ICS Membership Incentives - click here for info and the February Winning Member

ICS Sweethearts Contest!

Annie: Catty Comments is pleased to bring you the crowning ceremony for our new, ICS SWEETHEART 2010, Geoffrey! Geoffrey earned this honor with his laid back and loving purrsonality, so, without further ado- CHESTER! Where are you?

Chester: I’m busy.

Annie: What do mean you’re busy? You‘re supposed to turn over the Sweetheart crown!

Chester: I can’t find it! Ah…..Arlo ate it!

Annie: That’s a load, Chester. JAYDEN!

Jayden: I’m on it, Annie!

(HISS!!!%^&^%^&GROWLHISS%^!!!)

Chester: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT! Here I come. Can’t a guy enjoy his moment of fame a little bit before it’s all taken away?

Annie: No. Your 15 minutes are up. Geoffrey, you were the number One Sweetheart, raising $627.75 all by yourself!

Geoffrey: Glad to be of service! First of all, I’d like to thank my campaign manager Chris and all the wonderful people who voted for me. But, I cannot keep the crown because I have some amazing news: I’ve been adopted by a fantastic family. Gina too!

Annie: That’s wonderful! That’s quite some prize for you two!

Geoffrey: It sure is! It’s the one we all want and I hope all my friends at the shelter get the same chance soon. They are all winners! What about the 1st Runner-Up? I need to pass the crown on so I can go back to my wonderful new home.

Annie: Congratulations again Geoffrey, and we’ll all miss you and Gina. FLUFFY!!! FLUFFY!!!! FLUFFY??? Will somebody please go wake her up?

Callie: I’ll go get her. Fluffy! Fluffy! Wake up! You won!!! You’re the Sweetheart!!!!

Fluffy: (Yawn) I won? What did I win?

Annie: You’re the new ICS Sweetheart 2010! Geoffrey won but he got adopted, so you’re it. Time to receive the crown, Your Sweetness!

Fluffy: Wow. I had no idea. Just imagine! Well, I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me- I’m just thrilled and humbled. Did I have a campaign manager?

Annie: Yes, you did; Beverly, your room mom. She’ll also see that you and all of Disco get the extra-large Party Size Calico Corny’s Crazy Country Catnip that you won.

Fluffy: Oh! I think I remember her brushing me…or was that a dream? Anyway, I’d like to thank her very much. Also my good friend Autumn, the well-known SAC Spokescat who always believed in me. We’ll all enjoy that catnip, too!

Annie: I’m sure you will, but I’m wondering if a nice latte might be a better idea! Sorry, Fluffy, but you do tend to fall….

Fluffy: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………………….

Annie: There goes her crown on the floor. Could somebody get that please?

Callie: Sure, Annie. Glad to help.

Annie: Stay here, Callie. Catty Comments is very happy to announce that YOU, Callie, have been designated Miss Congeniality 2010 for always being such a kind, loveable cat, and talented, too. We all get a kick out of the way you can wag your tail like a dog!

Callie: Why, thank you! This really means a lot to me!

Annie: See? There goes that tail! How cute is that? Well, that’s about all for the 2010 ICS Sweetheart Awards Ceremony. We’d just like to thank all the hard-working and creative campaign managers, Staci who helped with videos, and of course Stephanie who took the pictures. And let’s not forget the voters who really came out and supported their candidates, to a total of $2758.75!

And that’s the scoop for now!

Geoffrey

Geoffrey is a handsome hunk of cat with an uncanny resemblance to a certain fabulous male romance novel model. Vote for Geoffrey for some TRUE romance!

Fluffy

Fluffy loves to nap, but then her beautiful looks are just dreamy! Will you make her dreams come true and give her your vote?

Kit Kat

Kit Kat is sweeter than a Kit Kat bar and a thousand times cuter. Give Kit Kat a break and your vote and see just how sweet she can be!

Romeow

Romeow is just not another pretty face - he is handsome, intelligent and yes, sweet! He just loves attention and even being held and cuddled. Vote for Romeow and he'll cuddle up to YOU!

Wilbur

Wilbur not only has stunning good looks, but has a loving and affectionate purrsonality to boot. Wilbur is well known around the shelter for wrapping his arms around people for a wonderful "cat hug". Would you like a hug from Wilbur? Vote for him and get ready for great BIG hug!

