mewsletter winter 2013 edition

For the friends of the Independent Cat Society, a no-kill cat shelter Winter 2013 #136

The Sweethearts Are Here!They're here! The 2013 ICS Sweethearts are looking good and looking to win your vote. Please vote for the cat you feel is sweetest bydonating in any amount in its name.

You can vote via Paypal, by mail, or by dropping it off at the shelter. Voting will continue through February, and the winner announced the firstweek in March on the website (www.catsociety.org), Facebook (www.facebook.com/indcatsociety), and in the shelter, and will appear in thenext Mewsletter. The winner will be the glamourpuss who raises the most money. The victorious kitty will receive a bag of catnip and a newtoy. So be a sweetie and vote for your favorite fabulous feline today!

AlohaWarm and colorful like a Hawaiian sun-

set, Aloha is a furry piece of tropical para-dise! The word “Aloha” means both

“hello” and “good-bye”, but did you knowthat now it also means “Sweetheart?”

ColinAdding gravitas to this year's competitionis handsome Colin. Don't let his dignifiedand stately appearance fool you. Insidehe is jumping up and down saying “Vote

for me! Please please please vote forme!” Don't make him beg.

HomerUnlike a certain well-known Homer, our

Homer is truly a class act. Make sure youremember to vote for him, otherwise

you'll find yourself saying “D'oh!”

KeokiJust look at that rugged profileand those captivating stripes!

Looks plus charm makes Keokifit the profile of a perfect

Sweetheart. My name is Keoki and I

appurrove this message!

MadisonAn elegant and stylish little

miss, Madison came here as ayoung mom but has big dreams.

She is soft, silky, and oh sosweet. Madison will win yourheart - will your vote help her

win the Sweetheart title?

TrinkaHer dark smoldering tabby

beauty makes Trinka a standoutin any crowd. Take a stand and

vote for Trinka!

35 Adoptable Cats Inside!In celebration of our 35th anniversary, we are featuring 35 adoptable cats throughout this edition of the Mewsletter. Look for them inside! ➡

LeoThe word "gorgeous" doesn't

even begin to do justice to Leo.Yet in spite of his movie stargood looks, Leo is just a laid-back love bug. And he would

just LOVE to get your vote!

Mewsletter-Winter2013-new35thlayout2_mewsletter 135 1/29/13 9:45 AM

Published for thefriends of the

Independent Cat Society, Inc.PO Box 735,

Westville, IN 46391(219) 785-4936

Web: www.catsociety.orgEmail: [email protected]

Also on Facebook:www.facebook.com/indcatsociety

The Independent Cat Society, Inc.,founded in 1977, is a non-profit, no-

kill cat shelter on US Rt 6 at thePorter/LaPorte County Line Road in

Westville, Indiana.

The Independent Cat Society’smission is to promote the welfare of

all animals, especially cats, byreducing pet overpopulation,

educating the public, preventingcruelties to animals, promotingresponsible pet ownership and

working for more humane legislation.

Adoption hours:Saturday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pmOthers by appointment.

Please call (219) 785-4936.

Adoption fee: $75Includes: Spay/neuter, vet exam,feline leukemia and FIV test; age-appropriate vaccinations; parasite

treatment; tattoo ID or microchip; 30Day No Cost Pet Insurance; cardboard

cat carrier; and free follow-up post-adoption participating vet visit.

Companion Cat: $25.

Board of Directors:President:

Anastasia TreklesVice-President:

Tina SleppyRecording Secretary:

Judy DeanCorresponding Secretary:

Mary RooneyTreasurer:

Brett WilsonBoard Members:

Gail FriedenJoan HildebrandPaulette GonzalezMaureen Davey

Calendar of Events

February2013 Sweetheart Contest

January-FebruaryVote for your favorite sweetheart by donating any amount

in their name. You can donate via the PayPal link atwww.catsociety.org, by mail, or by dropping it off at the shelter.

Open Your Hearts FundraiserFebruary 16, 9-4

At the Ogden Dunes Fire StationOgden Dunes, Indiana

MarchDunes Cat FanciersMarch 9 & March 10

At Woodland Park, Portage, Indiana

Pussycat Pizza Party!March 11, 6-9

Aurelio’s, 2330 N. Highway 35 in LaPorte, Indiana

AprilEarth Day Festival

April 20At the Expo Center, Valparaiso, Indiana

Black Cat StrutApril 28, 9 am

At Sunset Hill County Park in Valparaiso, Indiana5K Run/Fun Walk and 1 Mile Dog Walk

Learn more and register athttps://register.thtiming.com/Search/event.aspx?id=18192

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Melvin is truly Garfield personified. His round face, handsome orangetabby stripes, and his love of lasagna make him the celebrity ofChurch's room. He loves a window view and can be very playful!


President’s Message

Greetings!

As we welcome 2013, the Independent Cat Society also welcomes a number of new boardmembers, including myself as president, Gail Frieden and Joan Hildebrand as members atlarge, and Judy Dean as recording secretary. We look forward to a productive new year thatbrings much health and joy to our cats, as well as to our members.

