ICS Mewsletter Winter 2017

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

Winter 2017 #152

Welcome to the 2017 Sweethearts!

Chalupa

This sweet 1-year-old is a real “cuddlebug” who loves to play and snuggle. Her purr-sonality is sure to earn your vote!

Stubbs

Named for his stubby tail, this good-looking gentleman is a real sweetheart. You can’t go wrong if you vote for this orange star!

Cubby

This handsome 5-year-old loves to chase the laser dot and enjoys attention between naps.

His is really hoping to earn your votes!

Teddy

This gorgeous guy is affectionate, talkative, and his purr can be heard across the room. He’s sure to win your vote – and your heart!

Heidi and Puffin

These two 7-moonth-old cuties were raised together after a rough start in life. They are playful, affectionate, and just too cute for words! Will this pair win your votes?

Fiona

This adorable young lady loves to curl up in boxes and play with anything she can get her paws on. Will she win your vote?

Twiggy

This beautiful tortie loves attention, playtime, and laps for naps. She would be ecstatic to earn your votes and be named the ICS Sweetheart!

Lucky and Shamrock

These two 11-month-old sisters are just too adorable for words! Will the “luck o’ the Irish” brin them enough votes to become this year’s Sweethearts?

Upcoming Events, Tributes, and much more inside!

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.

Calendar of Events

February Sweetheart Month!

Your donations count extra this time of year, as $1 equals 1 vote for your favorite sweetheart! Donate at the shelter, by mail, or online, and help your favorite win fame, glory, and a special new toy!

February 18 It’s All About the Cats!

9:00am - 2:00pm Chesterton Feed and Garden Center, 400 Locust Street, Chesterton

March March 4 Annual Sweetheart Day Event 10:00am - 4:00pm Valparaiso Moose Lodge, 108 Indiana Ave, Valparaiso

March 20 Aurelio’s Pizza Party 5:30pm - 8:00pm Aurelio’s LaPorte, 2330 N US Highway 35, LaPorte

March 28 Official ICS Anniversary – 40 Years and Counting!

April April 22 Earth Day 9:00am - 2:00pm Porter County Expo Center, Valparaiso

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

April 29 Be Kind to Animals 10:00am - 4:00pm Porter County Expo Center, Valparaiso

June June 9-11 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

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President’s Message Happy “Mew” Year to all of our wonderful supporters and volunteers! Without you, ICS could not succeed in our mission to rescue, shelter, adopt, and promote spaying and neutering of cats here in Northwest Indiana and surrounding areas. So, from all the kitties at ICS, and the Board of Directors, we send a heartfelt “Thank You!” to all of you and look forward to another great year.

2017 marks a huge milestone for ICS, as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary as a not-for profit, no-kill cat shelter.

We’re planning lots of special events this year, including a 40th Anniversary Gala in the fall. Our Building Committee is making great strides with plans for a new building addition and renovation of the current buildings. Watch our Website, Facebook and, of course, future Mewsletters for more information about all of these activities.

As the newly-elected President of the ICS Board of Directors, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the departing board members for their dedicated service during their terms. Their hard work has helped ICS to grow as an organization: •

Staci Trekles - President

•

Judy Dean - Recording Secretary

•

Joan Hildebrand - Board Member at-large

•

Jason Petrovich - Board Member at-large

And, welcome to the newly elected board members: •

Paulette Gonzalez - Vice President

•

Diana Richie – Recording Secretary

•

Beth Hayden – Board Member at-large

•

Lori Hlinsky – Board Member at-large

and to those re-elected or continuing their terms: •

Natalie Cebulski – Treasurer

•

Kay Vazquez – Corresponding Secretary

•

Diana Foster – Board Member at-large

•

Jen Stall – Board Member at-large

We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we have a great team, and with the help of our volunteers and supporters, ICS will continue to be the best Cat Shelter in Northwest Indiana!

Thank you, Jocelyn Vereb, ICS Board President

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 in Beverly Shores.

The scheduling number is 219-861-9006.

Other local options: • Neuter Scooter: www.neuterscooter.com • Pet Neutering and Adoption: www. petneutering.com (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) Contact us at icstnr@comcast.net for information on feral/community cat spay/neuter

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Sponsor-A-Cat!

from your Spokescat,Monica

Happy New Year!