Gina

Gina is a sensation with her luxurious white fur set off with chic calico accents. Vote for Gina and this fashion-forward feline will walk the catwalk with you!

Callie

Callie is a colorful cutie who just loves attention. Give her your vote and color her happy!

Pauly

Pauly loves people, and especially having his tummy rubbed. Pauly's campaign promise is a free tummy rub with every vote!

SWEETHEART CONTEST FINAL TALLY:

1st Place - Geoffrey $627.75

2nd Place - Fluffy $518.70

3rd Place - Wilbur $384.75

4th Place - KitKat $316.75

5th Place - Romeow $294.75

6th Place - Pauly $272.75

7th Place - Callie $215.75

8th Place - Gina $127.75

Geoffrey has a message for everyone that voted for him;

"Geoffrey would like to thank everyone that voted for him. He will be unable to accept the Sweetheart title because he has some great news. Geoffrey was adopted last weekend by a wonderful family and is enjoying his new home. For that reason, he is happy to relinquish his crown to Fluffy and hopes that she, as well as all the other cats in the Shelter, gets new homes this year."

Gina also has some wonderful news. She too was adopted last weekend by the same wonderful family. She too wishes the same happiness for all the other candidates and cats waiting at the shelter.

We at the ICS also want to thank everyone for their votes and support of the candidates and hope that you will continue to spread the word about our shelter and our wonderful cats. THANK YOU!

Feeling Lucky?

We will hold a Lucky 50/50 Raffle beginning January 30th. For people who may not be aware of how a 50/50 raffle works, the winner will be awarded half of the proceeds of the raffle, and the other half goes for the care and support of our cats. Tickets will cost $2 for one or three for $5, and will be for sale at the shelter during adoption hours or by mail.

To order by mail, please send the ticket request to ICS 50/50 raffle, P.O. Box 735, Westville, IN 46391, and make the check payable to the Independent Cat Society with a note in the memo line saying “Lucky 50/50 Raffle”. Also, please enclose a note with your name, address, telephone #, and email address, if possible. Tickets will be sent by return mail, and the drawing will be held on April 3^rd, 2010 at the shelter. The winner need not be present and will be notified by phone or email.

Help – Supplies Needed!!

Spring is just around the corner - and with the cold snowy days of winter finally disappearing, so are our everyday supplies. We are in desperate need of supplies to care for our cats and to keep the shelter running. The following items are needed:

● paper plates

● paper towels

● toilet paper

● laundry detergent (preferably unscented)

● dryer softener sheets

● extra large plastic garbage bags

● cat treats

● clay cat litter

● dry cat food

● canned cat food (Fancy Feast or Friskies [ground flavors])

We can also use small plastic or stoneware bowls (the size that would be used for feeding babies or children’s’ toy dishes).

Paper Towels

Garbage Bags

Laundry Detergent

CatFood

Please drop off your donations at our shelter located at County Line Road and Route 6 in Westville, Indiana during our shelter hours: Saturday 10 am to 4 pm or Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm, or contact us for other arrangements at (219) 785-4936. Monetary donations also gratefully accepted. All donations are tax deductible.

On behalf of all the volunteers and cats at the ICS we truly thank you!

Permanent Foster Homes Urgently Needed

The Independent Cat Society is asking for your help. We have an "urgent" need for permanent foster homes for our chronic care cats. These are usually older cats that may need daily medicine, a little extra TLC and would benefit a lot just from having a home of their own and being out of the shelter environment.

All medical and food expenses will be paid for by Independent Cat Society. All 0you would need to provide is a room where they can be separate from your other pets, at least until they have become acclimated to your home, a vehicle so that you can transport them to and from the shelter or the vets for appointments and most importantly you must have the time and love to give to them. If you have previous experience of some kind - even if it's just medicating your own pets and being observant to their needs and symptoms that would be a plus.

If you are interested in finding out more about being a permanent foster parent, please contact our shelter at (219) 785-4936 and leave a message with your name and telephone number and advising that you are interested in helping one of our chronic care cats, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. I guess, when you think of it, it's a really good and easy way to help some of our local cats in need. Won't you please help us by calling today and opening your heart and home to one of these special cats?

