When TNR turns into TNA

Feral cat colony caretakers will often try to pull kittens from a colony to be socialized and adopted into forever homes. The window of time to easily socialize a kitten is brief, and sometimes the job is not fully done in time. Then socialization becomes a bit more time-consuming, but the results can be enormously gratifying and worth the effort in the long run. Our Feral Friends TNR Program is currently fostering a few of those cases. Isadora, Josephine, Scarlet and Pablo were brought into a foster home to be fully socialized after being TNR'ed as kittens by a caretaker, who along with her neighbor, would let them in and out of their apartments as their living situation outside was not safe. They are now almost 8 months old. As you can see from the photos below, they are rapidly getting used to the food, comfort and toys that a forever home would bring them. Their progress would be even faster if they could be separated more from each other, and exposed to more people. If you are interested in helping to socialize these cats and others like them, whether it would be to bring them temporarily into your home, or to visit them at another foster home, please contact us through this blog, email us at tnr@treehouseanimals.org, or call us at 773-784-5488, ext. 234.

Thankful for TNR

We hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving holiday weekend! We are so thankful for all of the colony caretakers out there taking the time to feed and care for the outdoor cats. Here is a photo of Sugar Ray, a cat from one of our colonies, thankful for his holiday feast of leftover turkey and wet cat food next to his winter shelter filled with straw. Sugar Ray, initially named because of his fighting moves towards other colony cats, is slowly turning into Sugar as he has calmed down considerably since his TNR surgery in late summer. He has stopped fighting, and started to enjoy petting instead. He may turn out to be a TNA (trap, neuter, adopt) candidate, but only time will tell.

Honeypot is ready for her close-up

Honeypot is an FIV+ female feline admitted to Tree House from the King TNR Project over the summer. FIV, or feline immunodeficiency virus, is very difficult to transmit, and can be managed with a proper diet and veterinary care. Many FIV+ cats can live long, healthy lives. Honeypot's star potential was noticed right away with her Marilyn Monroe-like "mole." We also noticed how friendly Honeypot was in the trap before and after surgery. We knew she couldn't stay on the streets, and would thrive in a forever home. She has been residing in the FIV+ Room on Tree House's top floor in the Uptown location. Please contact us if you are interested in visiting Honeypot or her other FIV+ friends.

Volunteers needed for Hanover Park TNR project

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping with a TNR project in Hanover Park this Friday evening. The project involves trapping additional cats at a registered colony caretaker's yard, along with additional colonies located within the area, including behind a Menard's store. The following morning, the cats will all be TNR'ed at PAWS Chicago's Lurie Family Spay and Neuter Clinic, 3516 W. 26th Street, in Chicago. We especially need help in transporting these cats to and from Hanover Park and the clinic, but we welcome any volunteers, including those who want to learn more about TNR. Please email us at tnr@treehouseanimals.org, or call us 773-784-5488, ext. 234, if you are interested in this project.

Thanks for coming to the Caretaker Fest!

Our Feral Friends TNR Program hosted its first Feral Caretaker Fest this November. The event was a huge success, even with the cold! Thanks again to the Anti-Cruelty Society for providing the yummy pizza and refreshments. Feral cat colony caretakers came together to meet us and each other. We provided free and low-cost materials to make feral cat shelters for the cold winter months, including Rubbermaid bins, heated water bowls, styrofoam sheets, and bales of straw. We have left over materials for anyone who may be interested in purchasing more for their colonies. The photo to the right is of Bobcat and Princess, two cats from one of our own colonies that have always enjoyed the shelter bins, even by relaxing on top of them.