For the friends of the Independent Cat Society, a no-kill cat shelter
Summer 2021 #169
Update: Raising the Roof!
Thanks to all of our generous supporters who donate help make these much-needed renovations possible. The next project will be the remodel of cat room, Nursery, later this year. Want to donate? Check out our “Raise the Roof” Facebook Fundraiser at https://www.facebook.com/ donate/341318300808182/ or mail a check to ICS – Raise the Roof, P.O. Box 735, Westville, IN 46391.
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
In July, we “Raised the Roof” on our main shelter and have a brand new metal roof! Thanks to Morton Buildings for their hard work in some very hot weather. In August, USA Insulation will be replacing the insulation in the attic and Greentree Environmental Services, Inc, will be treating the attic to prevent moisture issues for years to come. The Cupola has an exhaust fan, and with the help of Amps & Volts Electric who hooked up the electric, it will run automatically when the temperature gets too hot, helping to keep the shelter cooler with improved ventilation. In June, Henry the Handyman and his crew installed new exhaust fans which will run automatically when humidity is high in the laundry areas. And, we are hoping to have new exterior doors on the main shelter installed by Allied Door & Hardware very soon! Link needs your help! Link came to ICS from Indianapolis with a severe infection following surgery for kidney stones. He is feeling much better today, but he needs a permanent foster home where he can be an only kitty and eat his special food. He is so sweet and snuggly, it’s unbelievable! If you have room in your home and heart to foster or adopt this wonderful boy, please contact us.
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: Beth Hayden Corresponding Secretary: Carol Albrecht Treasurer: Natalie Cebulski Board Members: Diana Foster Jami Heying Bernard Howard Mirjana Koutelas
Learn More: ICS Membership
Memorials and Tributes In memory of Stan and Dorothy Rowland, from David Rowland In honor of Diana Foster on her birthday, from Julie Wilson In memory of our friend, Shirley Spencer, from Sheila Wood and Jeff Yelton In memory of Helen Gardner, for the love of cats, from Sharlene Wozniak In loving memory of Tom Allison, father of Melissa Petrovich, from Dr. Kylene Huler In memory of Cleo, Diana Foster’s beloved cat, from Jocelyn Vereb In memory of Bonnie Alexander, from Donna Kotulock In memory of Smokey, from Brenda Hershman In memory of Binki, Sammy, and many more, from Gerald and Darlene Brooks In honor of Christine Wulf, from Bonnie Canzano In honor of Jim Sykes, from Arlene Maxwell In honor of my sister Patty Gillham’s birthday, from Viki Lauerman In memory of Lisa Couser’s beloved cats, Crow, Jasmine, Luigi, Puffy, and Tutu, from Elaine Chilton In honor of Barbara Yaros, from Niki Bell, Catherine Dixon, and the Conners Family In memory of my wonderful cat Blackie, from Carol Sandberg In memory of Buddy Vargo, from Joseph Vargo In memory of Buster Brown, Angel, Princess, and Misty, from Donald and Rosemary Fanning In memory of Jeremy Jay Phillips, from Beverly Phillips In honor of Mrs. Ruth Knoll, from Connie Conjalka In honor of Roux’s 14th birthday, from Sharon Jokantas In memory of Sabrina, Gracie, Marcie, Olivia, Zoey, and Molly, from Roxanne Myers In memory of Katie and Muffin, from Sharon and Tim Fizer In memory of Guinevere, Goliath, Muffet, Shalom, and Grinch, from G. David Stoneburner In memory of our granddog Murphy, from Tim and Judith Zaparucha In beloved memory of Jane Stachowski, from Dina Baktys, Sandra Boeckling, Stanley and Diana Gaskey, & Joann and Connie Stanley In memory of Helen Gardner, from Gillian Gardner, Joyce Hicks, and Martha Hoeppner In memory of Lisa W. Holstein, from S. Holly Stocking In memory of Mike Masters, from William and Wendy Masters In honor of Beau Niemeyer, sweetest cat in the world, from Virginia Niemeyer
One of our new ICS arrivals, Boo, asked “Office Manager” Fiona about membership one day: “Why would people want to be members of ICS?” There’s a bunch of great reasons! First and foremost, your tax-deductible annual contribution helps us continue our mission to rescue, shelter, adopt, and promote spaying and neutering of cats. Our membership numbers are also used as important evidence of community support on ICS grant applications that assist in funding for Spay/Neuter efforts, Veterinarian Care, and other ICS Shelter needs. ICS Members, of course, get benefits, too! • • •
Your paid membership enables you to vote at Board elections and on other memberdriven decisions.You’ll never miss out on an ICS Mewsletter or email communication! By becoming an Independent Cat Society member you will also be eligible to become a member of the Allegius Credit Union (www.allegius.org); or the Northern Indiana Federal Credit Union (Merrillville or LaPorte branches www.nifedcu.org/). You’ll have a good feeling knowing you are helping homeless cats and kittens in Northwest Indiana, Northeast Illinois, and Southwest Michigan find loving care and shelter until they find that special person to give them a forever home! Available membership levels: • $1,000 Corporation • $ 500 Platinum member • $ 100 Gold Star member • $ 50 Family member • $ 25 Single member • $ 10 Student member • $ 10 Senior (62 yr. and up)
You can choose the Membership level that is best for you. Please complete the form on the back of this Mewsletter and drop it off or mail it to the shelter with your check, or you can go to the Membership page on our website, www.catsociety.org/membership.html, and use the link to pay via PayPal.
