Independent Cat Society Mewsletter Summer 2020

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

Summer 2020 #165

The Future of ICS, Phase 2:

Renovations

A year ago, we opened the Joan Hildebrand Adoption Center, the long-awaited building project that has brought us more space to assist adopters and welcome visitors, house incoming cats and even have events like our Holiday Open House. Now, it is time to move on with our dream of renovating the main shelter to provide a brighter, fresher place for our cats.

Turn to Page 4 to learn more about the next phase of moving ICS forward!

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: 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: By appointment: shelter@catsociety.org or (219) 785-4936.

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

Carol Albrecht Treasurer:

Natalie Cebulski Board Members:

Diana Foster

Beth Hayden

Lori Hlinsky

Bernard Howard

Wish List Office supplies • Stamps • 2-pocket folders w/business card • Letter sized manila folders

Calendar of Events

Cleaning supplies • Laundry soup (HE preferred) • Dryer sheets • Paper plates • Paper towels • 30-gallon trash bags • Tall kitchen garbage bags Building & Grounds • Water softener pellets (rust prevention) • Aire Bear furnace filters 20x25x5 • 16x20x1 fiberglass furnace filters Other • Dry cat food (kitten/adult) - we prefer Science Diet • Ground flavors of Friskies and Fancy Feast • Kuranda cleanable cat trees • Scoopable & clay litter • Gift cards to Menard’s, Home Depot • Safeguard SG-36D humane traps • Turbo tracks replacement scratchers • Extra large litter scoops • Small blankets, rugs, and towels • Wellness grain-free food Special Services • Artists and craftspersons • Transportation and hauling vehicles • Skilled trades for grounds and building work

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 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, now in LaPorte. For scheduling, contact 219861-2006 or Cat_s-n_@hotmail.com.

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) Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, 317-675-0072 or www. lowcostspayneuterindiana.org. Transport available from Hobart Humane Society, 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month. By appointment only.

PAWS Chicago: The Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic or mobile unit, www.pawschicago.org or (773) 521-7729 (Chicago) Public Vet: https//pub.vet/

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

2

President’s Message Our priority is the health and safety of our cats, staff, volunteers and visitors, so for the foreseeable future, we will continue to operate on an appointment-only basis on Saturday and Sunday, so we can control the number of people in the shelter and maintain social distancing.

Face masks will also be required when visiting the shelter.

Potential adopters with approved applications will be given priority, so if you are interested in adopting, we ask that you complete an adoption application online from the adoptions page on our website (www.catsociety.org). You are not obligated to adopt, but this will allow us to schedule your appointment to come in to visit and potentially choose a new furry friend.

Hello!

We hope everyone has made it through the past few months safe and healthy. It’s been a rough time for all of us, and we really appreciate your ongoing support. The response to our emergency Appeal Letter and Facebook Fundraisers to help us make up for missed fundraisers was phenomenal, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

If you wish to visit for other reasons, we ask that you send an email to shelter@catsociety.org, and we will contact you with an appointment time for the weekend. Weekday appointments are very limited at this time.

Our weekend hours are Saturday 10am – 4pm and Sunday from 12pm – 4pm, until further notice.

In June, we had an extremely successful Yard Sale, even with facemasks and social distancing, so we truly appreciate your cooperation while we try to be sure everyone is safe from COVID-19 when at the shelter.

Fiona and I wish you all well, and we hope to see you soon!

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

We are proceeding with our Semi-Annual Book Sale on July 18th & 19th at the Moose Lodge in Valparaiso, and hope that other fundraisers can proceed in the months to come.

Please continue to watch our website and Facebook for updates.

Featured cat: Felicia

Featured cat: Maynard

Featured cat: Cici

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 3

The Future of ICS, Phase 2:

Renovations (continued)

In order to remodel the rooms and common areas in the main building, we first needed a space to temporarily relocate the cats as each room is remodeled. To do this, we worked with Mason Company to design an 8’ x 10’ room in our Adoption Center. Thanks to donations from Lawrence Vereb, Diana Foster, and a grant from Petco Foundation, we had the funds to install this in April. We also thank Paul Henry and his crew for installing this for us.

We have the funding to do most of the construction work, thanks to those donors referenced above, as well as a grant from TransCanada, Porter County Community Foundation and a generous donation for flooring from Diane Hanson. But, we will need to raise funds for the “catification” of Kiki’s, so we will be reaching out to you, our generous donors. A donation button can be found on our website, http://www.catsociety. org, or as always, donations can be mailed to ICS, P.O. Box 735, Westville, IN 46391.

Now that we have this room, we are looking to proceed with the next step this fall which is to completely renovate the 2 rooms in the southeast corner of the main building, known as Kiki’s and formerly Freckles. The plan for this remodel is to create a much needed storage closet as well as to provide a fresher, brighter and more functional place for the cats of Kiki’s, which will become the prototype for the rest of the rooms as we raise funds to move forward.

If you would like to learn more about these projects and perhaps help us with planning/design and raising funds for future projects, you may like to join the Building Committee.

