Robin Injured Cat - Update

We wanted to give everyone an update on Robin and how he is doing. He has been on his 2 different antibiotics for 13 days now and he is doing amazing. His old wound where the deep infection was is healing up nicely and he actually even has hair growing back. He has 7 more days to be on his antibiotics and he will than go back in for a recheck at our vet Southwest Animal Care Center to make sure it's all gone. Once he is at 100% he will go up for a adoption. Happy Endings indeed.

 

Every Soul Should Be Remembered - Peace

Today while I was in an Uber on my way to work this morning, I saw a dead cat laying in the grass off the main street Homan. My heart broke and my eyes welled up with tears. The Uber driver asked me what was wrong, and I told him. At that moment, I knew that when I got off of work, I would go back and get the poor baby. This poor cat deserves more than to lay in the grass and waste away to nothing. Isn't it bad enough that he dealt with that in life, he should not have to deal with that in death.

I asked one of our transport volunteers if she would go with me to get the cat when I got off so we can dispose of this poor soul properly. Instead since a co-worker was driving me home, I asked if he would help me instead. He obliged. I am forever grateful. Our transport volunteer met me at my house and I scanned this poor baby for a microchip. There was none. We proceeded to take her to CACC.
I've have named her Peace. I have also decided to post her picture here as a reminder of what happens when one chooses to walk away. When one chooses to not see what is in front of them. These cats are living, breathing souls with feel and who love and who hurt. It is because of these souls that WTRF was born. If more people got involved with TNR/TNA the less pictures like the one posted would be taken. TNR makes a difference. It changes lives. Less suffering, less euthanasia, less abuse. More love, more happiness, more good.

If more people donated two hours of their time to help TNR, to help transport, more lives would be saved. Less cats would be going into CACC dead and alive. Help us change these outcomes. You can do this. You have 2 hours. Help us win this battle. We can only change so much on our own, but in numbers, we can win. Please help us stop the fate that poor Peace suffered. I am begging you. Give a couple hours of your time. Help change their fate. No one should have to suffer this way. Fly the rainbow my dear Peace. I'm sorry that we couldn't help you sooner.

Volunteers Needed!

We are extremely busy and are in the need for some volunteers, especially volunteers for transport and trappers during the week. Please consider donating a day of your time to help out the cats of Chicago and help make this city a better place. If you are interested in volunteering with our organization please fill out a volunteer application today. I can't express how much the cats and the WTRF family would appreciate it! Thank you! Meow.

Lenny Goes Up For Adoption

On our way to F&C with a special delivery. After being in our care for 4 months, Lenny is finally being admitted today. If you are interested in adopting a ginger cookie, he's the one. You can check him out during their open adoption hours. He's catastic and will make a purrfect addition to your home.

Saying Goodbye to an old friend - Engywook

Engywook was one of my favorite stray cats. He came into my life 10 years ago. He was a long haired, beautiful big black boy and he was ever so sweet. He loved catnip toys to which I provided him with many. I would sit with him in my yard for hours. We actually would sit together in the rain. We would literally get soaked. You would think that most cats would run from the rain, but not him. As long as I was there, he was there.

I named him Engywook after a character in one of my favorite books. I loved him so much. I wanted to make him my own, but there was no room at the inn. So I was able to get him admitted to a no kill. I visited him often and I had a little adoption bag made up for his new parents. It had his favorite can of cat food in it and a few catnip toys with a thank you card.

I often thought about Engywook through the years and have asked my friend who worked at the shelter still if they ever had updates on him.

A few weeks ago, I received a call my friend who works at the shelter, to tell me that she got a call from his adopters that Engywook my love passed away. Again, I cried and asked many questions. I guess he had a stroke and they had to say goodbye. I felt so much sadness. The uncanny thing is when I got the call it was raining. I told my friend it was very fitting since he and I loved to sit in the rain together. Engywook my love. So glad that you were a part of my life. #soulcat

Meet Billi - Avers 63 Colony

Please meet Billi from the Avers 63 Colony. Another handsome gent that we brought in today to The Anti-Cruelty Society for his TNR vetting services. After he's done recovering from his neuter surgery, he will be returned outside to live free. However, he will be taken care of by a colony caretaker. He will be provided with food and water daily and an insulated feral cat house.  #feralfreedom #tnr

Bella A Lincolnwood Semi-Shy Cat

We would like for everyone to meet Bella. She is a 7-8month old shy cat to whom we trapped. She's currently getting her TNR/TNA vetting Services at The Anti-Cruelty Society . She's so stinking cute!

