OPEN YOUR HEART EVENT on Feb. 13th - click here for info

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

50-50 raffle cat 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.

ICS Sweethearts Contest!

They're here! The 2010 ICS Sweethearts are strutting their stuff and looking to win your vote.

Please vote for the cat you feel is sweetest by donating in any amount in their name.

You can vote online via Paypal, by mail, or by dropping it off at the shelter. Voting will continue through February, and the winner announced the first week in March on the website and in the shelter, and will appear in the Mewsletter. The winner will be the glamourpuss who raises the most money. The victorious kitty will receive a bag of catnip and a new toy. So be a sweetie and vote for your favorite fabulous feline today!

If using PayPal, please put the name of the Sweetheart(s) you chose in the "Payment for" box.

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 STANDINGS AS OF 2-5-10:

First Place – Geoffrey

Second Place – Kit Kat

Third Place – Gina

Fourth Place – Wilbur

Fifth Place -- Romeow, Pauly and Fluffy (tied)

Sixth Place – Callie

Please vote now for your favorite ICS Sweetheart of the Year!!

SWEETHEART CONTEST CANDIDATES DEBATE!

Our own Catty Commentator Annie asks each of the candidates the crucial question.

Annie: Why do you feel you should be chosen as ICS Sweetheart of the Year?

Wilbur: Because I am the purrfect choice. I have everything a winner needs: good looks, charm and lots of love to give. Vote for Wilbur for Sweetheart of the Year.

Geoffrey: All the ladies love me and I'm tired of "nice guys finishing last." Vote for Geoffrey and prove that nice guys can be Winners!!!!!

Fluffy: I am too refined a lady to participate in any “litter slinging” campaigns. Vote for Fluffy, a real “lady” and Autumn’s personal Sweetheart.

Callie: Even “Wild Women” deserve a second chance. Vote for Callie and make this wild woman your Sweetheart of the Year.

Gina: Gorgeous chunky Italian women make better sweethearts. Sophia Loren has nothing on me. Vote for Gina for Sweetheart of the Year.

Kit Kat: Candy is dandy but you won’t find anyone sweeter. Vote for Kit Kat for Sweetheart of the Year.

Pauly: Because everyone loves a big cuddly boy that loves to have his tummy rubbed. Vote for Pauly for Sweetheart of the Year.

Romeow: Everyone loves a lover. Just like my namesake, Romeo, I am the ladies choice. Let me be yours too. Vote for Romeow for Sweetheart of the Year.

Annie: That’s it from the candidates. Now please, everyone vote for the kitty of your choice for ICS Sweetheart of the Year. On behalf of all the kitties at ICS – We Truly Thank You!

kitten w red toy

KITTENS LEFT BEHIND

Didn’t get everything you wanted for Christmas? Imagine that the only thing you really wanted was a home of your own. This year, many kittens watched hopefully as their luckier littermates and friends were joyfully claimed by excited adopters. But in the end, for these little ones it just didn’t happen. We have lots of kittens still available. We have kittens of all ages, colors and sizes. We have young kittens who are still in foster care, we have kittens that are in our shelter and ready to go home, and we have “teenage” kittens who have been overlooked because they are not “little” but are still cute bundles of fur that love to play. Won’t you come visit our shelter today and meet some of these cuties? Or browse the website and see the many kittens and the adult cats we have that were “left behind” after the Christmas adoption rush. They are all waiting for that special person to choose them and give them the loving home they are so anxiously looking for...

Our Adoption Hours are Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sundays 1 pm to 4 pm. Or call for more information (219) 785-4936

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.