Spring/Summer 2013 - Tree House Humane Society

VOLUME 42 ISSUE 1 • SPRING/SUMMER 2013
TREE HOUSE NEWS
THE OVERSTIMULATED CAT: PATIENCE, TIME, AND UNDERSTANDING
CAN SOLVE THESE ISSUES
IN THIS ISSUE
• Meet Advisory Board Members and cat behavior experts, Pam Johnson-Bennett and Jackson Galaxy
• The third time’s a charm for Ernestina who finally finds a forever home
• Our Pet Food Pantry needs your help - find out what you can do
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TREE
HOUSE
TEAM
TREE
HOUSE
TREE
HOUSE
Join Team Tree House & raise funds for the cats
• Charity Race Team – Any race, any place, any time.
• Whatever you do, do it for the cats!
Enjoy benefits such as:
• Personalized fundraising page
• Free CARA membership (minimums apply)
• Packages based on fundraising levels
Find out how you can help with Team Tree House.
Visit: TreeHouseAnimals.org/teamtreehouse or
Firstgiving.com/TreeHouseCats
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MAILBAG
A special mailbag section dedicated to our happy matches
POT‘PURRI’
Learn more about our Advisory Board Members and cat behavior experts,
Pam Johnson-Bennett and Jackson Galaxy
COVER STORY
The overstimulated cat: patience, time, and understanding can solve
these issues
EASY WAYS TO HELP
Opportunities to help our Pet Food Pantry, shop our Amazon Wishlist or supporting retailers,
and other ways to help
OVERLOOKED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
The “difficult” cat? Meet some of our more misunderstood resident cats who just need patience
and understanding
HAPPY ENDINGS
The third time’s a charm - Ernestina finally finds a loving home
REMEMBERING
Our supporters honor and remember their friends and family to benefit our strays
TREE HOUSE CATALOG
Check out our new greeting cards and organic cotton canvas safety collars
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Advertisements in this issue are provided to event sponsors
Cover Cat: Jean Kelly is just one of several resident cats here at Tree House who is loving and playful,
and enjoys visitors and attention. She can become overstimulated which, unfortunately, can cause
individuals to label her as ‘difficult’ and miss the wonderful cat she is. With understanding and patience,
visitors have a chance to see the gentle and affectionate side of Jean Kelly.
Locations
Headquarters: 1212 W. Carmen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640, 773-784-5488
Contributors: Kristine Ankney, Kate Boisseau, David de Funiak, Sandy Glaser, Sydney Maier,
Erin McEwan, Gwen Murphy, Jenny Schlueter, Jackie Such, Kady Walker Editors: Kristine Ankney,
Jenny Schlueter Graphic Designer: Jowita Kostek Print/Production: Hagg Press
Bucktown Branch: 1629 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622, 773-227-5535
Adoption Hours
Monday - Friday 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.
A LETTER FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Last year’s adoption success has continued, with nearly 400 cats adopted already in 2013, and we’re not even halfway through the year.
We are on a good pace to break last year’s record setting 646 in-house adoptions, and while these numbers are obviously impressive, we
are also excited about the number of special needs cats who have found homes so far this year. We are extremely grateful to the many
adopters who have welcomed Tree House cats into their homes. Please continue helping us spread the word to promote our adoptions.
The Capital Campaign for our new Adoption Center is underway, and we encourage you to get involved. Our goal is to begin construction
on the Adoption Center in the spring of 2014, and we need all the help we can get to spread the message of our urgent need for this facility.
We are currently forming committees to help us with the Campaign and are seeking volunteers to help promote the Campaign through
public and private events, as well as through networking opportunities with friends, family, or at your workplace. We will have marketing
materials ready in the coming months, which will include finalized architectural plans, renderings, naming and tribute opportunities, and
a detailed description of our proposed programs and services. These marketing materials will be available for distribution to anyone
interested, so please let us know how you can help promote the Campaign.
We are furthering the architectural plans with the Dobbins Group, a local architectural firm with decades of experience, most notably the
design and construction of the Animal Emergency Treatment Center here in Chicago. The Dobbins Group will be consulting with the shelter
design experts from ARQ, who have created our plans to date. We will likely be making some modifications to the current design to help
increase efficiency and reduce construction costs. Some additional features we are exploring include:
• Expanded store for merchandise and supplies
• A small café and lounge area
• Expanded Education Center
• A basement for storage and multi-purpose use space
• Expanded Low-cost Clinic space
• Increased parking area
We’ll be finalizing our architectural plans soon in order to submit them for permit approval, so time is running out for you to offer your
feedback. As our Campaign gears up, we hope we can count on your ideas, promotion, and donations. Please let me know how you would
like to help. We realize that we wouldn’t be able to continue our life-saving work without your generous support, so on behalf of all of your
friends at Tree House, both human and feline, we thank you for making our mission possible.
