EffiBear update

We recently received a nice update on Effi, one of our alumni from 2010. He's now BEAR. Furrever mom writes in that "Effie-Bear is thriving. He's more fun than any cat I've ever had. He has a great personality, is loving, AND likes puppy training treats!!!! JAcKPOT!"

Thank you so much to Nemo Jamez -- and his humans -- who recently donated in memory of those who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Nemo's people took the time to come to Hyde Park on their drive through the city westward for the holidays and stop with a very generous donation for Hyde Park Cats and Animal Welfare League -- a generous donation of cat food, dog food, litter, and assorted goodies.


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Are you looking to make an end-of-year gift to an organization that makes a difference? Consider Hyde Park Cats! Over the last 4.5 years, using only volunteer hours and donated dollars, we have found furrever homes for 300 cats who would otherwise be on the streets. We have spay/neutered hundreds of cats, leading to a reduction in the homeless cat population in our slice of the world. And we've made a stronger community!

Tax-deductible donations can be made directly to Tree House Humane Society, the low-cost spay/neuter clinic where we have the majority of our veterinary care done, for the exclusive use of Hyde Park Cats. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please send a check to:

Tree House Humane Society Bucktown Branch
ATTN: Doug Stoltzfus
1629 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

Checks should be made out to Tree House Humane Society with Hyde Park Cats designated in the memo line. These donations will be used directly toward spay, neuter and vaccination veterinary services for Hyde Park Cats ferals and friendlies. Please note that to be credited to the Hyde Park Cats account, donations must be sent to Doug at the Bucktown Branch of Tree House as specified above.

Sheba

Sheba came inside right before Halloween, and proven to be just a lovely and easy housecat. Fostermom says "she's perfect."  Sheba is a very relaxed and friendly young girl cat, surely not even one year old. She is the perfect family pet; very sweet and relaxed with children. She enjoys being held and petted, but can also amuse herself. She has been fostered with a relaxed dog and is friendly with the dog as well. Sheba is a very shiny black cat with a bright white medallion on her chest. It's not too late to end 2012 the best way possible -- with a new furry family member! 

Xmas for Cats

A merry Christmas to our Christmas-celebrating friends. Above is a photo of Theo, previously U-Haul. Furrever mom says "Theo is MYSTIFIED by the holiday lights. He loves to stare and stare at them. I'm thrilled to share my first holiday season with him as a family. 

Theo could care less about toys from stores. His favorite games involve crumpled up pages from magazines and hiding under covers. He also knows the words "snack" and "snuggle." 

Sometimes Saxby drives Theo a little crazy. (Saxby can't hear and he doesn't meow, so I've seen them have all kinds of misunderstandings.) But Theo has recently started to lick Saxby's coat which is so sweet. Saxby is too old to clean himself so I run over his coat with a damp washcloth. Saxby hates the washcloth but loves it when Theo gives him a good once-over. It just shows how kind Theo is and that even though Saxby frustrates him sometimes he's figuring out that we're a family. 


Last story - whenever I'm out of town for work I have a pet sitter stay over. It took Theo awhile to trust her but now he really likes her. She said the funniest thing to me the other day. She said "Theo just has SO MANY FEELINGS." I laughed so hard because it's so true. That's exactly why he was so tough to care for in foster care! He has so many FEELINGS! I thought you would get a kick out of that."

Oh we do, furrever mom. We sure do. 

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Thank you so much to Nemo Jamez -- and his humans -- who recently donated in memory of those who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Nemo's people took the time to come to Hyde Park on their drive through the city westward for the holidays and stop with a very generous donation for Hyde Park Cats and Animal Welfare League -- a generous donation of cat food, dog food, litter, and assorted goodies. 

Merry Xmas!

last minute gift-giving: ok!

THERE IS STILL TIME to get a gift and have it delivered for Christmas! Hyde Park Cats has electronic gift certificates available! Two options: we can send your recipient a beautifully formatted email directly from us, letting them know you donated in their name. OR we can email you something you can print out (perhaps to hang on a tree).

Email hydeparkcats@gmail.com.

JJ and Reginald -- updates! Video!

Just a couple weeks ago we wrote about how Juliet and her family successfully trapped two street cats. As sometimes happens, the cat who was so afraid of you on the street turns out to be a sort of marshmallow who melts your heart once safely inside. JJ and Reginald are both friendlies. Right now they're being isolated in bathrooms because Juliet can't bear to put them back on the street! If you are interested in fostering or applying to adopt, please write hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com. Reginald and JJ are not a pair and should be adopted separately.
 
