Got this email yesterday:
Kerry Reid here, occasional Balloon Juice commentator. AsiangrrlMN suggested I contact you to see if you might have ideas for helping me place a couple of cats.
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Here’s the situation: My sister’s mother-in-law, who lives in Schaumburg (a northwest suburb of Chicago) has to go into a nursing home by March 1 because her old-age dementia prevents her from taking care of herself properly anymore. She has two cats — both female, not sure of their ages, but they are named Tiki and Smokey. Tiki is very sociable from what my sister tells me, but Smokey mostly hides (I think she was abused before Joan — the mother-in-law — took her in years ago). Not sure of their current health, but they are indoor cats, so even if they’ve not been to the vet, I don’t think there are issues with heartworm or FHIV, etc.
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My sister is allergic and has a rambunctious golden retriever. My other sister has three terriers who would view cats as prey. (And both my sisters just completed chemo for different cancers.) I have two cats, but a small one-bedroom condo, and one of my cats is also quite skittish so wouldn’t do well with new competition.
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I’ve talked to the no-kill shelter where my cats came from, but they are not taking new cats right now because they are doing renovations. My sister is contacting a couple no-kill shelters in the northwest suburbs.
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I don’t have photos of them, unfortunately, but if you have tips or ideas for other places to contact to see if we can save them from being put down, that would be great. My brother-in-law loves animals, but with a sick wife, a mother going into a nursing home, and various other issues, he’s just not able to focus on finding homes for the kitties, so I’m trying to step up and see if I can do anything.
Anybody in the area got a lead for no-kill shelters, possible foster homes, or even tips on an agency for the aging that might have experience dealing with situations like this? Leave a comment, email me at AnneLaurie at verizon.net , or click on my name near the top of the right-hand column and I’ll put you in touch with Kerry.
shortstop
Treehouse is a no-kill cat shelter on the north side of the city (Uptown) — not sure if it’s accepting new cats or not. Good luck!
shortstop
You could also try PAWS, although I think they really limit the new animals they take in. I think Treehouse is a better bet.
Shinobi
There are so many no kill shelters here in Chicago, but I know every single one is overtaxed at this point.
The two best options I think would probably be: treehouseanimals.org/
hhforcats.org/index.html
Evanston’s Animal Shelter kindly provides a list of Chicago area rescues as well:
care-evanston.org/shelterlist.htm
Not all of these are no kill, you’d have to check their individual websites.
I could foster for a week or two if needed, but I just can’t afford two more permanent mouths to feed. I wish I could take them in though.
LindaH
Do either of these cats seem to be a certain breed? I know that there are breed rescues, so if the cats happen to look as if they are, say Maine Coon, or Siamese or another breed you may be able to find a rescue group. They tend to be no kill and they find fosters for their breed. Sadly if your cat falls into the category of cat i.e. Domestic Short hair, or Domestic Long hair, etc. you will need to find a no-kill shelter.
Other places to try, local veterinarians often post cats for placement, or run an ad in the paper offering the cats for fostering. That might mean agreeing to pay for food, routine shots and some medical care (with you having a limit per year). Good luck, whatever happens.
singfoom
Eh,
I’d take another cat if I didn’t already have 2 and didn’t think the wife would kill me. I’ll second the tree house recommendation.
Kerry Reid
Thanks — I’ll try Treehouse. And as far as I know, they are not breed-specific. I know it would be easier to get them into homes that way. I’m going to be at my vet’s tomorrow so I’ll ask them for more ideas. Really appreciate everybody’s input.
Damned at Random
Try asking the shelters if they have foster homes available – if you can place them short term, you can continue to try for permanent placement.
Sorry about your situation. I actually got a cat at an estate sale once- she was in the yard and very friendly – nobody in the family wanted her so they just turned her out of the house when her person died. She was a great impulse kitty (don’t get any ideas – I live in Oregon and have a full house – 6 – right now)
WereBear
The foster home is a great idea; also, you can put posters up at Senior Centers; I’ve found elderly people want a mellow, grown cat.
Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther
I’ll tweet this around. I have a handful of followers in the area – maybe they’ll have some ideas, too.
Ash Can
There is a senior services non-profit called the Kenneth Young Center in Elk Grove Village. You could try calling them and see if they have any ideas. Also, there are several Mather cafes/senior activity centers around the Chicago area. You could try calling them for advice too. And you could also try advertising there, as WereBear suggests, especially since the seniors who go there tend to be more active and independent, and more likely to be able to care for pets over a longer term.
Vec
I know it’s far, but if you’re having issues placing the cats anywhere in the western suburbs, you can try Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Rockford.
I would love to adopt another cat, but…
Good luck and best wishes to your family, Kerry.
mantis
I’ve got a number of cat-loving, cat-owning friends here in Chicago. I’ll ask them if they’re interested in a new friend, or know of good shelters.
The wife is allergic, and we’re bird people, so we unfortunately can’t take any in.
JasonF
Red Door Animal Shelter on Chicago’s north side is another great option.
jacy
One other thing to do it to check with local veterinary offices. They often have lists of pet foster parents that other resources don’t. I used to foster for a local clinic. They had a “secret” list for extreme hardship cases, often the elderly who had to leave their homes, or the pets of people killed in sudden accidents.
cdmarine
Facebooked. A good number of my Facebook people are Chicagoans. Hope something turns up. It would be nice if Treehouse can take them. Treehouse is such a wonderful place! That’s where I got my two cats.
mellowjohn
sorry, we’ve already got 8 strays my wife has rescued. (that includes me!)
Marsha B
Try Orphans of the Storm in Northbrook. I think they are no-kill and have a huge cat compound. Older cats make excellent companions as they are CALM. Are they front declawed, spayed? These would be bonuses and make them easier to place.
Keri
Anyone mentioned Felines Inc.?
Also, contact Sheri B. at Petraits.com. She charges a small fee to photograph a pet, but she’ll send the photo and a description out to her huge pet lovers e-mail list. I’ve adopted out a couple of fosters through her. She is wonderful.
Graeme
The Anti-Cruelty Society is in downtown Chicago. We adopted from them when we lived there. Good stuff.
Kerry Reid
@Keri:
Felines Inc. is great — that’s where I got my cats. But they’re doing a construction project this spring so aren’t taking individual cats in (I think they specialize in getting cats who are already in kill shelters). But Sheri B. is a good idea — if we can catch the cats and get them to sit still long enough for a portrait!
Kerry Reid
Great news! My sister just told me that the Buddy Foundation will take both cats. Thanks so much for your good wishes and great ideas, everyone.