Division St 25 Colony TNR/TNA Update

Since starting this project the last week of May (2016), to date we have vetted 16 cats at the Division St 25 colony location. We have returned 12 (ferals) of those cats back to the alley and admitted 4 (friendlies) of them to a no kill shelter who have all since been adopted out.
 

 

Most of the cats in this alley were females, so we are so happy that we were able to get them spayed and vetted to help end the cycle. It also warms our hearts that we were able to help the friendly cats that lived in this alley on their path to find their forever new indoor loving homes and help them find their new beginnings. We will continue to manage this alley.

Cicero Adopted!

Marilla & Atticus Adopted!

Tiberius Adopted!

 

When Someone Asks For Help For 2 Years, WTRF Steps In

This poor colony caretaker has been asking another shelter for help with TNR for 2 years!!! Yes, you read that right 2 years and they did nothing and now the colony has exploded. Well, she doesn't have to wait any longer, WTRF will be stepping up to the plate and will provide her with the help that she needs to get this colony all TNR'd. She has set up a fundraiser under our Crowdrise to try to raise some much needed funds for their vetting. If you can donate, we would really appreciate it. There are more than 20 cats here and there are a few pregnant ones. In fact, one just gave birth a week ago. We could use all the help we can get with this. Here is the Crowdrise link with her personal story if you would like to donate https://www.crowdrise.com/please-help-tnr-these-southside-f… Thanks in advance!!!

Please meet Obie our newest admission to a no kill shelter. This guy is ridiculous! We are all soooo in love with him. He's sooo loving and affectionate, an absolute lap cat. He was found on the Northwest side and was filled with fleas and worms. We brought him to the vet and him treated and vaccinated. He then went into a foster home for a couple of months until we could place him in a no kill. We can't wait to report when he finds his forever home.

Another Day, Another Cat Trapped And Admitted

Not only did we vet and admit a homeless cat today (Obie), but we also trapped these cuties last night who were vetted today at ACS. Esmeralda is from the Division St 25 colony and the other is Jinx is from the EG colony who is lives in a home but is let out all the time.

Lost Cat?

I get asked quite a bit to help people find their Lost Cats. In the past month alone, I have been asked about 10 times and I've helped every single time. I spend many hours doing so by counseling owners on what to do and where to look, borrowing traps, following up to see if there are any updates, and continuously reassuring owners not to give up that they can and will find their lost cats. I'm always amazed how quickly so many people come together to help the owners of these lost cats. People who have never met go out looking for hours for these cats and they spread the word all over the internet. It's absolutely amazing and it's such a wonderful thing. However, at the same time it consistently breaks my heart. To be honest, It absolutely devastates me.

You see I deal with lost cats every single day. Just a different kind of a lost cat. I deal with the cats who live on the streets and have to find a warm safe place to sleep every night. I deal with the lost cat who has to find his own food and who is at risk every minute. I deal with the lost cat who you choose to just walk by and not bat your eye at. I deal with ferals and a feral is a lost cat in every sense of the word. Every week I plead and ask for people to help me trap these lost cats so we can get them vetted and make them healthy. Every week I plead and ask for people to help me recover these lost cats in a basement or garage for a day or two so they can get well from their surgery. Every week I plead and ask for people to spread the word about us and how we help these "lost cats". However, my cries and pleas go unanswered. No one jumps in to help them. Everyone continues to ignore our lost cats.

What makes an indoor lost cat any different then ours? Why are you so quick to jump in and help an indoor lost cat, but yet you can ignore the outdoor ones? Our lost cats came from your lost cats. Are our cats any less of a lost cat because they live outside and not indoors? Do they not still love, purrr, and hurt the same? You tell me what the difference is? You tell me and them why they don't matter and another cat does? Why?

Recovery Space / Volunteer Needed

WTRF wants to step up our game and add and additional trapping day each week. However, I'm already doing the recovery on the weekends, so we are looking for someone who would be willing to do the recovery for us during the week. Do you have a garage or basement that you would be willing to put our cats in while they recover from their surgeries and be willing to take care of them for 1 day males, 2 days females? We will do all the transporting (from clinic to recovery spot) and we will provide you with all of the recovery supplies. It would really mean a lot to us and the cats. If you are interested, have any questions, or would like more details please let us know. You can message us on Facebook or email us at info@whiskersandtailsfoundation.org Thanks!

Archie Has Been Adopted

Caturday news... Did we mention that Archie from our Artesian 14 colony was admitted to F&C on Wednesday? Yep, he sure was. Oh and did we mention that he was adopted today? Yep, he sure was. #uhhuhthatsrightyepwtrfdoesitright

When The Community Makes It Difficult To TNR - Divsion 25 Colony Project

Sayre and I went back to the Division St 25 Colony to trap some more cats, kitten galore. Unfortunately, there is a house on this block that is rather difficult and does not want to cooperate with us. They don't understand the whole T-N-R program and just believe we are taking the cats and not bringing them back. We were screamed at by an older gentlemen threatening to call the police on us and told us we were causing trouble. We stood our ground. I told the one gentlemen that I didn't appreciate his wife spreading false information to a neighbor which led to us being screamed at. 

