TNR Chicago | Trap Neuter Return Information & Education » Feral Friends Blog

Heated Water Bowls

Tree House TNR — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:25:00 +0000

It’s important to provide the outdoor cats with water year-round. The winter cold makes that tricky as temperatures drop below freezing.

There are lots of good tips out there to keep the water from freezing, such as using bowls that are wide and deep, or insulated. Adding a pinch of sugar to the water slows the freezing as well, or you can add more water to wet food.

We set up an electric heated water bowl and it’s been working really well – the water is not frozen yet still cool to the touch. The cat tracks around it show that the cats seem to enjoy having such an easy source of hydration for them to use.

Feral Cat Shelters

Tree House TNR — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:04:00 +0000

Tree House’s Uptown location has its own feral cat colony. With the cold weather already here, we’ve gotten a lot more calls on how to provide shelters for outdoor cats. We took photos to show you how we try to keep our outdoor kitties warm. The first photo shows Culpepper, our resident feral cat, impatiently waiting for the photo session to be over so she can go back inside and stay warm among the scratching posts shown in the second photo. The third photo shows the feeding stations and a smaller shelter at the top of the stairs. The fourth photo is of the straw insulating the little room under the stairs, with small shelters that the cats can curl up in. The door is normally closed and we cut small holes for the cats to have access to the area.

Honeypot is ready for her close-up

Tree House TNR — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:51:00 +0000

Honeypot is an FIV+ female feline admitted to Tree House from the King TNR Project over the summer. FIV, or feline immunodeficiency virus, is very difficult to transmit, and can be managed with a proper diet and veterinary care. Many FIV+ cats can live long, healthy lives. Honeypot’s star potential was noticed right away with her Marilyn Monroe-like “mole.” We also noticed how friendly Honeypot was in the trap before and after surgery. We knew she couldn’t stay on the streets, and would thrive in a forever home. She has been residing in the FIV+ Room on Tree House’s top floor in the Uptown location. Please contact us if you are interested in visiting Honeypot or her other FIV+ friends.

Volunteers needed for Hanover Park TNR project

Tree House TNR — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:08:00 +0000

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping with a TNR project in Hanover Park this Friday evening. The project involves trapping additional cats at a registered colony caretaker’s yard, along with additional colonies located within the area, including behind a Menard’s store. The following morning, the cats will all be TNR’ed at PAWS Chicago’s Lurie Family Spay and Neuter Clinic, 3516 W. 26th Street, in Chicago. We especially need help in transporting these cats to and from Hanover Park and the clinic, but we welcome any volunteers, including those who want to learn more about TNR. Please email us at tnr@treehouseanimals.org, or call us 773-784-5488, ext. 234, if you are interested in this project.

Upcoming Colony Caretaker Fest

Tree House TNR — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:30:00 +0000

National Feral Cat Day is on October 16th. Tree House is celebrating by hosting a Colony Caretaker Fest around that time. National Feral Cat Day raises awareness for feral cats and recognizes how the TNR community is trying to help them. We’ll be selling straw for a nominal fee for feral cat shelters, and feature ideas on building shelters for the winter. We’ll also have sample caretaker applications and other feral cat information. Stay tuned for more details!