Juliet writes:

"Reginald is about 1 year old. He is AMAZINGLY friendly and great with kids. Reginald deserves a forever home rather than a life on the streets. He is a gem"

https://vimeo.com/55700107
https://vimeo.com/55700291

"JJ is waaaaay too friendly to be put out on the street. And he is FIV+. There are few cats that are friendlier than JJ. He communicates so well and is a total love bug. Can you be the greatest love of his life?"

https://vimeo.com/55653376
https://vimeo.com/55655613

Xmas Gifts from HPC / Topaz

Need a holiday gift?

Well, we don't believe in giving cats as gifts. But Topaz here would love to be your gift to yourself this Christmas! She's a wonderful darling girl who has been waiting patiently for a furrever home. Wouldn't you like to wake up to this beauty under your tree? Apply today at hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com!

Not ready to adopt Topaz, or need a gift for someone else?  We have electronic gift certificates available! Two options: we can send your recipient a beautifully formatted email directly from us, letting them know you donated in their name. OR we can email you something you can print out (perhaps to hang on a tree).

Your blog writer is Jewish and will be emailing these right through Christmas Day!

Email hydeparkcats@gmail.com.

Dolly

A beautiful offering from Heather S., our TNR partner in the Pullman neighborhood.

Dolly was once an emaciated, filthy kitty, covered with dirt and oil and living in the underside of an abandoned car in Roseland.  You would never guess upon meeting her a few months ago that she would become the healthy, vivacious, fuzzy creampuff that she is today.  Dolly was not quite sure a few months ago how to handle being pet and loved on, but she now demands it and often goes into a drooling, purring trance when getting a good scratch behind the ears.  She is friendly, curious, and playful, and has just started to figure out how fun kitty toys can be, particularly sticks with strings or feathers attached.  Dolly loves attention and being around people now but can still be a little leery of too much manhandling.  Dolly has been around kids ages 8-12 and has been great, but is not a fan of tail pulls (no surprises there).  She has a sweet, independent personality and is very happy to be warm and fed and inside with people.  She is waiting for her forever home!

Hey! Thanks donors Anna F., Mike H., Juliet H. and Barbara S.! Gifts like yours keep us in the "fixings." Hahahahaha!

Lily

Nyameche wrote in over the weekend to say "I found the sweetest stray cat today on my back porch. He or she (I'm not sure which) came to me as soon as I saw him or her. It immediately began mewling and cuddling. I fed it and have it set up with a litter box. It had a collar, but it was filthy and had no tags. The cat is also filthy and is nearly skin and bones. I gave it a bath to the best of my abilities, but I'm really bad at bathing cats. So now it is still dirty and also damp. However, despite the bath it is still so sweet and good-humored and hardly leaves my lap (this could be because it is so chilly from the bath, though)." 

This kitty is now called Lily and you can see how pleased she seems with her box and its proximity to the radiator. We will get this girl some veterinary care today. Thank you to the Nyameches of the world, who have care and compassion for the filthy hungry small beings who appear on their doorsteps.

And thank you to some recent donors -- Julie S. and James M., thanks! To Martha B., as always a shaynem dank. And to Nathan LaP., a huge purry thanks.

JJ and Reginald -- trapped!

 















Juliet lives on the northern edge of Hyde Park. She wrote in recently to say "We've taken to feeding two stray cats on our porch. One is all black and appears to have been TNR'd as its left ear is tipped. The other is gray and probably was abandoned as s/he wears a collar that is much to small and tight for it. We have heated food and water bowls for them." Well this morning Juliet send these photos -- trapped! Ready to go to Treehouse for any necessary veterinary work!


Juliet says "JJ has the sweet meow ever ... I think he has the potential to be someone's housecat."  Good work Juliet! 

Cassie and Kio are waiting!

Kio and Cassie are an adorable brother/sister pair. Kio is a boisterous young guy who loves a good romp around the apartment and bird watching out the window. Fostermom says "Kio even greets me as soon as I get home with a unique little meow letting me know he wants a hug before I do anything else (he may just want his dinner but I like to think he enjoys my hugs)! Cassie is a little quieter, but as soon as I sit down for even a minute she'll snuggle into my lap and purr away. She really enjoys being groomed and scratched under the chin. They make quite the couple and are always either cuddling together or chasing each other! They're going to make some cat owner very lucky, between the two of them there is so much personality!"