I have explained to them our process and he see's me in that alley consistently trapping, but is never around when I do the release. I showed him the ear tipped cats. One of the cats we did provide TNR services to, who I call Momma (aka Cleopatra), came out and he noticed how nice and plump she has gotten since her vetting services. I told him this is why we do what we do, she is now healthy. He went on to inform me that he saw a cat in the alley with what he believes to be a broken leg. I told him that by him telling me about this injured cat, he knows I am doing right by them. I told him that I will continue to be in that alley until all the cats have been vetted. I then told him when I would be releasing the kitten that I just trapped and if he is there at that time to see it great, but he informed me he will be at work. So I told him I guess he needs to take me at his word. The true upsetting thing is, we should have been able to trap 3 kittens 4-5months of age, but because they caused such a ruckus and were loud we were only able to get one. I wonder if the full moon had something to do with it?

I would like for everyone to meet Silas or Sila depending on the sex (I think the kitty is a male). He is at ACS this morning getting his TNR Services and will be released back to the Division St 25 colony after his recovery.

Every Friday Is Feral Friday!

Dr. Watson says Happy Feral Friday!!!

Volunteer Highlight - Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday...

I want to take this Thursday to recognize our wonderful volunteer Jamie. Jamie always jumps right in to help out WTRF in any way she can. She volunteers at our events, does transport for surgeries and for returns, makes calls, etc. She has been a key player from the beginning. I consistently give her a hard time and she takes it all in with an open mind. Jamie, I appreciate you and all of the hard work you put in. Thanks for being a part of the WTRF team!

Black Cat Appreciation Day!

The WTRF family would like to wish everyone a Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day! Unfortunately, Black cats are the least likely to get adopted in shelters today due to past stigmas... superstitions, witches could turn into cats, black cats are bad luck, black cats are harder to see. Here at Whiskers & Tails we believe black cats are mystical and should be celebrated every day. Did you know that black cats were looked as good fortune and always thought to bring a sailor home from voyage? And to dream of a black cat is thought by many people to be a lucky omen? Lets change that stigma ‪#blackcatsrule 

 

My Yard A Stray Cat Refuge

Old feral Mr. Grey enjoying a nice relaxing lay in my garden among the flowers.

DRIVER / LEON TEAGUE Court Update

I apologize about not posting an update sooner, but as you can see we have been extremely busy. However, I wanted to give everyone an update on the Leon Teague / Driver Court Case. The last court case date was Aug. 2nd and Leon Teague did not show up for court. Therefore, a warrant has been put out for his arrest. That is all I will say for now since this is a Public page and eyes are watching. I promise you that I will continue to see this to the end, it didn't stop the night we went out to trap him and I will continue to live my life being a voice for the voiceless. NEVER forget this image. This is a reality to what happens everyday and it is up to US to make a difference. Join the fight with me. #donteverforget #saysomethingdosomething

 

The NEW UIC Mascot!!

Whiskers & Tails Rescue Foundation has diligently been working with UIC College to trap a feral at their pavilion location. We pre-baited a trap for a week to ensure her capture and set it last night. I would like for you all to meet Mopsy, the new mascot of UIC. She had her TNR services at ACS today and will be recovering with me for the weekend and will go back to UIC after. We are so glad that the staff and team at UIC are pro-tnr. Mopsy is very well cared for and the staff at UIC are eager for her to come back. Who said cats don't go to College?

Lady Has Been Adopted!

Here's to a feel good Friday. Let's all congratulate Lady on finding her forever home. We wish her and her new family a life full of love, pets, hugs, and kisses! #anothersuccessstory

An Easy Way To Support WTRF Through Just A Click Of A Button

Did you know that you can help WTRF earn a $20.oo donation by just using Chewy.com for the first time?! That's right. It's that easy. You can buy all of your fur babies needs at Chewy. It has Free next day delivery with any orders over $49.oo. Long gone are the days having to drag that 40lb bag of litter or 38lb of dog food around. Now you can have it delivered straight to your door. However, make sure you go through our landing page so we can receive the donation (at no cost to you) https://www.chewy.com/rp/3606 Humphfrey gives Chewy a paws up and said you will too!

Humphfrey enjoys his Chewy packages

When City Officials Support Our Cause

We would like to recognize and give a HUGE thank you to Alderman Joe Moreno of the 1st Ward for supporting Whiskers & Tails Rescue Foundation! Thank you for not just supporting us, but for believing in such an important cause and for continually fighting to make the City of Chicago no kill. We have done an enormous amount of TNR and TNA and still continue to do so and find important when all members of the community come together.

 

Maintance - Artesian 14 Colony

The WTRF team was out trapping last night at a colony that we have been managing for a few years. We went by Saturday to feed and noticed right away we had some newbies, so we jumped right into action. Please meet Offenbacher, Engler, and Archie from the Artesian 14 Colony. They are all getting their TNR Services at ACS today.

Tuesday Thought... TNR Means Less Cats In Animal Care And Control

Here's a Tuesday thought..... If we had more people trapping with us, helping to do recovery, and making donations, we would have LESS cats in Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) which means less cats being euthanized. If you are interested in helping us trap, doing recovery, or would like to make a donation. Please contact us. We CAN and WILL make a difference.

Jer-Bear Now Finn, A 2Yr Adoption Update

Jer-Bear was a Trap-Neuter-Adopt that I did 2 years ago in July. He was adopted by Beth & Charles and renamed Finn. It has been a purrfect love story ever since. Beth keeps in touch and often gives me updates on Finn. Which I love. It's such an amazing feeling to see what was to what is. It consistently confirms the differences that are being made in community cats' lives. Take a look at his before and after.

Jer-Bear when he lived on the streets 2 years ago right before he was adopted in 2014

Jer-Bear now named Finn enjoying peak a boo time in his home 2yrs later

Jer-Bear now Finn says he prefers comfy blankets to the hard cold cement any day