With that said, please allow me to take a few moments to introduce myself. My formal nameis Anastasia, but most people call me Staci, and I am honored to have been elected the nextICS board president. I have been a volunteer at ICS since 2009, when I decided to go on aquest to find some furry friends to help and make a difference in their lives. I had recentlylost my beloved childhood cat, Zelda, who was 23 when she passed, and I had also justundergone a divorce. Life was looking a little grim, but I knew that volunteering somewherewhere I might be needed would cheer me up. I responded to a Mewsletter very much like thisone and sent in a request to become a volunteer at ICS. Little did I know that I would not onlymake some furry friends, but also some wonderful friends of the “people” variety as well!Soon I was working fundraisers, helping feed cats, and I even worked as an early morningmedicator for about a year. Since 2009 I have also adopted three ICS cats, whose antics arethe highlight of my days (and nights) and who keep me young and thinking positively. Ourmost recent addition at my home in Valparaiso is Chaka, a 2011 Sweetheart Contest candi-date and a truly lovely little tortie worthy of the “sweetheart” title.

So what made me decide to run for ICS board president? Honestly, it was another way Ibelieved I could help the organization that I have grown so fond of. I am, by trade, an educa-tor – I have worked at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Indiana, for over 15 years asan instructional technology coordinator and professor, and during that time have made manyconnections around Northwest Indiana with schools, non-profits, and businesses. I havelearned a lot about our region, and our state, through work with the Indiana ComputerEducators (ICE), a non-profit organization whose goal is helping teachers invigorate theirclassrooms through the meaningful integration of technology. As an ICE member since 2003and an ICE board member since 2008, I have seen how smart groups of people can cometogether to do amazing things for those in need. And at the Independent Cat Society, we havea lot of very smart and dedicated people – like you, reading this letter right now – who canjoin us in doing some really wonderful things for our cats.

This year, we ask you to consider how you can contribute your talents, skills, and time for ICS.Maybe it is just a few hours a week or month as an adoptions counselor. Maybe it is as amedicator or cleaner, helping ensure that our cats are properly cared for and our facility ade-quately maintained. Maybe it is as a volunteer during our many fundraising activities through-out the year, such as the upcoming Sweetheart Contest, where each candidate will need helpgetting out the vote! Or perhaps it is just through generous gifts of funds or supplies to helpour shelter continue its mission of providing the best quality care for its feline residents.Whatever the case, know that you are part of a tremendously caring team of like-minded peo-ple who love animals and want the best for our cats. Working together toward a commongoal, we can achieve great things.

I hope that you will join us as we move forward into 2013 with a renewed spirit and enthusi-asm for our work in helping each and every one of our cats find happy, healthy foreverhomes.

Sincerely, Staci Trekles, ICS Board President

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In late 1976, several cat lovers in Beverly Shores, Indiana, met to dis-cuss the possibility of opening a no-kill cat shelter in their area. Two ofthe people had volunteered at a local shelter and were of the opinionthat more attention was paid to the dogs and the adoption of dogs.There was also a serious problem of cats being abandoned in thebeach community of Beverly Shores. Their intention was to form asociety which would be dedicated to rescuing abandoned and abusedcats, give these animals the best affordable medical care, includingneutering, and house these animals in a cageless, no-kill shelter withpleasant, clean surroundings and caring personnel. The cats were tobe adopted into good homes. If its adopter could no longer care forthe adopted cat, it was to be returned to the shelter. Cats would notbe euthanized unless recommended by a veterinarian or if the catwas hopelessly ill or injured.

In March 1977, the Independent Cat Society, Inc. was chartered inthe state of Indiana. Why the name “Independent Cat Society?” It waschosen to show that the organization was not affiliated with any otherhumane society, animal shelter, cat organization, or with the Societyfor the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Membership grew rapidly andmembers’ meetings were held monthly. A search began for suitableproperty to rent or lease for a shelter. During that year and into 1978,all rescued cats were kept in and adopted out of foster homes. InJune 1979, the first ICS shelter opened at Harrison and Maple Streetsin Michigan City in leased space in the old streetcar barn not far fromthe center of the city. The shelter consisted of two rooms at streetlevel and two rooms on the second floor connected by a staircase. Ithoused approximately 35 cats. The cats and kittens were kept ingood-sized pens and were only caged for observation when they firstarrived, or if ill. Four Michigan City veterinarians and a Porter veteri-narian agreed to participate in the spay/neuter program and the gen-eral medical care of the cats. The shelter operated smoothly with allvolunteer help and was kept open with intensive fundraising, growingmembership dues and donations. ICS was given excellent media cov-erage in Northwest Indiana .