Because this is a bonded pair, they must be adopted together; however, we will waive the second fee. Email us at hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com to meet these loving siblings!

Thanks a million purrs to recent donors Sheila R., Mike H., and Jennifer P.

special project: 45 cats, 1 house

Hyde Park Cats is partnering with Tree House Humane Society to help vet and eventually re-home 45 indoor cats. A well-meaning individual with very limited resources, took in a pregnant female 6 years ago and the situation got out of control. While the cats are in an extreme over-crowding situation, the person caring for them is cooperating and very interested in properly caring for and re-homing the cats. Instead of a mass evacuation to an unknown fate, HPC is working with Treehouse to find a humane solution for all involved in the situation. The cats are all about 3-6 years old and friendly. On December 11-13, 2012, they will all be transported to Treehouse and PAWS to be fully vetted. At that time, a number of cats will be moved to foster homes provided by Hyde Park Cats and Treehouse. Right now that number is very small as the number of open foster homes is very small. Cats that are not placed in foster will be returned with the goal of eventually moving all of the cats into foster. Help is desperately needed to transport the cats from the home to the clinics, funds for their full vetting and continued care in the home, and, most importantly, foster homes. Please contact hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com if you feel you can help.

Charleston

Meet Charleston! Charleston is a dapper gentleman who came to us from the streets, rescued by one of our busiest volunteers.

Fosterdad (who is a first-time fosterer superstar) writes, "When Charleston moved in, he started out (as expected) very nervous of his new surroundings. But even when he was still scared of his new foster home, whenever I was around he'd come out of hiding for a stroke as he brushed around my legs. He's always yearning for attention and whenever I come back home, he comes out to find me to be stroked and played with. Now that he's been here a few weeks, he's definitely settled in and confidently sleeps wherever he chooses! Sometimes that might be his bed or on top of a warm air vent, but more often than not it's on the couch or on the comfy chairs on top of my jacket. He's very well behaved, affectionate and playful, and loves to chase after me as I am walking to the kitchen, slipping and sliding across the wooden floor."

Charleston has been waiting a long time.  Will you be the one to make the wait for his own home end soon?  He has a clean bill of health, is approximately 3 years old, and is ready to commit his big tomcat heart to his forever person.  Email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com today to meet Charleston!

Brian is waiting

Brian is a bright orange teen/young adult male who was found on the west side of Washington Park. He loves people, particularly when they snuggle or hold him, and he's assertive with dogs. He is neutered, neg/neg, fun and playful, and ready to light the menorah or decorate your tree with you, or whatever, as long as you snuggle and kiss him and maybe throw a toy his way ...

Piglet and Igor

Piglet and Igor: KITTENS. HOMELESS KITTENS.

HOMELESS KITTENS as the HOLIDAYS APPROACH.

HOMELESS. KITTENS. 

Adopt them. hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com

Thanks James M. for the donations! 

Zimmerman is waiting

Zimmerman's favorite spot

Stalking his nemesis

Perched high above the crowd

Super classy tuxedo guy!

Zimmerman is all dressed up and ready for someone to take him home! He is a 4-5 year old tuxedo male cat, with adorable white paws and a white tipped tail. After only a few days in his foster home, he was already comfortable with every lap in the house. If you are looking for a cat to cuddle with on those cold winter nights, he's your man. He loves nothing more than to find a lap to sit on and people to pet him...except maybe for chasing his toy mice nemeses. He is quick to chase a laser and pounce into and out of bags, boxes, and beds. He likes to pretend he's a dog and follow you around from room to room waiting for a lap to appear or food to be ready. He's fascinated with the squirrels outside and loves to spend his mornings sitting in windows watching their every move.


See our previous posts on Zimmerman here and here.  Won't you help get him home for the holidays?  Email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com today to meet Zimmerman!!

Judi

Dame Judi Dench in her favorite position

Dame Judi Dench - or Judi, for short - came to us from a local volunteer after her husband noticed Judi repeatedly visiting his shop, looking for food and affection.  She had a fracture in her elbow and was clearly not prepared for this life outdoors. We attempted to contact her previous owner, but no one showed up to claim her.  Now, Judi is looking for a happy home of her own where she won't have to worry about being put out any longer!