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– $85 All Creature Features (LaPorte): 219-393-3558 – $85 Gast Animal Hospital (Valparaiso): 219-759-7387 – $110 Hero Pet Animal Hospital (Westville): 219-515-4376 – $96 Males / $106 Females Maple City Animal Hospital (LaPorte): 219-3240055 – $116
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Dr. Anderson’s Feline Reduction Center has a low-cost clinic on Saturdays, now in LaPorte. For scheduling, contact 219-861-2006 or Cat_s-n_@hotmail.com. Other local options: • Pet Neutering and Adoption: 219-987-7297 (DeMotte) • ABC Clinic: www.petrefugeabcclinic.com, 574-2917729 (Granger) • Humane Indiana Estelle Marcus Animal Clinic: www.humanindiana.org/clinic-main, (219) 9223811 ext. 212 (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. • Public Vet: https//pub.vet, 707-599-1553 (Neuter Scooter) • SNIP Low Cost Spay/Neuter: www.sniplowcost. com, 219-440-4727 (Hobart) Contact us at icstnr2018@gmail.com for information on feral/community cat spay/neuter.
President’s Message Finally, be sure to check out our website from time to time at catsociety.org. In addition to our active Facebook page, our website contains more information, updates, our list of corporate sponsors, and even links to our online adoption and volunteering forms.
2021 is flying by! We had a successful Spring Yard Sale in June and Used Book Sale in July. Events seem to be back on track, and we are looking forward to more of our favorites through the rest of the year. This includes our Cat’s Meow Gala on October 30th at Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City. We’re celebrating “Meowloween” and we hope to see you all there! More information is included in this Mewsletter.
Fiona and I hope to see you soon! Jocelyn Vereb, ICS Board President with Fiona, ICS “Office Manager”
Our 2021 Wish List
Cleaning supplies • Dryer sheets • Paper plates • Paper towels • 30-gallon trash bags • Tall kitchen garbage bags
Adoptions continue to be consistent. So far this year we have adopted out over 135 kitties. We have many new adopters, but also many previous adopters coming back to get another one (or two) of our great cats!
Building & Grounds • Water softener pellets (rust prevention) • Aire Bear furnace filters 20x25x5 • 16x25x2 furnace filters (no fiberglass)
Kitten season started a little late but hit with a vengeance and now the little ones will be coming to the shelter over the next month, ready to be adopted after spay/neuter and vaccines. There are a lot of real cuties this year!
Featured cat: Purrcilla
Other • Dry cat food (kitten/adult) • Ground flavors of Friskies and Fancy Feast • Kuranda cleanable cat trees • Scoopable & clay litter • Gift cards to Menard’s, Home Depot
Featured cat: Cesar
Featured cat: Cassandra
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
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
Become a Member! Annual Dues: ____ $1000 Corporation ____ $500 Platinum ____ $100 Gold Star ____ $50 Family ____ $25 Individual ____ $10 Student ____ $10 Senior
Name____________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ City____________________ State_______ ZIP__________ ____This is a new address. ____ Do not send a “thank you” note. Are you interested in volunteering? Please enter your contact information below! Phone___________________________________________ Email____________________________________________ Clip and send to: Independent Cat Society, Inc., PO Box 735, Westville, IN 46391