Shelter Photos

One example of a feeding station. This is the bottom 1/2 of a large plastic dog carrier. There's a slab floor but dirt would be fine.

A styrofoam lined rubbermaid shelter with 2 doors. Duct tape is used here but Gorilla tape doesn't break down in the winter. Some suggest a silicone caulk but I'd be concerned about the toxic fumes.

Some put the styrofoam outside.

This doesn't show the straw bottom.

TIP. To encourage the cats entering the shelter, sprinkle a bit of catnip in the straw.

This is an example of a shelter with plastic overhang. Rolls of heavy duty plastic can be purchased at places like Home Depot, Menards, Lowe's, etc.

The opening is pulled back for photo. There's usually a small opening for entry.

This one is a styrofoam cooler (turned upside down - for more body room) lined with Reflectix. It got 7 layers and is easy to work with. It reflects 97% of radiant heat. It can be purchased at Menards (and other home stores) in rolls. 16'x25' for $1975 and 24' x 25' for $27. This caregiver made 4 coolers and one large rubbermade with a roll of Reflectix.

The townhouse version (behind a garage)

This is two examples of 1/2 a plastic dog carrier with straw insullation combined with styrofoam insullation on the top with tables in front with straw to provide a veranda for 'paw wiping'. The one on the left is covered with heavy duty plastic, the blue on the right is solar pool insullation (see link on Winter Care for Outside Cats for ordering info)

This is the beginning of a project of several houses for a colony of 16. There are about 7 shelters. It's under a back porch. When completed it will be covered for further protection. Pictures of completion to follow.

These are a few samples of shelters and feeding stations. We'd love to display yours - send us a digital photo and a bit about it to: catvandotnr@yahoo.com and put "shelter photo" in the subject line.

Winter Care for Outside Cats

An Overview on Winter Care for Outside Cats

If you,feed street cats, or a cat or two in your yard, thank you. Without you, street cats, would suffer and starve. (If you haven't had them spayed or neutered - contact us and we'll help). If you don't feed but you know someone who does, please pass this on to them.

All cats need food, water and shelter, all year round. Winter is especially difficult. Shelter is almost more important than food. With rain and snow, their coats become wet and loose their insullating abilities. Their tender ears can get frostbite. Water bowls freeze and unless food is under a cover, it too can freeze. If you feed wet in addition to dry, there are steps that can be taken to keep it from freezing too. Here are a few simple steps that can be taken to help. In addition to these basic steps, there are links at the end of the article to resources and further instruction.

Food needs to be sheltered from the snow and rain. Make sure they are in a safe area, sheltered from any public harm. If you feed somewhere like a porch or natural shelter, great - if not, here are a few suggestions: 1) a bucket turned on it's side (rectangle litter buckets work well), 2) the top of a litter box, 3) a dog or cat carrier 1/2ed and inverted (link below) for visual), 4) a leanto against a garage, porch or house. 5) a beautifully construted platform with a shed roof. Anything that keeps the snow out when necessary. Water is very important during winter months. In addition to dehydrating, cats drink lots of water during the winter and with all their sources frozen, it needs to be provided, free from ice. Heated water bowls can be purchased at places like Walgreens, WalMart and PetCo, PetSmart & Pet Supplies Plus. They take little electricity and are necessary during freezing weather. Water bowls can be put into styrofoam coolers, with a whole for entry. There are also solar units available. See link below. Shelter can be provided a variety of ways. 1) A Rubbermaid box, enough for however many cats you have, lined with styrofoam insullation, with about a 10" layer of straw (not hay) for flooring. In addition to adding insullation and providing a 'nest', it doesn't hold water walked in on paws. Never use material, blankets or rugs, they get wet and stay wet. , 2) an Igloo can be purchased at a local pet store 3) inverted 1/2 dog houses with straw or styrfoam insullation (see photos on blog) 3) small insullated dog house. Or, 4) purchase one on line - google cat shelter (and watch for CatVando's feral shelters next year). Get creative! Shelters have been made like a lean to with plywood, insullation and straw with heavy duty plastic or a tarp covering the openings assuring an opening for entry and exit. See link below Face the opening away from the wind (don't face north) and cover the opening with plastic (gorilla tape and double overlapping plastic work well).

