Independent Cat Society Newsletter Winter 2021

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

Winter 2021 #167

Meet the 2021 Sweethearts!

That’s right, the time is here to vote for your favorite ICS Sweethearts!

If you haven’t participated in our Sweetheart Contest in the past, the rules are simple: $1 equals 1 vote, and you can vote by mail, online or in person! The kitty with the most votes by March 15, 2021 is the winner, and gets special treats, cuddly blankets, and of course, plenty of pictures posted to show everyone their purr-fect poses!

You’ll be a winner, too, no matter which kitty you vote for, as your votes will help keep our ICS cats fed and well cared for during their time at our shelter.

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: Beth Hayden Corresponding Secretary: Carol Albrecht Treasurer: Natalie Cebulski Board Members: Diana Foster Jami Heying Bernard Howard Mirjana Koutelas

Memorials and Tributes

ICS Renovations Update The long-awaited renovation of the merged Kiki and Freckles rooms was completed in December 2020 and the kitties were moved to their new home on December 28th. As you can see from the picture below, they couldn’t be happier with the change!

through December 2020 In memory of my husband, Howard Peters, from Judith Peters In memory of Snickers, from David and June Tompkins In memory of Tim Freeman, from Teresa Bloede In memory of Leland, from Ivy Grey In honor of Linda Nicpon’s birthday, from Kyle Fouch In memory of Buster Brown, Princess, Angel, and Misty, from Donald and Rosemary Fanning In memory of Abraham Wondergem Jr., from Bruce and Susan Cybulski In honor of Jodi Dusek, from Kimberly Cash In memory of Bunny Foo Foo, from Tina Kleppe In honor of Sandy Mason, from James and Judy Pappas In memory of Pam Zemrowski, from Joanne Grote In honor of Tony, adopted in September of 2019, from Patricia Fields In memory of my beloved 22 year old cat, Spooky, from Linda Luebke In memory of Judy K. Lake, from Paul and Karen Nelson In memory of Abbie, from Donna and Alan Resetar In memory of Leo, Oliver, and Lucky, from Linda Nawrocki In memory of Brownie, from Elaine Torabi In memory of Rosemary Dudlack, from Carol Dudlack In memory of Shadow, Donald and Barbara Thomas In memory of Wilamenia, from Patricia Davis In memory of Noah, Simone, and Lucy, our ICS kitty angels, from Janet Schultz In honor of Dr. Mary Ann Sheller from Vale Park Animal Hospital, from Richard Wheeler In memory of Chaz, Lawrence and Kathleen Reynolds In memory of Chloe, adopted in 2009 as Aria - I miss her very much, from Ann Barber In honor of Patches, adopted in 2014, from Valeria Murphy In honor of Jami Heying and Cara Mia, from Sharon Jokantas In honor of Beau Niemeyer, our adopted cat, and the neatest guy, from Virginia Niemeyer In honor of Jethro, our living doll, from Meg Demakas In memory of my cat Lucky, from Brenda Palla In memory of my sweet Moxie, from William and Cecelia Dillard In memory of Dulcinea, from William Mahl In memory of my cat Bowtie, from Karen Coambs In memory and honor of Jack and Dorie Hires, from Gerry Ford In honor of Holly McCain, from Yvette Noe In honor of Yvette Noe, from Holly McCain In memory of Alice Kiefer and David Kiefer, from Denise Musch In honor of Amy Bicking, from Robert and George Steininger In memory of Paul, our cat, much loved and missed, from Stuary and Sherry Irvin In memory of Katie, from Timothy and Sharon Fizer In memory of David L. Steuer, from Beth Steuer In honor of Karin Contri, from Carrie McKibben In honor of Martin Jon Zimmerman, from Jeffry Zimmerman In memory of Jeanne Witte and Eleanor Jordan, from Deborah Jordan In memory of my beloved aunt, Evelyn Hutton, from Sundra Bryner In honor of the Steinhilbers, from Lee Ann Egan In memory of Wesley Caprile, from Edward and Robin Cichy In memory of Buddy, 7 years wild, 5 years house cat, 3 years lap cat, a very special cat, from Joseph Vargo A gift for Mrs Terry Pfeiffer on her birthday, from Suzanne and Michale Jascoviak

The room was taken down to the studs and new plywood covered with easy-to-clean FRP. New windows were added as well to let in more light, and we had the old cement floor coated with the same epoxy used in the Joan Hildebrand Adoption Center. Finally, for the humans, we added a large storage closet to store cat food and supplies.