Sincerely,
David de Funiak
Executive Director
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MAILBAG
LETTERS FROM OUR SUPPORTERS
INCA
INCA
Our little Djembe is so wonderful. My husband and I adopted her (then
named Inca) from Tree House’s Uptown Headquarters last May. She had
been at Tree House for only a few months, dealing with some minor
issues, and recovering from her spay surgery and teeth extractions.
When we met her, she was still healing, and her personality hadn’t been
fully assessed. We fell in love immediately (even my husband, who is
categorically a dog person). Her playfulness and affection were exactly
what we were hoping for, and this past year she has become even more
fun and loving. She enjoys having “conversations”, playing with almost
anything, laying in the sunshine, and making sure she’s touching both
my husband and I simultaneously. She creates so much happiness in our
home, and we can’t thank you enough, Tree House!
- Kate Kelley
MULDER
Austin (Tree House name, Mulder) is one of three orange tabby, male
kittens that I adopted last summer. He is still very much a cuddler, and
I often find him lying next to my head and waking me up with morning
kisses. He and his doggie brother Milo are such a great pair. They play
non-stop and also take naps together!
- Tiffany Evans
ISIS BLUE
We brought Tree House cat Isis Blue (a white Siamese), renamed to
Socks for her cute little white paws, home on March 18th and kept her
isolated from the other cats for several days. Smoke and Shamos (our
other cats) were extremely curious about her, but Shelby (our third cat)
didn’t seem to even notice her. We let her out to view the other rooms on
the 23rd. Turns out she had no issues and got along with the other cats
just fine right away. They are all good buddies now and enjoy each other’s
company. We started out by giving her lots of space and just letting her
roam. She loves the high perch and that has become a good zone for her.
When she is on a perch, she allows us to pet her, and she meows and
flips around asking for attention. However, she lets you know when she’s
had enough, so we all know when to let her be. I know it will take time for
her to adjust as she was out in the “wild” for many months, but she has
made great strides with socializing, and I generally think she wants to be
around us. She just has to learn that we are there to love her and not hurt
her. She has seen the other cats lying on the beds with us, and she just
started jumping up there herself. I think she will eventually learn that she
MULDER
ISIS BLUE
can lay down with us as well, and she’ll become totally spoiled like the
rest of the cats in the house! It’s so nice knowing all of our cats have had
a connection somehow with Tree House! We feel very blessed to have all
of them with us now!
- Karen Zaldivar
JONES AND JOSEPH
It was quite the whirlwind of a day bringing the boys home. Just so you
know, they HATE riding in the car. Luckily, we only had a few blocks to go
that day. Jones became Jameson and Joseph became Sailor Jerry (Jerry
for short). They were very nervous at first. After about twenty minutes of
hiding under the bed, they started to explore their new home. I originally
wanted to introduce them to a new room a day, but they quickly decided
that this was their house and they would go where they pleased. The
bond they made with my wife and I was almost immediate. Jameson has
turned into quite the daddy’s boy and Jerry can’t go five minutes without
knowing where his mommy is. When we adopted them, they were quite
thin, and Jerry was recovering from an ear infection and had lost most
of the fur from behind his ears. I am proud to say that they are both now
well on their way to becoming the lazy house cats they were meant to be.
Jerry has grown back all of his fur and now has enough to share with
everybody. They are probably the two most loving cats I have ever had.
They really do prefer to be right by you at all times, and I have to say, I
don’t mind that at all.
- Andrew Hodson
MOONBALL
Just a quick update about the lovely Moonball. She is doing great! She
is a ball of love every day! She is very comfortable here, and is even
off most of her medication now! She is currently on one medication
due to possible chronic bronchitis or asthma, however it doesn’t seem
to bother her much, and we are working on a long-term method of
treatment anyway. Truly, I have never met such a good-natured cat. She
is just too funny. I have to clear her ears often as they seem to get dirty
weekly, and she even purrs during that. And she loves the car. At first
she wasn’t sure but now if I ever have to take her anywhere she just
takes a nap with no complaints.
- Nelly Papalambros
JONES & JOSEPH
MOONBALL
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POT ‘PURR’I
MEET OUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
We are fortunate to have guidance from two individuals who, while having very different styles, share a compassion and commitment to
educating people about cat behavior and humane animal welfare. Pam Johnson-Bennett is a world-renowned cat behavior expert who
is credited with starting the cat behavior field. She has been a Tree House Advisory Board Member since 2009. Jackson Galaxy, AKA
“America’s Cat Daddy”, brings his own unique rock star quality to the cat behavior world, and joined our Advisory Board in 2012. We are
pleased to have the support of two such well-respected individuals in the cat behavior world.