Reflectix is a foil insullation that's 7 layers thick yet easy to work with because it's thin. It provides 97% of radiant heat. It can be purchased at Menards and other home care stores. Don't put fiber on the bottom of the shelter. It gets wet and retains the moisture. The best flooring is straw (not hay). It provides comfort and insullation. If possible, put straw outside the shelter with an overhang. When things get wet, the cats carry snow and wet into their bedding, the overhang and straw provide a place to wipe their paws. See picture on blog.

SEE "SHELTER PHOTOS" BLOG FOR PICTURES

And, of course, all cats should be spayed or neutered, and vaccinated. CatVando NFP Corp is a grassroots organization of animal lovers joined together to help care for, control and reduce the population of street cats in our communities. We work with individuals, communities and municipalities to teach, assist, perform, and coordinate TNR (Trap Neuter Return) efforts while teaching the basics of colony management care. TNR is the most effect humane method of feral cat control. We believe that cats provide a vehicle to teach respect for life and work with local youth groups on various life enriching programs. If you have cats and need assistance with trapping for spay and neutering, or have questions about outside cat care, give us a call or an email and we'll explain how it works. Kitties are born as early as February, then those kitties can have litters by the following fall.

http://www.urbancatleague.org/Shelters.html - Shelters and solar housing ideas http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/nycfci/CatShelter.pdf - skematic on to build a basic shelter

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/info/preventing.htm keep water from freezing

Margo's Ready for Adoption!

ADOPTED!!!!!

Margo of Elmwood Park is Ready for Her New Home!

Margo is a hoot! She looks like a meanie in this photo but she's far from it. Great personality and loves belly rubs. She can often be found lounging on her back with her belly up, seems to be most comfortable that way. She's a sturdy cat, muscular but rolly polly and really comfy to hold. She use to be all black, with long hair. A while back she developed an almost irridescent silver ring around her lower neck that extended 3/4 of the way down her front legs, her belly went slightly silver and the underside of her tail. Now she seems to be loosing a lot of that coloring, watching her changes is amazing. She looks like a bruser but she's not, she's sweet and loves to be loved.

General Description for all cats up for adoption. All of our kitties were born in the streets or in someones yard. While our mission is TNR (Trap Neuter Return) to prevent kittens, sometimes we get TNA's (Trap Neuter Adopt) before their mamas are spayed. When we get young kitties, we also capture their mom to care for them until their ready to be weaned. Then mama returns to her home in her caretakers yard. Our kittens are all well socialized. They've been exposed to many wonderful volunteers, children and adults alike. Many have also been exposed to dogs and most are comfortable with them. Our kittens are all healthy. We feed a good quality kitten food and supplement to assure a healthy beginning for a longer healthier life. Our adoption fee of $140 covers spayed or neutered, distemper and rabies shots, F/F testing, treatment for parasites and fleas, and a micro chip and may or may not have a slight ear tip (identifying them as a TNA). All our kittens are always welcome back for the duration of their life, and we're always available for questions about their health and wellbeing.

For information on adopting Margo, write catvandotnr@yahoo.com

Vito's Ready for Adoption!

The incredible Vito is ready for his new home.

Vito is without a doubt, the most popular cat we've had this year. Always adorable, very engaging, wonderful temperment, loudest 'purr-er' of the bunch and incredibly cute. He looks like a Maine Coon mix with fur that feels like a Chinchilla. He's very interactive, playful and affectionate and a great lap cat who will keep you company while sitting at the computer, reading a book, or watching tv. With his sweet little paws, he'll occasionally climb your chest and gently tap your cheeks with his paw while looking you sweetly in your eyes. He could easily be trained to ride on your shoulders.

