood

Pax

Savannah

Stanley

I want to Sponsor-A-Cat from the Independent Cat Society

I have enclosed a check for:

__________ $180 for one year of Sponsor-A-Cat

__________ $15 for the first month of Sponsor-A-Cat. I pledge to send $15 each month to Sponsor-A-Cat

__________ I pledge to send the amount that fits my budget and feels “right” to Sponsor-A-Cat each month Please mark “SAC” on your envelope and check memo. The sponsor will receive a photo and biography of his or her Sponsor-A-Cat. Name of sponsor_____________________________________________ Is this a gift sponsorship? _______________ Address_________________________________________________ City______________________________________ State_______ ZIP__________ Telephone _______________________________________ Month of sponsor’s birthday______________________________ email address_______________________________________ Clip and mail to: Independent Cat Society, Inc., PO Box 735, Westville, IN 46391 4

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Memorials & Tributes

May 2019 - August 2019

In memory of Midnight, from Donna Ordziejewski

ICS also mourns the passing of each cat we lost this year:

In memory of Walter and Christopher Witt, from Mary Witt

Aurora

In memory of my mother, Norma Donzero, from Kevin Donzero

Carmel

In memory of Rosemary Dudlack, longtime ICS supporter, from Carol Dudlack and all of her friends at ICS

Chester

In memory of Allison Feola’s 16 year-old cat, from Aldona Priede

Ellie

Daphne

In loving memory of Jennifer Bielefeld, from her many friends and family

Marco Melody

In memory of Joan Hildebrand, from the Hildebrand family, Kimberly Giannini, and all of us at ICS

Molly Pillsbury

In memory of Joe Kenevan, from Karen Livengood

Quincy

In memory of all our special fur babies, from Annette Kulmatycki

Riley

In memory of Chelsea, from Linda and Ted Hargrove

Roy

In memory of Florence Novak, from Mary Novak

Spookie

In memory of Ellie Mae, from Brian and Wendy Roseman

Zoe (aka Pansy)

In memory of my 17.5 year-old cat, Leo, from Linda Luebcke

Zoey

In memory of Butchie and Abby, from Tom and Nancy Kleckner In honor of Coco Dering, from Nancy Dering In honor of Mary Carpenter, from Jean Rudd In honor of Joni Berg, from Marilynn Ames In honor of Oliver and Leo, from Linda Nawrocki

If we have inadvertently omitted anyone, please write, email, or call us so we can include them in the next newsletter.

Corporate Sponsorships Financial Institutions 1st Source Bank Allegius Credit Union Centier LaPorte Community Credit Union Northern Indiana Federal Credit Union Grants Banfield Foundation Best Friends Animal Society Bissell Foundation John W. Anderson Foundation Petco Foundation Porter County Community Foundation Porter County Master Gardeners TransCanada Corporation Unity Foundation of LaPorte County Matching Gifts ArcelorMittal Matching Gifts Benevity Community Impact Fund Charity Gift Certificates CNA Foundation Discover Financial Services Exxon Mobile Foundation JC Penney Change for the Better Campaign State Employee’ Community Campaign Truist United Way of Greater LaPorte County

Local Aurelio’s Pizza, LaPorte Avalon Springs, Valparaiso Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, Michigan City BoyConn Printing, Valparaiso Brandy’s Lock & Key, Valparaiso Burns Funeral Home & Crematory Cat Trees by Max, Hebron Chesterton Feed & Garden, Chesterton Chesterton High School, Chesterton Chicagoland Popcorn, Merrillville Eley-Graham Financial Advisory Services, Merrillville Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service, Valparaiso Harry Danning Trust Foundation, Valparaiso Jake’s Feed & Garden, Valparaiso Journey Senior Living, Valparaiso Justin’s Tree Service, Chesterton K&D Tool Supply, Trail Creek KarahTess Clothing & Lettering, LaPorte Mid-America Claims, Inc., Valparaiso Moose Lodge – 1357, Valparaiso Ogden Dunes Women’s Club Pet Supplies Plus - LaPorte Portage High School, Portage Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser, Valparaiso Puntillo & Crane Orthodontics, Crown Point Purrfectplay, Chesterton RGS Mill Products Corp, LaPorte StoryTime Soap Shoppe, LaPorte Symphony of Chesterton

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Vincent’s Hair Design, Valparaiso You Can Make a Difference Club, Westville Elementary School

Other AmazonSmile Cat’s Pride Litter for Good Program Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund (Eldred) GoodShop Health and Hospitality Corp of Marion Co Morton Buildings Network for Good NiSource Vision Anthologies Wells Fargo Advisors Yankee Candle Participating Veterinarians All Creature Features, LaPorte Arbor View Animal Hospital, Valparaiso Ark of the Dunes Animal Hospital, Chesterton Coyne Veterinary Services, Portage Gast Animal Hospital, Valparaiso LaPorte Animal Hospital, LaPorte Maple City Animal Hospital, LaPorte McAfee Animal Hospital, Valparaiso Michigan City Animal Hospital, Michigan City New Carlisle Animal Hospital, New Carlisle Olson Veterinary Services, Randi Olson DVM Westchester Animal Clinic, Porter Vale Park Animal Hospital, Valparaiso

Time to Vote!

It’s time to vote for your Independent Cat Society board of directors members for 2020. The nominees for four open positions are below, and our elections will take place on Wednesday, November 13 at 6:00pm at the ICS Shelter.