Please email shelter@catsociety.org to let us know. This is a multi-year project, since we can only do one room at a time, but once it is done, it will be beautiful!

The plan is pictured below. We will enlarge the 2 existing windows on the south side, add at least one large window on the east side, build walls using an FRP coating as in the adoption center, and also apply the garage floor epoxy coating just like in the new building. Once complete, we will add proper “catification,” including shelves on the walls and cleanable cat trees like Kuranda Towers.

The new Mason room gains the approval of the cats!

We’d love to see more vertical space like this in Kiki’s Room!

4

Ask Ollie: Pets and Stress by “Ollie” and his human, Viktoria Voller, Board Member, Humane Society of Northwest Indiana Dear Ollie,

Dear PomTini,

What does the American Kennel Association’s (AKC) list of the ten most popular dogs in America and COVID19 have in common? Let me tell you, every May, I agonize over this AKC publication. Why? Because I’m a cute Pomeranian and not named in the top ten of the 2020 list, which is re-printed here in order: Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, French Bulldog, Bulldog, Poodle, Beagle, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

As you know from personal experience, America’s dogs (and cats!) are having their day as the virus keeps people at home more with their pets. It’s even spurred so much adoption and fostering that some shelters have emptied! But I can relate.

A few weekends back, my woman-human “crashed.” On Mother’s Day, the cable went out, and no one at the cable company could be reached by phone. Then, she decided to visit Costco. After filling her cart, she began to feel very lightheaded because of her mask. At the rotisserie, she put two roasted chickens in the cart, and was dizzy from inhaling the same air over and over again, so she didn’t realize that there was a one chicken per customer policy. Once she got to the register, this information hit my woman-human all wrong. In her desperation to get the mask off, she paid for her only one allowable chicken and left the rest of the groceries there!

Can you believe, I’m darling but only #24 on that list?

Yesterday, while I was agonizing over this, I heard the sound of leashes and knew I was going to be walked once again by my pet parents….really? During this COVID-19 period, I have had no time to myself. I’m walked six times a day, fed twice and cuddled continually. My family even applied to foster a tortoiseshell, pregnant short-haired cat – of all things – because they are home 24/7. I need them out of the house so I can do “dog” things like barking and sneaking up to the top of the couch where I have a great view of the neighbor’s yard and squirrels.

Later, when I heard the car door slam and the front door open, I barked and bounced to the door. There, I saw her burst into tears; I read stress and sadness all over her face.

This was Mother’s Day and she couldn’t see her family because of the COVID-19 restrictions. She scooped me up, cried into my fur and rocked me for about one hour. This whole Cable, Costco and COVID-19 Bermuda triangle of trouble was upsetting, and there was something about me that brought her comfort.

I really feel sorry for the top ten dogs – it must be worse for them. I’m just #24 and I can’t stand all this attention. Help!!

So, I get it, and you should too. The stress of this virus thing has given all of us pets job security, no matter where we are ranked on any “official” list of favorites. On the up side, I’ve been enjoying roasted chicken dinners more often lately. It’s funny how things work out.

PomTini, Chapel Hill

Ollie

Thanks to Our Sponsors Please join us in thanking these wonderful businesses who made our 2020 Sweetheart Contest a success with their support! And a special thanks to the Valparaiso Moose Lodge #1357 for their hospitality and providing the venue for our event.

Acme Communications Al’s Supermarket Albanese Candy Alli Financial Bare Bones Gastropub Biggby Coffee - Chesterton Blue Point Oysters and Sushi Bar, Valparaiso Cali’s Canine Couture Cat Dancer Cat Trees By Max Catit Catty Stacks Centier Bank - Valparaiso Chesterton Feed Chewy.com Chicago Bears

Chicago Cubs Chicago Wolves Chipotle Corporation Coastal Pets Color Street Culver’s - Valparaiso (J&G Food Services) Dean’s Tire & Auto, Chesterton Dr. Elsey’s Five Guys - Portage (DHW & Company, LLC) Five Guys - Valparaiso (DHW & Company, LLC) FiveBelow – Valparaiso Fluid Coffee Bar - Valparaiso Four Winds Casino Garber Management Group Gold Clipper, La Porte Hacienda - Michigan City Hebron Animal Hospital IFixPics J.J. Weinberg Art KarahTess Clothing and Lettering KitNipBox Lorah Jaiyn - Author

5

MC Auto MyThreeCats.com Oak Valley Greenhouses - LaPorte Oil Paintings by Jessica M Opportunity Enterprises Panda Express Railcats Baseball Sara Kessler Photography Southlake Holistics Stacks Bar & Grill, Valpo Thode Floral Tractor Supply Co. - LaPorte Triple T Farms and Canine Center Vale Park Animal Hospital Valparaiso University Wash’n Wag’n Junction Works in Motion Dance Company Zao Island