That’s right, it’s 2017, and we continue to be thankful for our many ICS supporters, including our Sponsor-a-Cat Members.

What? You’re not a member yet?

Sponsor-A-Cat is a very exclusive club! Of course it would be, having me as their official Spokescat, after all! But seriously, the Independent Cat Society would not be nearly as successful as it has been for the past 40 years without the help of our wonderful Sponsor-A-Cat program.

Your monthly donations are something that we rely on to make sure that all of my shelter-mates are fed and well cared-for during their stay.

Monica, your New Spokescat

With your generous gifts last year, we were able to accomplish many things, including provide extensive emergency surgery to a kitten named Nick, who now gets by with just 25% of his intestines (and yes, he’s ok!). We were also able to provide food and shelter to 265 new residents, 256 of whom were adopted out to their new forever families. That’s a lot of kitties!

We hope that as you learn more about us, you’ll spread the word and continue to help support us in 2017. Since 1977, we’ve been helping cats, just like me. Since having come here many years ago when I was just a kitten, I’m living proof that ICS is a great organization that cares of all of its residents, whether we’re “longtimers” or just here for a short while!

Nick

Nora

Gwen

Slick

Mr. Boots

Camille

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

The Price of Ownership

by “Ollie” and his human, Victoria Voller, Board President, Humane Society of Northwest Indiana Dear Ollie,

impunity, and can shed, too. However, cats can be left at home for a few days with food, water and a clean litter box. Maybe their pet parents think they need a little less attention and care because of their independent nature.

I’m one of 88 million cats that is a U.S. household pet.

In fact, I’m one of three cats in my home and I’ve never seen a veterinarian. There’s a dog in our family too, named Oscar. He’s not as smart as I am and he barks all the time.

Still, this dog has a bed with a zipper; he is collared and leashed, gets shots from the veterinarian and has attended an obedience training class. One night, I was outside under the back porch and scared because I heard the howl of coyotes. No one was looking for me. Why are cats taken for granted?

But, the treatment of all domestic pets is the responsibility of the pet parent. If a pet is living a healthy life and is cared for and loved by their owner, the pet has hit the jackpot. So, it is my suggestion Calico, that some pet parents stop viewing their cats as second class citizens. Many know this, but some don’t: cats need to be micro-chipped, spayed or neutered, fed, trained, properly vaccinated, and of course, loved and welcomed as part of the family. Even for those cats who are a little more independent than others (and we’ve all met them), while they may not always seem appreciative, they really are.

Calico, the cat from Kouts

Calico, this may be disappointing, but not too many cats have ever earned an obedience school diploma, so forget about getting to go school. And to be honest, you might not want to go anyhow, because it’s less fun than it sounds! Seriously though, cats, I must agree, seem less demanding and “easier” pets for humans to keep, but they should still be treated like a pet, with all the care and privileges that dogs might enjoy.

Dear Calico, I’m happy you wrote this letter, because you are America’s favorite pet, (there are just 74 million dogs in homes), according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. This group also said that 28% of pet cats have not seen a veterinarian in the past year, compared to only 8% of pet dogs. Pet parents spend less money on cat toys, food and grooming. People can pay an average of $331 to purchase a dog, and in the case of 75% of cat owners, they pay nothing. In one month, dogs in PetFinder.com’s database received nearly 50 million hits, but cats only 8 million.

Dear readers, are you a new pet parent, or know someone who is?

Direct your Web browser to some of these handy resources to learn tips and more about doing the best by your new pal: •

Dogs are dogs (and I can say this because I am one!). They bark, bite, lift their legs, shed, chew stuff, and can’t be left home alone for long or they might have an “accident.” Cats hunt, get hairballs, often have no regard for personal space, wander the neighborhood with

•

Best Friends Pet Care: http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/petresources Hill’s Pet Nutrition new parent site: http://www.hillspet.com/ en/us/new-pet-parent

ICS Membership: Join Us in Our 40th Year!

That’s right, this year, ICS is celebrating its 40th Anniversary – that’s a long time to be in the nokill business! In fact, we were one of the first no-kill shelters in Northwest Indiana, and we’re proud to be able to say that we have helped hundreds, if not thousands, of cats in our region since 1977.