The building in which the shelter was located also housed other busi-

nesses and on a Saturday afternoon in June 1979, a fire started inone section of the building. Smoldering stacks of newspapers beingstored for a paper drive caused the fire. The papers had come intocontact with an exposed electrical wire. Two small boys ran into theshelter to tell the volunteer on duty that the building was burning.Fire engines and equipment were soon on the scene and the rescueof the cats began. The family of an ICS member who lived only a fewblocks from the shelter raced over and, with the help fire personnel,got all but two of the cats out of the smoke-filled building. Those twocats had hidden themselves and they died of smoke inhalation. Twoother cats were burned and escaped, but were trapped a few dayslater.

All rescued cats were then housed in a garage. Word went out vianewspapers, radio, and local TV that foster homes were needed forall of these cats and many of them were placed within a few days.ICS proceeded to operate out of a trailer placed in front of theclosed building. The trailer served as an office and shop for severalmonths while the search for new quarters went on. In late summerof 1979, the president of ICS purchased an old cabin-type roadsidemotel. It was located on the outskirts of Michigan City on four acresof land. ICS agreed to lease the motel, the zoning permit wasobtained, and volunteers descended upon the buildings to repairand renovate, clean and paint – no small task. Fundraising contin-ued to support the cost of all of this work and for materials and sup-plies. Membership grew and donations poured in. The shelter firehad received national media coverage and contributions came fromacross the county. The motel buildings soon housed 100 cats. Asmall separate cabin on the grounds, which had been a caretaker’scottage, was used for kittens. This isolated them from the adult catsin the other buildings. In late December 1980, ICS did not renew thelease on the motel due to disagreements over finances. Space wasrented on the top floor of a three-story building in the northern sec-tion of Michigan City. This was the historic Pullman Building. Thebuilding was not in top condition, but the rooms on the top floor,which totaled 2,500 square feet, were large and airy with windowsall around. The building had once served as the office building for

35 and Alive!A History of ICS, in celebration of our 35th Anniversary

Zipper is a gorgeous long haired orange and whitecat. He has a sweet and gentle dispositionand is like a great big teddy bear who lovesbeing petted. He would make someone agreat companion!

Aloha is sweet and feisty! She loves to talk and toget petted. Why not come talk to her?

Fluffy lives up to his name and is a cuddler toboot! His gorgeous grey and white coat isstunning! Bring him home and he will keepyou warm all winter.

Waldois a mature 10 but loves nothing more thanbeing held in your arms like a baby. Hes awell-dressed tuxedo cat, but not too stuffyto snuggle!


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the factories, which were located to the north. The original complexhad been built in the early 1900s. The walls were thick and thebuilding was cool and breezy in the summer. A trucking firm occu-pied the first floor, along with a gospel church. The second floorhoused a dance school and an artist’s studio. ICS cats enjoyed thewafting strains of both “Swan Lake” and church spirituals.

Again, a crew of hard-working volunteers spent many hours convert-ing former office to cat quarters by cleaning and painting, buildingisolation pens, perches and climbing trees. The gift shop, located onthe first floor of the building, sold books, cards, t- shirts, artwork,crafts, cat supplies and cat litter. ICS was at that time a distributorfor a very fine cat litter, Nicky, which was used almost exclusively inthe shelter. The litter was stored on the first floor and no better exer-cise could be had than carrying 50-pound bags of litter up threeflights of stairs!

As before, the shelter depended upon membership dues, donationsand fundraising events such as bike-a-thons, auctions, rummagesales, bake sales, raffles, ice cream socials, and participating inlocal craft fairs and cat shows. Two Open Houses were held eachyear at the shelter: in the spring to celebrate “Adopt-a-Cat” monthand a Holiday Bazaar in late November. Because the shelter was solarge, part-time cleaning help was hired, but a great deal of the workwas still done by volunteers. A cat care committee worked diligentlyto maintain the health of the cats and kittens with the help of veteri-narians who visited the shelter on a rotating basis, donating theirtime and expertise.

When ICS moved into the Pullman Building, it was with the knowl-edge that we would not be there indefinitely, as it was known thatthe property would one day be sold for development. At that time itwas rumored that condominiums were to be built on the land northof the building. In 1983 a building fund was started so that ICScould eventually purchase property and build a shelter. In theautumn of 1986, the building we were in as well as the adjoiningfactory building and all land north to Highway 12 was sold to devel-opers. This was to become “Lighthouse Place,” a large outlet shop-ping mall. The new owners of the property decided that the PullmanBuilding would be too expensive to heat for the coming winter, soICS was told in October that it must vacate the premises by mid-November. It was short notice, to say the least.

There was an empty house, in poor condition, across the street from

the Pullman Building. ICS, in a desperate move, obtained a zoningpermit to occupy the house as a shelter, at least for the winter. But itwas soon discovered that the cost of totally replacing the electricalsystem in the house, along with other repairs, would be prohibitiveand the idea of occupying the house was abandoned. The heat inthe Pullman Building was to be turned off at the end of October. Thedevelopers at a local business employed one of the Board ofDirectors and through her efforts ICS was allowed to stay in thebuilding through our Holiday Open House, which was the last week-end in November. A call went out, via local media, for heaters andblankets. The shelter was inundated with warm blankets and spaceheaters donated by concerned animal lovers.