Judi is a super affectionate cat, and she loves humans - her foster family, strangers, children - basically anyone she meets!  Her first foster home had other cats, whom she didn't seem to want to get to know.  She spent most of her time there snuggled up to foster parents on the couch, snoozing, and enjoying warm indoors and steady meals.  Current foster family has several small children, and Judi has been doing fantastic with them.  They write, "We really love Judi - she seems to have settled in really well, and she is so affectionate, playful, gentle with the children and just a joy to have around. Wish we could keep her!"

Judi would be a perfect match for someone who wants a gentle, easy-going snuggly companion.  She clearly would be find around small kids.  We estimate her to be a few years old (under 5), she has all her shots, and has tested neg/neg.  She still has a slight limp due to her fractured elbow, and we are following up with the vet through Hyde Park Cats to ensure no additional procedures are needed.   Please email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com to meet Judi today!

Grover is waiting

Gorgeous Grover stalks his prey....

Grover, a gorgeous marble/blotchty tabby boy, is waiting for his forever home! He is very playful and boyish, and will be your loyal partner in crime if you provide a forever home.  He was found alone outside, probably dumped by his previous owners, near Cottage Grove.  He didn't seem used to the outdoor life, and was plotting a way to get into a woman's home for a few weeks until she contacted Hyde Park Cats. 

Grover tries very hard to be a good housecat. He loves to meet new people and will run right over them to be petted.  He's definitely a very high-energy cat; he will chase his toys all over the house.  He also has a surprisingly impressive ability to open doors and relax in the dark cool cabinets during the day.  He might be a great fit for someone with kids or with another young cat looking for a playmate.

Grover is neutered, up to date on vaccines, and looking for a permanent indoor space he can finally call home.  Please email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com to meet Grover today!

Topaz is waiting

Topaz is a gorgeous tortoiseshell lady seeking a position as an executive assistant. Her skill set includes hypnotizing people with her beautiful eyes, rhythmic purring, having the nicest softest fur, and being a cat.

Thanks to Patty McN. for the donation of wet food, to Tom A. for the cat carrier, to Leslie K. for the litter -- together you've donated most of a new-fosterer package!

AND HUGE THANKS to Ben G. (9), who saved three dollars of his pocket money as a donation to helping homeless cats and also to his twin brother, Alex, who didn't quite give a matching donation ($1). The homeless cats thank you from the bottom of their hungry hearts.

Athena

Athena was turned into Animal Welfare League because, as her former owner said, she was "too much trouble." Our AWL Liasion Leslie S. fell in love with her while volunteering, and just a couple weeks ago decided to take her home, where in fact Athena was no trouble at all. She was happy to be in a home, happy to be in a lap, happy to be in Leslie's arms. Athena died last night at 3:08 am, in Leslie's embrace, perhaps from a septic infection (she had been receiving veterinary care but could not fight it off in the end).

Leslie wrote of Athena that "she was very loving and loved being held. Before she got really sick, she purred so much and so loud. As small as she was, she was not intimidated by my other cats; in fact, she usurped Chet's favorite spot, the top of the middle cushion on my sofa. Athena was one of the sweetest kitties I've been blessed to have and I will always treasure our time together."

Hyde Park Cats sends our love to you today, Leslie.

Leslie's work coordinating our volunteer days at AWL is documented in this recent story from the University of Chicago magazine. Please consider joining us at a future volunteer day in honor of Athena. Our next volunteer day is December 2nd.

Chappelle

Soft blankets...

Lots of food....

Chappelle is....

...so happy to be inside!

Meet our newest orange and white female darling.  Chappelle was saved by the coordination of several of our star volunteers after they were contacted about a crying cat who had just been tossed out of a car.  A big thank you to our volunteers, who are always ready to assist in and around Hyde Park!

Fostermom writes, "Chappelle is settling in very well--from the moment we opened her carrier in the house she's acted like she owns it.  She almost immediately took up residence on my bed--and as you can see, she's pretty loathe to relinquish her claim on it.  She's wonderfully affectionate, especially when she wants food, and though she's not quite a lap cat and hasn't quite worked up the nerve to hang out with us in the evening, she's wonderfully well-behaved and isn't shy about showing her personality.  She has a sweet meow (even when it's demanding food!) but she's more likely to purr when you come in the room or communicate with little chirps. In short, she's recovering from her ordeal (thrown from a car! the nerve!) and I'm so lucky that I get to spend time with her!"