All members receive our quarterly Mewsletter which contains ICS news, information and upcoming events. If we have an email address, we also send a monthly E-Mewsletter to keep our supporters up to date with ICS news and events. In addition, members 18 and older are able to vote at Board elections and on other member-driven decisions. Finally, all ICS members are eligible to become members of the Allegius Credit Union (www.allegius.org) or the Northern Indiana Federal Credit Union (www.nifedcu.org/).

For ICS, your membership helps us continue our mission to rescue, shelter, adopt, and promote spaying and neutering of cats – hopefully for another 40 years! Furthermore, our membership numbers are used as important evidence of community support on ICS Grant Applications that assist in funding for Community Spay/Neuter efforts and Veterinarian Care, and other ICS Shelter needs.

If you are not yet a member, this is a good year to officially join us!

And, since ICS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your gift is taxdeductible.

There are several membership levels to meet every budget: • $ 500 Platinum member • $ 100 Gold Star member • $ 50 Family member • $ 25 Single member • $ 10 Student member • $ 10 Senior (62 yr. and up)

Visit us on the Web at http://www.catsociety.org, or stop by our shelter to sign up for a membership today. You can also use the form on the back of this newsletter and mail it in!

Questions? Contact us! We love to hear from you, and we hope to see you soon as one of the hundreds of proud ICS members around the country!

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Memorials & Tributes

November 2016 - January 2017

In memory of Norma Jean Groth, from Jonathan & Kathy Groth

In honor of Lori Young, from Carkes & Joann Morrison

In memory of O’Malley, from John Million

In honor of Rudi and Gisela Rath, from James & Hilde Lanie

In memory of Bailey and Suki, from Judith Blanchette

In honor of Rex and Shirley Dull, from Keith & Josephine Arnold

In memory of James Droppa, from Arlene Maxwell

In honor of Tom Grosser, from Elizabeth Grosser

In memory of Marvin and Violet Forsythe, from Pamela Vrablic

In honor of Holly McCain, from Yvette Noe

In memory of Jasmine, from Laura Susko

In honor of Yvette Noe, from Holly McCain

In memory of Misty Bob, from Doris Baker

In honor of Beverly Overmyer, from Mim Neal

In memory of Amber, from Lynda Fowler

In honor of Barb Sirovatka, from Jeanne Sirovatka

In memory of Boogar, Brunswick, Nilliepuddinannie, and Lopsi, from Terrence & Marie Huycke

In honor of Amy MacKiewicz, from Talia Pasquall

In loving memory of our sweet Greta – we miss you, from Larry & Jocelyn Vereb

In honor of Monica, from Diane Bonilla

In honor of Abby Glinski, from Marilynn Glinski In honor of Sundae, from Nancy Machura

In loving memory of Little Beau, from Jocelyn Vereb

In honor of Terry Pfeiffer’s birthday, from Suzanne & Michale Jascoviak

In memory of Zeke, Clem, Tabby, and Killer – we miss you all, from Jack & Gail Helton

In honor of Diana and Bill Foster, from Daniel Boyk

In memory of Walter Witt, from Mary Witt

ICS also lost several friends in 2016. We would like to pay tribute to all of our cats and kittens that went to the Rainbow Bridge, including:

In memory of Sabrina, Molly, Zoey, and Olivia, from Roxanne Myers In memory of Gunther (AKA Brooks), from Carol Alessia In memory of Ori, from Willian & Cecelia Dillard In memory of my cat Lizzym passed away in November, from Mary Askey In memory of Cleo, from Debra Williams In memory of Niko, my beloved tuxedo partner, from Gail Kuiper In memory of Martin & Adela Barich, from Laura Barich In memory of Sami, from Gerald & Darlene Brooks In memory of Kay Balas, from Thomas & Karen Flaherty In memory of Tater Tot, from Sandy and Company In memory of Mr. Kelly, from Lori Jacobs

Shadows

In memory of our cat Max, from Robert & Patricia Beezhold In memory of Daisy Mae, from Susan Beres In memory of Kira, with love and gratitude from Sivana Heller In memory of Muffet, from G. David Stoneburner In loving memory of Janice Logman, from Martha Roll, Lila Hagenow, Laura King, Helen Brown, Paul & Carolyn Homan, and all of her friends and family In loving memory of my Noel, my blue handsome Siamese cat, 10-1297 to 10-21-14, from Ana Garcia

Aggie

Little Beau

Mocha

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Sherlock

ICS “Abridged” Book Sale Thank You! Thanks to your support, our new “Abridged” Book Sale on January 21-22 was a huge success, earning over $2500 for the shelter and its kitties!