Robin the Injured Cat Gets Help From WTRF

Last week, we trapped this new boy who showed up at one of our colonies and we brought him to The Anti-Cruelty Society for his TNR vetting. Turns out, he was friendly so we put him into one of our foster homes. It also turned out that he had a bad wound on his back leg so we brought him to our vet at Southwest Animal Care Center. She took xrays of it and it showed that he has a deep infection in his leg. The skin started to heal over the wound and bacteria was still in there. Currently, he will be on 2 sets of antibiotics for 20days and will go back in for a recheck. This guy is so sweet and we can't wait till he gets back on all of his paws again.

Stetson Healing Every Day

Stetson's skin and wounds are healing up nicely which makes me happy. But what makes my heart flutter is to see him sleeping restfully in a nice cozy warm bed.

2016 What A Year!

What also made 2016 an amazing year is that we have the most spectacular supporters around. I honestly can't get over it. You all truly rock. Like seriously rock. We couldn't have done any of this without all of you. I know I say this over and over, but I really do mean it. I don't know how many times, I just shook my head in my hands, but then one of you showed me why I continue to go on doing rescue. Our rescue relies strictly on donations and you guys came through time and time again. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for being a part of our family.

I can't wait until 2017 and I can't wait to blow this town out of the water. Chicago hasn't seen anything yet. We will continue to be a force that drives through this town and we hope you join us for the ride. It sure in the hell is going to be a good one!!!

With that being said, if you would like to make a year end tax- deductible donation, you can do so here https://www.crowdrise.com/whiskers-and-tails-rescue-foundat…. Crowdrise gives us 100% of your donation. However, if you would like to make a donation via paypal, you can also do that here https://www.paypal.com/donate/…
 
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. We look forward to continuing to make a difference in the many lives of the cats of Chicago in 2017 with you by our sides. xoxo

Helping A Community Cat - Wicker Park

Just got home from dropping off a feral shelter and food for this handsome guy. Someone sent us a message about a cat sleeping on a porch in a cat bed in the Wicker Park area. It's obvious this cat has taken up residence on this property so we thought he needed a shelter that would really protect him from the elements. The gate is locked so I had to lift the feral house over the 6ft fence. I also left them a bag of food with my number. The cat was there sleeping in the cat bed when I arrived, but moved when I approached the fence. He ran over to the cat food bag as soon as I left. I didn't see any food bowls. Hopefully this will help them. I hope they contact me.

Happy Holidays From WTRF

We know that Santa came early this year for Driver and Stetson. They were indeed on Santa's good list. The WTRF family hopes that this Holiday season brings you love, peace, and happiness. We thank you for the goodwill and cheer that you have brought to us through out this year. We wish you and your families a warm and wonderful holiday and bright and happy New Year.

WTRF Shoveling Snow For Eldery Caretakers

Yesterday we spent the day going from colony to colony to shovel out snow and create clear pathways from feral shelters to feeding bins. We also did food drop offs to some eldery caretakers. Once that was complete, we went all the way to Lincolnwood to bring a feral shelter and food to help a 75yr old woman with her ferals.

WTRF still traps in winter. We believe in getting a head of kitten season.

This woman is caring for 2 ferals, one came into her house this week to whom she named Bella. We assessed Bella and believe she is semi-shy and will definitely come around with socialization. She is about 7- 8months old and has been fed since she was a kitten so she is not in total fear of people. I was able to pet Bella and she nudged her head into the pets.

We will be trapping bella and company this week.

 

Winter Tips To Keep Your Ferals Warm

With the Chicago temperatures plummeting to -20* we would like to remind everyone of some safety tips for your ferals.

1. Use plastic bowls for food & water.
Stainless Steel bowls should be replaced with plastic bowls in winter. Many people use stainless steel water / food bowls to help lower bacteria accumulation. However, stainless steel transfers cold. If your ferals touch the frozen bowl after drinking water from it, they're tongue or mouth skin can accidentally get attached to the bowl. However, if you are using a heated stainless steel bowl you should be okay. 

2. Pet friendly Salt to Melt Ice.
Regular Icing Salt that contains sodium chloride or calcium chloride can burn the paw pads and can be extremely harmful if ingested. Some other options that are safe is Safe Paw Non-Toxic Ice Melter Pet Safe. You can also use sand, but it won't help to melt the ice. Another great tip that I use is, after shoveling, lay down Styrofoam sheets near your colonies' feeding / sleeping area. Styrofoam stops the transfer of freezing cold from the concrete ground. Also, it is light weight and very easy to pick up to brush off any snow that may have fallen on it. Shovel and lay it down again.