The Open House was held a week earlier than scheduled and 23cats were adopted and 90 placed in foster homes. That same week-end another board member received a call from a local bank presi-dent who had always been very supportive of ICS. He offered abuilding in Pines Township, Porter County, and adjacent to MichiganCity. The Bank had recently foreclosed on the property, which con-sisted of two pole barn buildings that were connected on 21⁄2 acresof wooded land. One of the buildings contained a two-story apart-ment with kitchen and bath. The other was very spacious and couldbe converted to a roomy shelter with remodeling of the interior. Theboard members made a quick visit to the property and voted aresounding “yes” to occupying it immediately. A week was spentcleaning the grounds of mounds of garbage and painting and clean-ing the apartment. Volunteers did all of this. Necessary repairs weremade to the heating system and the septic system. More work wouldhave to be done on the septic field if zoning permitted us to stay.

On the last weekend of November 1986, with the help of many ICSmembers and supporters along with the regular volunteers, allremaining 94 cats were moved out of the Pullman Building to thebuilding in Pines, along with some furnishings. The balance of thebelongings was stored.

Plans were drawn up to remodel the large pole barn building.Because the property was situated in a rural area, no problem wasanticipated with obtaining a zoning permit from the county as localresidents kept horses, hounds, chickens, ducks, geese and pea-cocks. But, that was not to be. Two zoning hearings were held inValparaiso in January and February 1987. Both of these meetingswere extremely heated with ranting and raving by a few of the arearesidents. Apparently the majority of them strongly objected to an

Mocha is a shy beauty who would really love thechance to have a home of her own. Mochahas even inspired artist Karen Ebert topaint her picture.

Corky was a wild child who has matured into aplayful, entertaining companion. Corky gota lot of notice as ICS Sweetheart 2011, butsadly nobody has claimed him for their veryown sweetheart.

Frankie is a dapper tuxedo gentleman who hasn'tmanaged to be invited to be someone'sspecial escort. If you bring Frankie home itwill be prom every night.

Chase is a handsome black cat who used to beshy but has become much more friendlyand is just waiting for a nice quiet home.


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animal shelter being located in their neighborhood. The hearingswere given a great deal of coverage by the local newspapers. Thevote of the zoning board was close: 3 to 2 against us. ICS wouldhave to move by April 12, 1987. The only positive that came out ofthe meetings was praise by the zoning board for the professionalismof the ICS presentation.

In April, cats were again placed in foster homes and a generousoffer was made to ICS by Arbor View Animal Hospital in Valparaisofor the use of part of a building located behind the clinic. This loca-tion served as a temporary shelter as the search went on for morepermanent quarters. The section ICS moved into had an outdoorrun, which allowed some of the cats fresh air and sunlight.Renovations were made, again by volunteers, and the cats moved in.The Building Fund, which had been started in 1983, now hadenough money in it for a down payment on land and/or a building.

In 1989 the property on which the shelter now stands was found. Itis three acres of wooded land on the Porter/La Porte County LineRoad on Highway 6 just into Westville, Indiana. Zoning hearings wereheld, the zoning was approved, the property was purchased and con-struction began on a pole barn building. That building was complet-ed in early 1991, again with volunteers doing all of the finishingtouches on the interior. The cats were moved in during the spring of1991. An old farmhouse had stood on the property, but was beyondrenovation and was torn down. A two-car garage in good conditionwas remodeled and became the “Paws Awhile” Gift Shop. A drivewas held, Building Fund II, for a much-needed Isolation Buildingwhich would house kittens, newly arrived cats and an office.

ICS continued to be operated primarily by volunteers with part-timeemployees hired for cleaning the shelter and feeding the cats. A vol-unteer Cat Care Committee was responsible for medicating andmaintaining medical records. Thirteen Northwest Indiana veterinari-ans worked with ICS in the spay/neuter program and an associateveterinarian visited weekly. ICS had participated in the AmericanHumane Association Early Spay/Neuter Program since the fall of1991, so most of the cats were tattooed with an AHA assigned logoand an ICS identification number. Financial support for the opera-tion of the shelter and the care of the cats continued to be derivedfrom membership dues, donations, pledges, fundraising, bequests,and, in December 1996, a grant was received from the InternationalFund for Animal Welfare. With the continued support of members,

contributors, and local veterinarians, and the dedication of volun-teers, ICS continued to strive for the best care it could give the catsthat came to the shelter and to adopt them out into responsible andcaring homes.

By Jean Gerometta, May 1997

Update by Beverly Overmyer, Corresponding Secretary, July 2007

Jean wrote the history of the Independent Cat Society from its begin-nings 30 years ago when a few women got together to solve theproblem of abandoned cats and kittens in their community. Jean’swritten history ended in December 1996. Since then ICS has workedselflessly to carry on the original purpose: to rescue abandoned andabused cats and give them the best possible medical care, includingspaying and neutering, in a cageless, no-kill shelter and then adoptthem into good homes.