Would you like to add your name to this list? Let us know! Contact us at shelter@catsociety.org expressing your interest in the position you’d like to serve, and a brief biography of your qualifications for that position.

All paid members of ICS are welcome to apply.

Not a member yet? Head over to http://www.catsociety.org and join us!

Membership entitles you to not only serve on board seats, but also to vote in elections.

Vice President: Paulette Gonzalez

Member At-Large (2): Diana Foster (open position)

Corresponding Secretary: (open position)

Ask Ollie: The Story of Hooch by “Ollie” and his human, Viktoria Voller, Board Member, Humane Society of Northwest Indiana Note: This is a charming story that was told to me many years ago and it is still relevant when we are “adopted by a dog”.

he doing, or more appropriately, what was he chewing? This dog was bigger than me and I wondered if I had the strength to train him properly. I also wondered if we had the right home for him and if would be really be happy.

The folks at the Humane Society told me that to adopt him would be a commitment and I needed to think about it carefully. Then I went to the Humane Society to visit Hooch and after seeing him in his cage, there was no question that he was going to make his home with my family. He had his shots, was neutered, examined by a veterinarian, and given a clean bill of health. I took him home that day.

Dear Ollie, The story of my Hooch is one I love to tell everyone because my family was adopted by this big brown lug of a dog in a very special way.

Here is how the adventure began. I started to get a sense that something was wrong or different in my neighborhood when my garbage was invaded every Monday by something much bigger than the local raccoons. Stories began circulating amongst the children that a huge pile of brown leaves near the lake by my home was moving. Then, I would hear police sirens as the Merrillville Police Department was called by some Miller Elementary School folks reporting a large monster that needed to be captured. This monster was living in the pile of leaves by my pier. The police would come and the leaves would become quiet.

I bought a dog training video and every morning, Hooch and I work on his deportment. I am very pleased to report that, 26 pairs of shoes later, he is doing just fine.

Signed, Love that Dog Dear Love that Dog, It is a special thing when a dog adopts a person and a person’s place. Dogs know a lot of things simply by instinct. They don’t choose just anyone, and there are many stories of dogs that search for and choose the right person for them. Hooch made the right choice.

This scenario went on for about three months, food was missing, leaf piles were moving and sirens blaring. Finally, a large dog was spotted and I went to investigate. What I found was a sweet and frightened dog that weighed over 100 pounds living and hiding in the leaves and wandering the neighborhood in search of food. He was a beautiful sight to see and won my heart immediately. I began taking care of him every day. I wrote ads for the local paper asking who was missing this fine and gentle animal, part Labrador, part Pit Bull and part Mastiff.

Most recently, my woman-human, Viktoria Voller, was adopted by Sweetie, a Skipper Kee mix dog that was recuperating from surgery at our house. My woman-human works with the Humane Society of Northwest Indiana and has nursed many dogs back from bad situations, and she does it in my house! I often look forward to the day they leave, but Sweetie didn’t and is still here. I suppose we can keep her.

Hooch –the name I chose for him – and I were definitely bonding during this time, and I was keeping my fingers crossed that no one would respond to the ad. When it seemed clear that I could adopt the big “fella,” I called the Hobart Humane Society and brought Hooch to them for an evaluation. While he was with the Humane Society, I thought about him all the time. What was

By the way, one of my favorite films is Turner and Hooch, which was released in 1989 and stars Tom Hanks and one talented dog.

Good luck, Ollie

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Independent Cat Society PO Box 735 Westville, IN 46391

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PAID

Valparaiso, IN Permit No. 134

Upcoming Events • Popcorn Festival

http://catsociety.org

September 7, Downtown Valparaiso

• Brats and Brews Fundraiser

@IndCatSociety

September 21, Chesterton Feed and Garden

• Aunt Kitty’s Trash and Treasure Sale

September 27-29, ICS Shelter

facebook.com/ INCatSociety

• 2019 ICS Cat’s Meow Gala

October 13, Blue Chip Casino

• Storytime at Bellaboo’s

October 19, Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center

• Black Cat Strut 5k Run/Walk

October 27, Red Mill County Park

• ICS Board Elections

November 13, ICS Shelter

• Holiday Open House

December 14-15, ICS Shelter

If you’d like to receive the Mewsletter via email, let us know at shelter@catsociety.org.

Can you help the Independent Cat Society cats?

Become a Member!

Annual Dues:

Donate or Volunteer! ______ I am donating $______ for the care of the cats and kittens.

______

$1000 Corporation

______ I am donating $______ to the building fund.

______

$500 Platinum

______ I will help groom cats at the shelter.

______

$100 Gold Star

______

$50 Family

______

$25 Individual

______

$1­­0 Student

______ I am donating $______ to the TNR/Assisted Spay & Neuter Fund. ______ I will help at fundraising events. ______ I will be a foster parent. ______ I will donate my cat-themed artwork or crafts for fundraising events. ______ I will bake for fundraising events. ______ I will make adoption follow-up telephone calls. ______ I will help cats get good homes by becoming an adoption counselor. ______ I will help take care of the grounds and maintain the shelter. ______ I will distribute flyers for fundraisers.

______

$10 Senior

­­Name______________________________________ Address_____________________ City______________ State_______ ZIP__________ ____This is a new address. ____ Do not send a “thank you” note. Phone____________________ email___________________________ Clip and send to: Independent Cat Society, Inc., PO Box 735, Westville, IN 46391