3. Build a warm insulated feral house.
There are plenty of plans that you can find online to build a feral cat shelter. We truly believe the double bin plan with insulation in btwn is the best and provides maximum protection. Always stuff the inside bin with straw. Never stuff it with hay, blankets, or newspapers.

4. Solar Pool Covers.
You can find cheap solar pool covers on craigslist, sometimes free if there is a rip. I drape the solar pool covers on the tops and sides (not on the opening side) over my feral bin shelters. The Solar Pool Covers helps bring heat. Just remember to remove them when it starts to get warm out again.

4. Feed dry food. This will help your ferals to pack on weight which will provide them with more body insulation.
If you follow the above WTRF tips, your ferals will thank you. If you have any tips that you would like to share, please post them under this post. Remember, sharing is caring. Stay warm out there!

Stetson's Story - A Friendly Deaf Cat, Relocation Gone Wrong

Many of you have asked about Stetson's story and what it is. First and foremost we would like to say, that we are so happy that we are even able to have the chance to tell his story because its definitely one that should be told and shared with everyone. His story will at least have a happy ending, but unfortunately, there are others like him who won't.

I first want to thank some people; To my awesome team Melissa, Theresa, and Jamie who spent countless of ridiculous hours and days with me in Lower Wacker to help save him. My undying love and gratitude to you all, thank you for seeing this through with me and not giving up. To Ellen of Catvando TNR and Margaret for allowing me to borrow their drop traps on this mission, To Dave for all the drop trap video tips and putting the fear in me, even though I broke all the rules.To all of our supporters who sent their pawsitive vibes our way. Thank you everyone. And now on to Stetson's story...

Trap-Neuter-RETURN, Trap-Neuter-ADOPT this is what we believe in. This is what we practice. Then there is Community Cats at Work. This is not something that we have practiced and although we see the benefits of this ONLY if a cat or colony is in imminent danger. We believe that with relocation comes the responsibility of doing the relocation correctly. When I first saw the pictures provided of Stetson before we went to try to save him, I noticed his left ear looked like it was tipped, the signature sign of a TNR cat. I prayed that it wasn't. How can a TNR cat end up in Lower Wacker Drive? Well upon his save, he was indeed ear tipped and microchipped. Doing much research on Stetson's story, we found out that a very well known shelter that practices Community Cats at Work, relocated cats to Lower Wacker Drive. We find this to be utterly disgusting.

It is our opinion, that NO cats should EVER be relocated to any place remotely even like Lower Wacker Drive. We find this despicable and completely unacceptable. How can anyone in their right mind think that this location is an acceptable one for a cat to live in? There is No answer to this question that we would find to be an acceptable one to why you would relocate a cat down there. The locations are underground with no light and no fresh air. The locations are filled with grease dumpsters and exhaust fans. No cats should ever live in such an atmosphere with those conditions, EVER. NEVER, EVER, EVER.

Just from the amount of time we spent down there in a car waiting all those hours, our clothes reaked of smell, our eyes took a long time adjusting when we would leave and go out in the day light. These cats do not get to leave, they live there full time. What do you think they go through? it's deplorable. Stetson had rashes all over his stomach, hind legs, on his back, etc because of these conditions. Is this what is best for him? I think not. Stetson nor any other cat that was relocated there should have ever have to go through this. There are better options.

Rescue is supposed to be just that, rescue. It's supposed to be about doing what is best for the animal, not the $300 fee that goes along with the cat. It's not supposed to about the notoriety of the save. People need to start being held responsible for their poor decisions and this is a big one. People need to start questioning others and their decisions and standing up and saying this is NOT acceptable. We need to protect the future of other cats.

I want you to look at the pictures of where Stetson was living and you make the decision if you think it's okay for a cat to be relocated there? Do you think it's okay for a cat to live in these conditions? We are sure there will be some backlash regarding our post, but we don't care. We are here to do what is in the best interest of these cats. We have to be a voice and we are willing to fight tooth and nail for these cats and them getting the best care that they deserve. They are not 2nd hand citizens. What is wrong is wrong and this my dear friends is wrong. It's as simple as that.

Since Stetson has been in my care for 5 days, he continuously lets me pet him and makes biscuits the whole time. He also falls out of his basket bed when doing so. I'm pretty sure he would agree with me that the life he just left behind, was never a life that should have been chosen for him in the first place.