This renovation was made possible by grants from Petco Foundation, Porter County Community Foundation, and TransCanada, as well as donations from generous supporters including Diana Foster, Diane Hanson, and Larry Vereb, and long hours of planning by the ICS Building Committee: Natalie Cebulski, Jocelyn Vereb, Diana Foster, Roberta Jocius, and Staci Trekles. But our work is not yet done! As is often the case with renovation projects, this one brought to light some maintenance issues that must be addressed sooner than later: a new roof, resolution of attic moisture and insulation issues, and new entry doors, to name a few.

Can you help? If you would like to donate to the Building Maintenance fund, please use the envelope provided with this Mewsletter. If you want your donation to be applied to a specific project, you may note that as well. As always, we appreciate the support of all of our generous friends and donors. Every penny helps make life a little brighter for our shelter kitties!!

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 • Maple City Animal Hospital (LaPorte): 219-324-0055 – $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 (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) 5217729 (Chicago) • Public Vet: https//pub.vet/ Contact us at icstnr2018@gmail.com for information on feral/community cat spay/neuter.

President’s Message As we put the challenges of 2020 behind us and look forward to a, hopefully, better year in 2021, we can still reflect on some positive things from 2020. We adopted out 299 cats and kittens. Thank you to all wonderful adopters who have chosen to give ICS kitties a forever home, even in this difficult time.

Tributes and Memorials, continued...

In memory of Betty Young, from Robert Wartman In memory of Marie Flores, from Jaelyn French In memory of Gunther (Brooks), 2003-2009, from Carol Alesia In memory of Bailey and Suki, from Judith Blanchette In memory of Evelyn Hutton, from Faith Kennedy, and Charles and Joann Morrison In honor of Sapphire (formerly Tema), adopted in March 2020 from ICS, from Martha Torrez Allen In memory of Elma Epple, from Steven Rudolph In memory of all my kitties who have crossed over, from Maxine Hamann In memory of Carolyn Gallagher, from Beverly Shroat In honor of Mr. Dickel, your new arrival on December 29th, from Allison Klement In honor of Jocelyn and Larry Vereb, from an anonymous donor

In December, we were finally able to complete the remodel of one of our main building cat rooms – Kiki’s. Once 2 small rooms tucked in the southeast corner of the building, they are now one large room, opening to the hall, with 4 large windows and lots of space for the cats to play and cozy places for them to sleep. And, we were able to add a much needed storage closet! Please see the pictures and more information about the project, and our continued plans for the future.

Our 2021 Wish List

Cleaning supplies • Laundry soup (HE preferred) • Dryer sheets • Paper plates • Paper towels • 30-gallon trash bags • Tall kitchen garbage bags

Finally, it is Sweetheart Contest time! See the pictures of our 2021 Sweethearts on the cover. Due to COVID concerns, we will not have an actual in-person Sweetheart Day event this year, but we are planning other ways for you to vote for your favorite and support ICS.

Building & Grounds • Water softener pellets (rust prevention) • Aire Bear furnace filters 20x25x5 • 16x20x1 fiberglass furnace filters

Fiona and I hope to see you soon!

Other • Dry cat food (kitten/adult) • Ground flavors of Friskies and Fancy Feast • Kuranda cleanable cat trees

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

Featured cat: Maple

Featured cat: Maumy

Featured cat: Petula

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

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