General Description for all cats up for adoption All of our kitties were born in the streets or in someones yard. While our mission is TNR (Trap Neuter Return) to prevent kittens, sometimes we get TNA's (Trap Neuter Adopt) before their mamas are spayed. When we get young kitties, we also capture their mom to care for them until their ready to be weaned. Then mama returns to her home in her caretakers yard. Our kittens are all well socialized. They've been exposed to many wonderful volunteers, children and adults alike. They've also been exposed to dogs and most are comfortable with them. Our kittens are all healthy. We feed a good quality kitten food and supplement to assure a healthy beginning for a longer healthier life. Our adoption fee of $140 covers spayed or neutered, distemper and rabies shots, F/F testing, treatment for parasites and fleas, and a micro chip and may or may not have a slight ear tip (identifying them as a TNA). All our kittens are always welcome back for the duration of their life, and we're always available for questions about their health and wellbeing. To meet Vito, email catvandotnr@yahoo.com. We're located in Maywood, IL

Berwyn's Colony of 18!

The Adventures of TNR

We got a referral from Animal Care League about a couple of fellas who just inherited a colony of cats from their neighbor. An older woman had been feeding cats for years, but like so many people who are compassionate and feed rather than let them suffer and starve, she didn't realize she could get them to stop having kittens. Most people think it either not possible or they can't afford it - so they multiply.

The Good News is that after she died, her neighbors took over as their caregivers. They've built wonderful winter shelter, have a heated water bowl, and feed twice a day. Knowing they needed to stop the kitten flow, after several calls, they found us. We TNR'd 15 out of the 19 cats this week. 3 of them are 2 month old cuties, now in foster, young and friendly enough to adopt ( TNA's Trap Neuter Adopt) . And 1 is on the enclosed front porch and will be vetted next Tuesday. He or she, a beautiful long haired grey and black tabby with a white crest, was in the yard the day when I returned the males. Fortunately, there was still a trap there (to catch Popeye, who's one of 2 known unsterilized, uncaught cats). Typically, when the cats were returned, they ran for the hills as soon as I opened the trap doors. The guys (caretakers) left food for the returning boys and she was there for lunch. With the boys out of the way, I put food in the trap, took the rest away and it wasn't long before she was in the trap on her way to TNR. Unfortunately, that was Wednesday and next clinic is Tuesday. Not wanting to leave him in the trap for a week, I attempted to put her in one of the large cages equipped with a small carrier in the hopes that she'll run into it. Welllllllllllll, she made a U Turn at the opening of the trap, and in 3 seconds she was on the other side of the room 1/2 way up the wall then, because she was freaked out she hit every wall on the porch until she found a hiding place under a chest. Poor baby has been crying on and off since. The females, were still in their traps on the porch. For the next day, there was a symphony of cat calls. The most vocal group we've done aftercare for. The girls are gone but the Porch Girl l is still loose on a porch. Trap is pre-baiting, she has warm places to sleep but she's miserable. A real downside of doing this is going through things like this. Hopefully, she's comfortable enough by Monday so I can set the trap, get her vetted and returned to her family by next Thursday.

Chances are we won't catch the remaining two. That's why we go for as many cats as we can with the initial trapping. However, good news is, 90% is effective against further growth.

The kitties are being treated for upper respiratory infections and should be ready for in about 1-2 weeks. They're on Clinidrops, Crystal Lungs & Terramyacin eye gel.

And, that's the skimmed version of this weeks TNR report!

Cat Lovers Holiday Celebration!

Cat Lover's

Holiday Celebration!

Sunday, December 14

12:00 - 3:00 pm

Skrine Chops

2nd floor

7230 Madison

Forest Park

Great Munchies and Hot Apple Cider

with cash bar lllBring pictures of your sweet ones, lll

crabby ones, old ones, young ones,

RAFFLE PRIZES $1 per ticket as long as they have fur and they purr!

SPLIT THE POT $5 per ticket

RSVP by phone or leave comment

Our PetSmart Adoption Event

The Brookfield Zoo Bear Meets Cat VanGogh at our 1st PetSmart Adoption Event!!!

We had a great time and adopted 5 kittens and Sweet Cheeks (Yeah!!!).

Considering it was the weekend in September with the monsoon rain and closed roads, we were thrilled. Just goes to show you, some people are just animal crazy!!!! Gotta love those crazy coots!

Our summer student workers, Jasmine & Amber were joined by their Mom, Naja to help keep the kitties happy and help prospective new parents. Janet Pendell, another CatVando volunteer was there too. The Cat Man brought us a welcome lunch on Saturday.