Many new programs and services have been added in the past fewyears to keep this vision alive. The mission remains the same.Fundraising has always been a priority and a challenge for this non-profit organization. One of the most successful, on-going programs isSponsor-a-Cat. In the last five years this program has grown andbecome one of our most reliable sources of income. The programmatches shelter cats with sponsors who pay $10 or more a monthfor the cat’s care and maintenance. The donor receives a pictureand brief biography of their cat. The sponsor is encouraged to visittheir cat at the shelter for playtime and grooming, which make thecats more “people friendly” and increase their chances of adoption.Many have adopted their sponsored cats. In 2002 the program had134 sponsors and $13,822 in donations. The program hasincreased each year to a 2006 SAC donation totaling $24,438. Theprogram today has nearly 200 sponsors. A binder with photos of allcats looking for sponsorship is available at the shelter as well as atall fundraising events and on our web site. Another new program isthe Room Mother Program. Each of the 11 rooms at the shelter hasa Room Mother who keeps track of the cats’ general health and vis-its at least once a month to clip nails, groom, and play with hercharges. Room Mothers can give helpful information about the cats’

Reesie is a wonderful younger cat. She is a sweetyoung tabby who loves to play. Reesiewould love a home where she could playand entertain you.

Marigold is a darling little long-hair tabby and whitemix. She is so delicate looking and reallyloves to snuggle in your arms. She wouldmake a wonderful addition to any family.

Astra is a cute-as-a-button black and white beau-ty. She is a little shy and some of the biggercats tend to bully her, but she loves tosnuggle in your arms. She would really lovea family of her very own.

Bettyis a cute gray and white mix. She wouldlove a home and family of her own whereshe can nap and play. Could she be thenewest member of your family?


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behavior to potential adopters.

Always a vital part of the ICS vision, the Foster Care Program seeksfoster homes for cats and kittens with special needs that cannot bemet appropriately at the shelter. Pregnant cats or nursing motherswith their kittens are housed in foster homes so that they may becared for and socialized until they are ready for adoption. Other catsgo to foster homes to recover from surgery, illness or injury. Manyfoster cats become permanent parts of their foster families. The CatCare Committee oversees the care of all shelter cats and kittens,and is responsible for scheduling vet appointments, maintainingrecords, and assuring that all cats and kittens are current on inocu-lations and medications. Purrfect Partners, a program new in 2006,is a form of permanent foster care pairing our healthy senior catswith qualified seniors at no cost. ICS pays for all veterinary care andtransportation to the vet. A Purrfect Partner counselor visits thehome monthly for a health check and nail clipping. If the senior is nolonger able to care for the cat, it can be returned to the shelter.

All ICS cats are spayed or neutered before they are offered for adop-tion. In recent years, it has become apparent that many cats inhomes or strays being kept outside by cat lovers are never spayed orneutered, primarily because of the high cost of these surgeries. ICShas an Assisted Spay and Neuter Program that offers a voucher for$50 (spay/neuter and basic shots) or for $75 (the same, with addi-tional tests and shots) to help defray the cost. A more aggressiveapproach to the stray problem is met by a recent addition to the ICSrepertoire: the ICS TNR Squad. The Independent Cat Society isactively pursuing a unified program to address the stray, free-roam-ing, and feral cat populations of Porter and La Porte Counties. ICSrecognizes that it is a human problem, and is working with caretak-ers, public officials, and veterinarians to provide low-cost surgeriesfor free-roaming cats. In 2005, an Endowment Fund was estab-lished to build a permanent fund and assure a predictable source ofincome. ICS became a member of the Unity Foundation of La PorteCounty, Inc., which provides endowment services for non-profits. ICSwill receive the interest on this account to use at its discretion aslong as it exists. Since 2004, Unity Foundation has awarded annualgrants to ICS. John W. Anderson Foundation has also generously pro-vided annual grant support to ICS.

The Independent Cat Society first started a Building Fund in 1983.In 1989, the land for the current shelter was bought and the build-

ing completed in 1991. In 1996, Building Fund II was launched. Thisfund paid for a new roof for the main building as well as the old GiftShop, now the isolation building for kittens and new arrivals. TheBuilding Fund will be used in the future to add improvements andadditions to the shelter including a separate laundry area and med-icators’ station, and a reception/office area.

2013 UpdateSince 2007, we continued to pursue our mission, even through diffi-cult economic times. In addition to what ICS has always done, wegreatly stepped up our efforts to try and keep people and their catstogether as well as being more proactive with education in the com-munity and especially our TNR program. In 2008, we were awardeda $10,000 grant from Petsmart to fix free-roaming cats in LaPorteCounty, and as of October 2012, thanks to this grant, generousdonations, and the assistance of Dr. Maureen Fehrs, we havespayed or neutered a total over 2000 cats in the community. Otherorganizations have joined us with low cost spay/neuter programs oftheir own, and Dr. Michael Anderson opened his clinic in MichianaShores. We continued to offer the voucher program for participatingveterinarians and of course spayed or neutered every cat that cameinto the shelter. These developments gave us hope that we couldbegin to make a real difference in the number of unwanted andhomeless cats in the region.