We would like to thank all of our supporters who stopped by, as well as the wonderful managers of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge in Valparaiso. The venue was just the right size for everyone to enjoy food, fun, great cat toys and other products, and of course, books!

If you are saving your own donations of used books, keep us in mind for August, when we plan to offer another book sale at the Valparaiso Moose Lodge. If you would like assistance with storing your used books before that time, please send us an email at shelter@catsociety.org and a volunteer will contact you.

Terrific raffles, along with great food and baked goods, helped make the weekend sparkle.

As always, there were tons of great finds. Don’t miss us in August!

Corporate Sponsorships 1st Source Bank

Duneland Boys and Girls Club

Pet Supplies Plus

24Hour Pet Watch

Eley-Graham Financial Advisory Services

Pieces of Jayde

AJ Canopy Rental and Sales

Exxon Mobil Foundation

Porter County Council on Aging

Allegius Credit Union

First United Methodist Church

Porter County Community Foundation

Alltech Computers

Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

Porter County Master Gardeners

All Creature Features of LaPorte

Fluid Coffee Bar

Ark of the Dunes Animal Hospital

GoodCents Solutions

Purdue University Northwest - North Central Campus

Anderson Winery

Gast Animal Hospital

Arcelor Mittal Matching Gifts Program

HealthPartners Medical Group

Arbor View Animal Hospital

Hill’s Science Diet Pet Foods

Ashby’s Cards and Gifts

Home Depot Foundation

ASPCA Food Donations

Hotspot Cafe of LaPorte

Aurelio’s Pizza (LaPorte, IN)

Indiana 105

Banfield Charitable Trust

iPet Companion

Best Friends Animal Society

Jake’s Feed and Garden

Bissell Foundation

John W. Anderson Foundation

Brandt’s Old Fashion Emporium and Pet Supply

Joy of Socks

BP Foundation

Maple City Animal Hospital

Bren-Mark Window Cleaning Boyconn Printing Chesterton Feed and Garden Chesterton High School Culvers (Valparaiso) DailyGood Devries Tire Company

Pyle & Piontek, LLC Pyrrha Jewelry Razzle Dazzle Creation Ryan Newman Foundation The Spirit Within Medical Hypnotherapy Shelter Wishlist

JV Crane & Engineering, Inc. Michiana Mechanial Inc. New Carlisle Animal Hospital

Christie Lant, DDS

Chipotle (Merrillville)

Purina Pet Nutrition

Nisource Corporate Services Michigan City Animal Hospital McAfee Animal Hospital Mortar Net USA

SilverCrow Creations Sims Metal Management Starbucks Coffee (Portage) Southwest Airlines St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Unity Foundation of LaPorte County The United Way of LaPorte County Vale Park Animal Hospital Walt Disney Corporation Westchester Animal Clinic Westville High School Westville Farm Supply, Inc.

Olga Petryszyn Team

Yat’s Restaurant

Petco Foundation

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

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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 • Sweetheart Month!

http://catsociety.org

Get ready to vote in February!

• It’s All About the Cats

@IndCatSociety

February 18, Chesterton Feed and Garden

• Annual Sweetheart Day

March 4, Valparaiso Moose Lodge

facebook.com/ INCatSociety

• Aurelio’s Pizza Party

March 20, Aurelio’s LaPorte

• ICS 40th Anniversary

Think of us on March 28!

• Earth Day

April 22, Porter County Expo Center

• Be Kind to Animals

April 29, Porter County Expo Center

• Aunt Kitty’s Trash and Treasure Sale

June 9-11, ICS Shelter

• SAVE THE DATE! 40th Anniversary Gala

October 14, Blue Chip Casino, Michigan City Details coming soon!

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