It was a great weekend - nothing like being around people who love animals.

What's Blooming on Harrison!

Our kitties were a big hit at What's Blooming in May. Linda Broccolo, CatVando Volunteer and wonderful Colony Manager did a great job keeping the kitties happy and the crowds. Kids and adults alike loved playing with the kittens with feathered sticks and our babies took to the streets very well. No adoptions but lots of education.

A great Sat & Sun in May, we enjoyed the people, the weather and our great spot in front of Sirius Cooks.

KITTIES! Margo

It's Margo of Elmwood!

Margo is a hoot! And, what a surprise. She's about 3 months old, small and when she started out, she was black. After about 2 months, she started turning almost irridescent silver - sort of like the reverse of a Silverback Gorilla. She looks evil in this photo but she's not - she's sweet and still changing color! Very playful. Still a bit shy but loves to be loved and relaxes as soon as she gets cuddled. Loves belly rubs. She could be adopted alone or with her brother, Hustus - not pictured, but a beautiful orange tabby with medium length hair like Margo. She's from the yard of another excellent CareGiver. One of three of a litter. We've had her since early August and she's ready for just the right new home.

KITTIES! Earline Gray & Pecko

Our Kitties Are The Best!!!!

We've had the greatest bunch of kitties this summer. Beautiful, playful, affectionate, 'well balanced' (a quote from one of our new kitty mama's). They've been lucky - they've had some great people and animal to play with.

Pecko & Earline Gray

These little cuties aren't as brave as the rest but they're getting there. Both love it when they're cuddled and are purring more every day. They're small cats. They came from the yard of some wonderful CareGivers. They've devoted their enclosed sun porch to the cats, with plastic winterization windows, houses, beds, litter boxes and good food. They started with one a couple years and ended up getting 12 of their yard cats TNR'd and 4 kittens removed for adoption. We've had Pecko & Earline since early August. They're a pair - adopted as a pair. They play with the other kitties but always end up together.

It's Been A Long Time Coming!

Kittens!!!! Kittens Kittens Kittens - that's where we've been. Yes, we've been doing TNR and MANY other wonderful things but the kittens changed everything this summer. The Berwyn Five and mama Hoover came on June 11, followed by Munchie of Loyola (adopted by Foster Family), then Vito of Elmwood Park , 3 weeks later followed by his siblings Hustus & Major, who became Margie, who became Margo (who started off black then at about 3 months, started turning silver around the underside - cool). Then came the Candy Cats of Bellwood, 4 beauties, 2 of which are still up for adoption, Dots & Hershey. Then came Roberto & Sophia of Berkley, beauties, sweet and already adopted. Then, Earl, now Earline Gray and Pecko, midget cats, like Vito, Hustus and Margo. Angel & Smiley. Then came 4 babies from Maywood that went to Foster Family and sorry, but can't remember all their names - there's Gizmo, Stripe, Reeses & ...... . 2 of them are going to PAWS for adoption tomorrow. And for those of you who remember Sweet Cheeks, she was the first to be adopted at our PetSmart event and she went to a perfect home!

Yes, kitties changed things - added about 5-8 hours to the average day. Much as I absolutely love being able to put my face into a pile of purring kitties and watch the face of others as they play with them, they cripple an organization as small as ours, where our trappers spend time caring for kitties. We're hoping that within animal rescue, we can find a solution to the kitty gap. We're a TNR group. That's our specialty. To expand into kitty care and adoptions takes time away from our mission. While the kittens fit in with our personal mission to help counteract violence, (more on that another time) - to have total responsiblilty seems counterproductive. Enough on that for now.

So many wonderful things have happened since our last posting! I'm going to list them as separate blogs and will be putting them up over the next couple of days, our adoption events, adoptors and adoptees, kittens for adoption, our fabulous Cat Party in July, TNR, Winter Shelters, Events, Fundraising, (and a big warm thank you to those of you who have been sending in their monthly donations without any monthly show of our appreciation!!!! THANK YOU xo), the KPS Club, (Kids, Pets & Science Club), cat stories, Sponsoring colonies and TNR reports. With all that, they'll be brief!!!! And first.......... KITTIES!!!!!