At ICS, we have always been partial to black cats, starting with ourfirst logo, the “Little Black Cat.” In 2008, we had our first Black CatBoogie, a fall fundraiser presided over by the giant “Boogie Cat.” Ourblack cat decided to get fit in 2011, and we added the Black CatStrut 5K.

In 2012, we were able to realize our dream of a Rainbow BridgeGarden, thanks to a partnership with Purdue University NorthCentral. Funds generated from the sales of engraved bricks will helpincrease our building fund and bring us closer to our goal of animproved shelter for our cats.

Christopher is a gorgeous tabby who is shy but so verysweet. He tends to stay back and not comeout when visitors come into the room. Hewould make a wonderful addition to a fami-ly but might need just a little extra attentionto really bloom.

Gigi is a cutie. A little white and grey tabby mixwho is small and yet has so much love togive. She is just looking for the right personto give it to.

Clevelandis a player, but the nice kind! He loves alltoys but especially enjoys batting at runningwater. If you need some fun in your life, giveCleveland a try!

Azurbajanis a mystery man. We picture him stretchedby the fire, his person in a silk smokingjacket, brandy snifter in hand, and manu-script on the table. Azurbajan’s ambereyes, soulful and deep, narrow only whenhe is chasing the laser. He is a cat in hisprime and has all the markings of theBombay breed. He used to be very shy; not

so much now. Pet, brush and admire him now; he will repay everykindness.


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Low Cost Spay/Neuter Options are Growing! Vouchers are available at the ICS shelter on Saturdays from 10 AM-4PM and Sundays from 1-4 PM. (Others hours may be available byappointment only). There are two different levels of Voucher.

• Basic Voucher: includes spay or neuter, first distemper vaccine, rabies vaccine, worming, ear mite treatment, and identification tattoo/microchip.

• Comprehensive Voucher: includes everything in the Basic level plus flea treatment, FELV and FIV testing, and the first Feline leukemia vaccine.

After purchasing a voucher, call one of the veterinary clinics listed below to schedule an appointment. ICS Spay/Neuter vouchers are onlyaccepted at the following veterinary clinics:

• McAfee Animal Hospital: 219-462-5901 651 Eastport Centre Dr. Valparaiso, IN 46383 Basic - $65 Comprehensive - $90• Westchester Animal Clinic 219-926-1194 55E US Highway 20 Porter, IN 46304-1397 Basic level only - $73

Payment by cash or money order only (No credit/debit cards/no checks)

Dr. Anderson has a clinic on Saturdays in Beverly Shores. If the cat is flea-free, the cost is $50 for the surgery, Rabies vaccine, ear cleaning,pain shot, and a shot of penicillin. His scheduling number is 219-861-9006. Call and leave a message that you want to schedule your cat fora particular Saturday. Drop off time is 8:00 am to 8:45 am, and you pick up usually between 4:30 and 5:30, but they can tell you more whenthey call you back.

Neuter Scooter www.neuterscooter.comPet Neutering and Adoption (219) 987-PAWS (7297) www.naws.us.org

The Estelle Marcus Animal Clinic in Munster is now offering low-cost spays and neuters for the following groups:

• Low-income pet owners on government assistance (such as Food Stamps, Medicaid, Unemployment or Disability) • Owners of pit bulls and pit bull mixes • Residents of Gary, Indiana • Feral cat caretakers (call 219-924-7140 for information on humane trap rental) • Animal shelters, animal controls, and rescue groups

They also have special programs:

1. Low-Income Senior Program: Seniors over the age of 65 and on government assistance (other than Social Security) can get their pet spayed, neutered and vaccinated for free! Call 219-924-7140 for an appointment.

2. Spay Your Momma Program: Low-income owners of a dog or cat with a litter can get the mom and her litter spayed, neutered, and vaccinated for rabies for free! Owners must be on government assistance or Social Security. Call Calumet SNAP at 877-819-3300 for more information.

Colin and Cinderare brothers who look just like small panthers, but they are loveable sweeties in spite oftheir exotic good lucks. They are 6 years old, and both are declawed. Take a walk on the wildside!

Gizzyis personality with a whole load of cute.Grab a toy with a string and Gizzy is there!On his down time he is gentle and cuddly:Gizzy has it all going on.

Trapper lives in Scruffy's because he's a shy guy,but would be very happy in a quiet homewhere his gentleness and sweetness wouldlet him shine like the star that he is. Givehim some treats and he will be your bestfriend.