Chappelle has been doing great indoors, and will be up for adoption once she receives standard medical care.  Please contact hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com to inquire about adopting Chappelle!

Veronica is waiting

She'd make a great study partner!

Curled up with resident cat Henry

As you can tell from these excellent photos from fostermom, Veronica is a lovely and well-behaved girl who is incredibly content to be inside!  She was found outside by one of our fabulous volunteers, and after being cleared medically, her personality is really blossoming inside.  She is doing great with the resident cat, Henry, who has lots of energy and loves to play with her.  Her litter box habits are "impeccable" and she still loves to show off with her toys.  She is waiting for her forever home where she can be part of a cat family or on her own.

Please email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com to meet Veronica!

Springing Abraham

Inside carrier inside cage at ACC. Enhance for eyeballs.




Scaredy cat

Some of his friends await him back home

Last week we received a message that Abraham, a feral cat from Tanya's Tribe south of the Midway, had been picked up by Animal Care and Control. We helped Tanya get Abraham fixed in June of 2010, and it was the microchip he received at that point that let ACC know he had some people looking out for him. It took us a while to track down the requisite information to secure his release, but this weekend volunteers sprung him from his cage and returned him to his outdoor home.

If you look closely at the last picture, taken at Abraham's release spot, you can see Big Papa, last seen on the blog in 2010. Looking good!

Thanks to Sara and the volunteers at ACC and Treehouse who helped us spring Abraham, and to our own volunteers, particularly Ainat and Nadav, for helping return Abraham to his place.

Sheba says Happy Halloween

Yesterday MJK got word from Adrienne, one of our South-of-the-Midway partners in TNR, that there was a black kitten at the corner of 67^th and Cornell.  In addition to her concern about the kitten being outside in the cold weather, Adrienne was worried about the potential dangers facing black cats at Halloween (better safe than sorry).  Late last night MJK found the kitten nestled in a bed of leaves under a hedge in the playground at 67^th and Cornell.  "Sheba" is safe and warm now, with a full tummy and a comfy bed.  She purrs like a diesel engine and is extremely sweet and affectionate.  She is using the litter box like a pro.  She is probably only two or three months old.

Happy Halloween!

Zimmerman is waiting

Zimmerman is waiting for you to adopt him. Look at him. He's awesome.

Thanks to recent donors Mike H. and Anna F., who wrote: "Happy Feral Cats Day. In honor and in memory of Ursula and Ollie. She was a semi-feral cat who hung around my sister's house with her brother. After he mysteriously disappeared, my sister gradually gained her trust. And now Ursula sleeps on my sister's bed. Thank you Hyde Park Cats for helping ferals."

Gerdie

Gerdie is a young female who has been living in Washington Park for ... nobody knows. She only has four teeth left (after her recent dental check up and cleaning), which tells us life has been rough. Gertie was originally a TNR project, but trapper/fosterer Adrienne saw something in Gertie that wouldn't let her give up. After a few months, she has filled out, fluffed up, and friendly-fied herself. "She has turned into a real sweetheart," says Adreinen. "She can be pet pretty much everywhere now, we can pick her up, I can get her into a carrier without any problems, and she takes oral antibiotics without a fuss."  

Now the last time we saw Gerdie, we knew her as Janet. The mother of Iris and May, the two kittens found stashed in a gardening shed, Janet-now-Gerdie is too sweet to put back outside, especially before the winter.  Email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com. if you think you might be her person.

Topaz

Topaz is a gorgeous adult tortoiseshell who was found attempting to get into a building on the southeast side of Hyde Park. A doorman called one of our volunteers, who brought her inside. We believe she was dumped outside, as she had no chip or collar and is clearly friendly. Topaz had a recent bout with liver disease, which might have been caused by eating something toxic during her time outdoors, but she's feeling all better now. She's a lovely and friendly lady who enjoys company, toys, food, sleeping, and hanging out. And look at those mesmerizing green eyes!

Rudy

Rudy is a gorgeous cat with a lot of spunk. She's an independent lady -- the kind who will sit with you -- when SHE feels like it. Rudy is eleven. Her owner, who loves her very much, has just entered hospice care and we are actively seeking Rudy's next, and we hope last, home.  Please consider or share Rudy so we can put her owner's mind at rest.  Email hydeparkcatsadoptions@gmail.com to find out more.