Cinda needs a foster home!

Cinda

Cinda is a lovely 10 year old, front de-clawed, tortie that is looking for a permanent foster home to retire in. Cinda came to ICS when her owner went into a nursing home. She did not adjust well to shelter life and became very sick when she stopped eating. As a result, she was placed into a temporary foster home to get the care and TLC that she needed to recover.

Cinda has recovered fully and is looking for a permanent foster home to call her own! She is looking for a quiet home where her owner can watch to make sure she is happy and eating well. She would do best in a home with no other cats.

Cinda still plays with her toys, much like a kitten; and loves to snuggle in bed with people- always fluffing the covers (or you!) with her tiny paws.

If you’re interested in helping Cinda, please call (219) 785-4936 for more information about our foster care program. Thank you!

Meet Petey...

Petey is a handsome long haired black and white cat. Petey is also one of the faces of FeLV, or Feline Leukemia. This photo doesn't do him justice, but the video at this link does:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjflDiYt40Q

Petey needs a home, either as an only cat or as a companion to other FeLV+ cats. Petey had FeLV+ companions earlier in the year but they passed... then Petey had Sylvester, another affectionate black and white, but Sylvester passed, too... now Petey is alone again, and as you can see, he needs companionship.

He is extremely affectionate, and not just with his caretakers. He's that way with anyone who has hands to pet... he is enegetic and playful, and cries when he is lonely.

Petey is asymptomatic at this point, and his bloodwork is completely normal. FeLV can reside in a cat's bone marrow for many, many years before manifesting itself... it may show suddenly, or never at all. Such is the way with FeLV, and we don't know at this point what course it will take for Petey. We do know that he needs more companionship than we can give him at this moment. He is a young cat, just over a year old, and he may have many, many years of happy-living and making you laugh.

FeLV is strictly a feline disease... it CANNOT be transmitted to humans or dogs. If you want to make a difference in Petey's life, please consider adopting him. Our knowledgeable staff can guide you through the process of adopting and caring for this very special boy.

Why adopt a kitten from ICS?

Because when you adopt a kitten from ICS, you get a new family member who has been lovingly raised in a foster home so they have the chance to be socialized and friendly. We will often have an idea of their personalities, because we take getting to know our kittens seriously. Often, you can even meet their mom!

You will also get a kitten that has been checked by a veterinarian for any health problems. If there are any, they are disclosed to the potential adopters. You know that your new friend has already been spayed or neutered, had all their shots, been treated for fleas, worms, or ear mites, tested for FIV and FeLV and even had an identification tattoo or microchip! While they were in foster homes, they have been eating high-quality kitten food. When you take home your adorable little bundle of fur, they have the best possible chance for a healthy start. And don't forget, you also get one free vet visit after adoption for a check-up.

We're there to back you up if you have any questions or problems in the future. We want very badly for your home to be forever. If however, a problem arises that cannot be solved, the cat has a home at ICS.

Can you believe all of this is only $75?

See why you should adopt TWO kittens.

kitten-promo-1

Why NOT adopt a kitten from ICS?

BLING FLING!

Donors are asked to bring their broken pieces or unwanted gold or silver jewelry, single earrings or good costume jewelry to the shelter any week-end day. This jewelry will then be recycled in various ways to support the shelter.

Cafe Cat

NEW!!!

Cafe Cat at Cafepress.com! You can buy t-shirts and gift items with ICS logos and some of our gorgeous cats! Your purchase will help support ICS, and we think you will really enjoy the products. You can also help by spreading the word around.

http://www.cafepress.com/catsociety

Volunteers Needed!

Helping Hands to Assist the Evening Medicating Staff

Do you have an evening to spare? Do you love cats? The Independent Cat Society needs helping hands to assist the evening medicating staff. This would include helping with special feedings, doing laundry, grooming and general cat care duties with the potential to learn basic medication procedures. You'll meet some fabulous felines and have the opportunity to provide much needed care. It is a chance to make a difference for every cat you meet.

If you are interested in helping our wonderful cats please call the shelter at 219-785-4936 and leave your name and phone number, or stop in on Saturday from 10 AM -4 PM and Sunday from 1-4 PM. You may also use our online form.