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Emery is buff! He is also a true gentle boy. Henever is pushy or snappy with the otherBoppers; instead, Emery prefers to be alover. Emery came to ICS as a kitten andprobably because of his laid-back nature,he has been passed over time and timeagain. He is also a master at the laser andloves his Chicken Fancy Feast, when he can

get it!

Reikois the pretty boy of Boppers. Long hairedand handsome, he is the original Puss-in-Boots. His coat is silky and gorgeous andhe will head–butt for more grooming or pet-ting. He loves cuddling with other Boppersand is really quite playful when awake. Hiscaramel eyes will melt you!

Bennyis a sleek black cat, 5 years old, andSUPER friendly. He will seek you out andbeg to be brushed or petted. Benny enjoyssocializing with other cats too!

Wallyis a 4-year-old, mellow fellow. A beautifulgrey tabby, Wally gets along with other cats,but prefers to be above the fray. He's a loverboy. Nothing makes Wally happier than tosit on a warm lap and be petted or brushed.

Luluis a petite 6-mo old sweetie with a cute, dis-tinctive face. She will cuddle, snuggle andcrawl up on your shoulders.

Kiki is an adorable 5-year-old who has grown upat the shelter and not been adopted yet inspite of how doggone cute she is. Now isher time and are you her future?

Amadeois a 4-year-old "teddy bear". He is veryaffectionate. This cuddly boy would love tosit on your lap and be petted.

Chaseis a handsome, 3-year-old, male gray tabby(not to be confused with Chase the hand-some black cat). Chase is a classy, but lov-ing lap cat.

MJis dignified and not pushy, but really enjoysbeing petted or getting scratched and he isquite playful. He's a superstar just like hisnamesake!

Tessa is known as “Blood-Lettin' Tessa the PirateQueen” during the month of September, butin reality this beautiful little buccaneer ismuch more endearing than fearsome.Come meet her and see for yourself!

Marsis an elegant black cat with out-of-this-world appeal! Because black cats waitlonger to be adopted, Mars has spent hisentire three years at the shelter. Why notbring him home and show him a newworld?

Laney is a sweet tortie who is so often overlookedbecause she is laid back and quiet. She isa real beauty and would make someone awonderful pet. Give her a little love and youwould have a friend for life.


In Memory of —

In Honor of —

Memorials & Tributes.. . from 7/18/12 - 12/31/12

Retractions from the previous issue (with our apologies):Mildred Tracht from Sandra Ilgen should have been listed under In Honor of, not In Memory of.

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

Dan Goodman from TD & Gail Hartzell, Mary Persyn

Mabel Vereb from Linda Romano

Krisan, Heather, Shana & Emily Ann from Kathleen Heath

KC & Willis from Gary Grygotis

Chatul & Teddy from Phyllis Baker

Abby from Carol Albrecht

Carol Oke from Kenneth Lysaker

Daniel Goodman from Naomi and Daniel Goodman

Carol Oke’s cat from Judy Butts

Pee Wee, the cat from Christy Schulte

Eileen Miller from Marlene Monk

Richie from Gary and Olivia Granados

Blackie and Rainey from Gary Grygotis

Vivian Stemmler from Jane Susnis

Lanz, Pepper, Napolean, and Fluffy from Aldona Priede

Carol Ann Dunkelbarger from Doris and Russell Vanblaircom

Mrs. Scott Miller from Scott Miller, Thomas White, Valerie Rubens

Peter Alex Christoff from Linda Fry

Yvette Noe from Holly McCain

Donatella, his cat from Abraham Wondergem

Scott and Tina Kleppe’s dog, Muffin from Nancy Kleppe, Eugene and ElaineBruszewski

Richard and Pat Humbert from Cheryl Mioduski

Ron and Lena Wyller, her parents from Mary Williams

Carol Decker from Marcine Todd

Ron & Lena Wyller from Randal & Beth Childress

Their cats from Norman and Patricia Karner

Roberta Jocius, her aunt from Laurel Lamb

Kira from Sivana Heller

Sharon Brooks, for her birthday from Thomas and Karen Flaherty

Ron and Lena Wyller from Randall and Beth Childress

Heartfelt Thanks...We thank Johnson Excavating, BP Fabric of America, and Allegius CreditUnion for their generous donations.

Thanks to AJ’s Tents for their generous support.

Special thanks to all Corporate Donors for the 35th Anniversary Gala SilentAuction, including Ace Hardware Valparaiso, Arbor View Animal Hospital,Aurelios, Being Creative 4 You, Betty White, Bissell Foundation, Blue ChipCasino, Blue Moon Dance Studio, Brandt's Supply, Clint Henry of OakPartners, Dr. Korczak, DDS, Dr. Lovera Wolf Miller, Dichroic Jewelry, FourWinds Casino, Great Hair Days, Green Mountain Coffee, Hot Spot, Jackson

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Galaxy, Kings Lane, Maple City Animal Hospital, Menards, Michelle JuskoHair Salon, New Prairie Animal Hospital, Old Town Banquet Center, PaulaDean, Pfeiffer's Pies, Pyrrha Jewelry, Stepping Out in Style, Terry AbnerSalon, The Spirit Within, and Vale Park Animal Hospital.