6

Memorials & Tributes In memory of our dear friend Bill “Joey” Foster, from his many friends and family including: Larry & Cindy Cosmo, Diana Foster, Staci Trekles, Carol & Wayne Albrecht, Jocelyn & Larry Vereb, Jeff & Theresia Larimore, Allison Klement, Stephen & June Kincius, R.M. & J.L. Bays, Marti Rukavina, Charlotte & Ron Jankowski, Valerie Tilford, Terry Pfeiffer, Kay Vazquez, the staff at the Presbyterian Resale Shop, Derek & Heather Stephenson, Paulette Gonzalez, Judy & Al Lindmark, Mitzi McGlone, Beverly Overmyer, Don & Susan McMahon, and Ginny Uhle In memory of Jack Hires, from all of his friends and family, including Dorie Hires, Staci Trekles, Frank & Kathryn Schmidt, Wayne & Carol Albrecht, and Ronald & Hollis Oselka In memory of Helen Svonavec, from her many friends and family, including Matthew Dimos, Jennifer Hilander, Judith Vega, and Maria Menezes In memory of Michael Rukavina, from David Soliday, Arlene & Kristine Miller, Barbara McKean, Teresa Michiaels, and Wayne & Marilynn Svetanoff In memory of our dear Hatsuharu “Ru,” from Lucas Hobart In memory of Pooky, a real sweetheart, from Tyler Thomas and Marcyana Wasinski In memory of John Rubinate, from his many friends and family, including Carol Ferraro, Amy Bloomquist, and Gretchen Loomis In memory of Maria Schubert, from Doroth Austgen In memory of Claudine Willis, from her friends and family In memory of Molley R. Lanham, from Leilani and Raymond Suchanuk In memory of Felix, 15 and a half years old, from Brian and Wendy Roseman In memory of our son, Jim Roback, from Joan Roback In memory of Alice Olson, from James and Gail Kuss In memory of our sponsor cat, Luna, from Michael and Selina Modesett In memory of Vicki Napiwocki, from Jim Napiwocki and all of her friends at ICS In memory of Bob MacMahon, from Donna and Alan Resetar In memory of Smoky and Goldie, from Steven and Susan Sanders In memory of Gracie, from Roxanne Myers In memory of Charlene Evers, from Scott and Tina Kleppe In memory of Bailey and Suki, from Judith Blanchette

through June 2020

In memory of Brownie, the last of the 3 sibling kitties who brightened my life for 15 years, from Elaine Torabi In memory of Katie, from Timothy and Sharon Fizer In memory of Arthur Utroske, Puff, and Dusty, from Evelyn Bechinski In memory of Dr. Bess Brennan, from Tom Grosser In memory of Marguerite Domsic, from Duneland Family YMCA In memory of my Chi Phi brother Dave, from William Mahl In memory of Midnight, who graced us with her presence for 19 years, from Douglas and Carolyn Dye In memory of Avis Blackburn, from Tom and Nancy Klecker In memory of Karen Kosak, from Steve Kosak and Margaret Smith Happy Easter Ray and Leilani Suchanuk, from Russell and Candace Sahm In memory of Marvin and Violet Forsythe, from Pam Vrablic In memory of Oreo, from Gary and Barbara Cave In memory of Michele Bridges, I miss you my friend, from Carol Albrecht In memory of Midnight and Little Bits, from Adele Fontanelli In memory of Kirk and Rene Rusbasan, from William and Carol Rusbasan In memory of Sally Benson, from Dorothy Benson In memory of Paul, our wonderful kitty-boy, from Stuart and Sherry Irvin In memory of Denise Prothero for her tireless work for the cats for Terre Haute, from Susan Anduskey In memory of Whitey, Lucky, and Sammy, from Charlene Kirschsieper In memory of Deborah Miller, from Joan Mier In honor of my daughters, Ally and Ava, from Sarah Sibbrell In honor of Christine Wulf’s birthday, from Sarah Gaines In honor of Marge Berry’s birthday, from Jeanne Webster In honor of Co-Co Dering-Muntean, from Nancy Dering In honor of Jodi Dusek, from Allison Klement In honor of Mia Straka-Schirripa, from Penny Straka

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

This year, ICS also lost a number of treasured residents. We thank all of our staff and volunteers for caring for our kitties in the best way they can.

Lilac

Nicky

Tweety

Pooky

Rudy

Spot

Toby

7

Jake

Luna

Orange Roughy

Independent Cat Society PO Box 735 Westville, IN 46391

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PAID

Valparaiso, IN Permit No. 134

facebook.com/ INCatSociety http://catsociety.org @IndCatSociety

Become a Member!

Annual Dues: ______

$1000 Corporation

______

$500 Platinum

______

$100 Gold Star

______

$50 Family

______

$25 Individual

______

$1­­0 Student

______

$10 Senior

Donate or Volunteer! ______ I am donating $______ for the care of the cats and kittens. ______ I am donating $______ to the building fund. ______ I am donating $______ to the TNR/Assisted Spay & Neuter Fund. ______ I will help groom cats at the shelter. ______ 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.

­­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