We thank the John W. Anderson Foundation for their generous grant. JohnW. Anderson has been a supporter for many years and we can’t thank youenough.

Many thanks to another long-time supporter, the Unity Foundation, for theirwonderful grant to help keep people and their pets together.

®

SINCE 1959

Yippee! It’s another:

Pussycat Pizza Party!If you missed this wonderful event the last two years, you missed a great time. But don’t worry; Dave and Andrea Libich are doing it again! Join us on Monday, March 11th from 6-9 at Aurelio’s in LaPorte at 2330 N. Highway 35. Tickets are $12 and will be sold at the door, and include all the pizza you can eat and all the pop you

can drink. We will have a Silent Auction Dessert Bar featuring some of your favorites, plus you can pick up a few of our wonderful toys for your kitties at home. All

proceeds are being donated to ICS, so you can relax and eat the best pizza around, all while helping us!


Corky was sitting with a crumpled paperbetween his little gray paws and a sheepishlook on his face.

I took the paper from him and smoothed itout. "Does Your Cat Own You?" was a list thatany "cat person" could recognize in their ownhousehold.

I think this was the kitten's attempt to find aperfect sponsor for every cat in the shelter--convincing you or a friend to take anothercat into their hearts, even if there's no roomin their home.

Corky hopes this will bring a smile to yourface and bring a new sponsor for one of ourshelter cats while they are waiting for their"forever home."

Does Your Cat Own You?

• Do you choose your friends based on howwell your cat likes them?• Do you buy more than 50 pounds of littera month?• Do you admit to non-cat owners how manycats you really have?• Do you sleep in the same position all nightbecause it annoys your cat if you move?

• Does your cat sleep on your head? Do youlike it?• Do you put off making the bed until thecat gets up?• Do you watch bad TV because the cat isasleep on the remote?• Do you have more than 4 open cans of catfood in your fridge?• Will you stand at the open door indefinitelyin the freezing rain while your cat sniffs thedoor deciding to go out or come in?• Do you give your cat presents and a stock-ing at Christmas?

The Sponsor-A-Cat program helps donorspick one of our shelter cats or kittens tosponsor with a monthly donation of theirchoice. Benefits are obvious.

• No lugging big bags of litter.• No waking up with a crick in your back orneck from sleeping in one uncomfortableposition for hours.• No standing in the cold or rain while yourcat decides which side of the door she'd liketo be on.• No concern about what food might be thecat's favorite on any particular day.

If you want tohelp the shelterby sponsoring acat, please fillout the slipbelow and sendyour firstmonth's dona-tion to the shel-ter. You willreceive a pic-ture of yoursponsor cat andthe story of thekitty's lifebefore the shelter became home.

You can come to the shelter to pick a cat tosponsor or let us know what kind of catyou'd like to sponsor--male or female, kittenor senior, long-haired, black, white, orange,tabby, calico or tortie--we have them all. Orwe'll pick out a cat for you that would love tobe your special cat.

Many of our 35 adoptable cats featured inthis newsletter are still in need of sponsors!Please help us find the perfect sponsor forevery cat in the shelter.

Sponsor-A-Cat!

I want to Sponsor-A-Cat from the Independent Cat SocietyI have enclosed a check for:

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

__________ $10 or _________ for the first month of Sponsor-A-Cat. I pledge to send $10 each month to Sponsor-A-Cat.

__________ $15 or _________ for the first month of Sponsor-A-Cat. I pledge to send $15 each month to Sponsor-A-Cat.The sponsor will receive a photo and biography of his or her Sponsor-A-Cat.

Name of sponsor_____________________________________________ 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

from your Spokescat, Corky

Corky, your new Spokescat

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Don’t miss these events!• 2013 Sweetheart Contest

January-February — Vote via PayPal at www.catsociety.org, by mail, or in person at the shelter

• Open Your Hearts FundraiserFebruary 16, 9-4 — at the Ogden Dunes Fire Station

• Dunes Cat FanciersMarch 9-10 - Woodland Park, Portage, Indiana

• Pussycat Pizza Party!March 11, 6-9 — Aurelio’s in LaPorte, Indiana

• Earth Day FestivalApril 20 — Expo Center, Valparaiso, Indiana

• Black Cat StrutApril 28— Sunset Hill County Park, Valparaiso, Indiana

If you’d like to receive the Mewsletter via email,let us know at [email protected].

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS PostagePAID

Valparaiso, INPermit No. 134

Independent Cat SocietyPO Box 735Westville, IN 46391

Become a Member!Annual Dues:

______ $1000 Corporation

______ $500 Life

______ $100 Gold Star

______ $50 Family

______ $25 Individual

______ $1 0 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 give cats their medications.

______ 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

Can you help the Independent Cat Society cats?


mewsletter winter 2013 edition

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