PAM JOHNSON-BENNETT
One of the most sought-after cat behavior experts in the world,
Pam’s “Think Like a Cat” approach to behavior and training
has been profiled on television, radio, and in countless print
publications. Star of the Discovery Channel UK’s new television
series Psycho Kitty, Pam is best-selling author of eight books
focused on cat behavior. Her book, Think Like a Cat has become
known as the “cat bible.”
Pam began her career in cat behavior consulting in New York in
the early 1980s, when there was no such thing as a cat behavior
consultant, and it was considered foolish to work with individuals
to change their cat’s behavior. Her journey into the world of cat
behavior began with a personal experience when she first adopted
cats in the late 1970s. She knew nothing about cats and quickly
became a “bad cat parent” (her own words!). Her veterinarian’s
advice was to euthanize her cats and start over. His perspective
was that there were so many cats in the world, why waste time
on the bad ones. Heartbroken, little did she know that this
would be the beginning of a journey that would change her life.
She read everything she could find related to psychology and
behavior (whether it was child psychology, dog training, marriage
counseling, you name it). She also began volunteering at nearby
veterinary clinics, shelters, and rescue facilities, and started to
look at cat behavior from the perspective of trying to determine
what cats needed vs. what she expected of them. She began to
make progress with her own cats, then friends’ and neighbors’
cats. When she returned to her veterinarian for her cats’ annual
check ups, he took notice of the remarkable transformation in
their behavior, then asked her if she’d work with some of his
clients’ cats. Ironically, he eventually asked her to work with a
troublesome cat he had adopted.
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Pam is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and former V.P. of
the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
She founded the IAABC Cat Division and served as its longtime
chair for eight years. She has also worked with the Winn Feline
Foundation and was also on the American Humane Association’s
Advisory Board on Animal Behavior and Training.
Renowned as a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting,
Pam has influenced many practicing in the field today. Recently
some of our staff met with Pam at the HSUS Animal Care Expo in
her hometown of Nashville, and we talked about a few upcoming
projects we’ll be working on, including developing more
presentations for our Education Outreach Program and updating
our Cat Care Guide. Over the last few years we’ve had several book
signing events with Pam, and we hope to have her back again
soon! We are thrilled to have Pam’s extensive expertise as well as
her empathy and guidance on our Advisory Board.
JACKSON GALAXY
A cat behaviorist with more than fifteen years of experience and
the host of Animal Planet’s hit show My Cat From Hell, Jackson
Galaxy specializes in helping individuals whose “out of control”
cats are turning their lives and homes upside down. Jackson’s
empathy and fascination for cats began one stormy night, sixteen
years ago, while working in a shelter. At work late one night during
a violent storm, he heard the cats in the stray cat impound area
screaming. He remembered hearing somewhere that a “slow
blink” means “I love you” in feline; a slow blink exchanged by cat
and human establishes a link between the two. He decided to try it
and, if nothing else, perhaps it would help quiet down or reassure
some of the cats. Forty five minutes later, Jackson knew his life
had taken a turn when the room was filled with sleeping cats.
A unique character in the feline behaviorist world, with his rock ‘n’
roll style, Jackson has been called many things: cat behaviorist,
cat whisperer, cat trainer, and cat shrink. He describes himself as
a cat listener. In his memoir, Cat Daddy: What the World’s Most
Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love and Coming Clean,
Jackson tells the inspiring story of Benny, the cat who saved his
life and set him on the path to becoming America’s Cat Daddy.
Along the way, he shares his mission to help save the 4 million
dogs and cats who die in shelters each year. As Jackson says:
“Working in an animal shelter grounded me in the current reality
of animal overpopulation and convinced me simultaneously of the
promise of a no-kill country. We can achieve, in my lifetime, a
world where homeless animals do not have to die – needlessly.”
In May, Jackson made a last minute visit to Chicago while on tour
promoting the launch of the soft cover edition of his book. Never
missing an opportunity to speak with the shelter community, we
organized an event so Jackson could do a quick “cat mojo session”.
More than 100 people came out and enjoyed a lively presentation
and Q & A session. We hope Jackson will be back to visit in the
Fall again for our Black Cat Ball. Jackson joined our Advisory
Board last year, and we are excited to have his compassionate and
knowledgeable expertise on our board.
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THE OVERSTIMULATED CAT
PATIENCE, TIME, AND UNDERSTANDING CAN SOLVE THESE ISSUES
There is a sad scene that plays out in too many feline homes
around the world. After a long day at work, you finally put on your
comfy clothes, and sit down with a cup of tea. Perhaps you turn
on your favorite music, and finally you get a chance to relax. Soon,
your faithful feline companion stretches out next to you. You
stroke her fur while she purrs and kneads the cushion between
you. She seems to be drifting off to sleep, when suddenly and
without warning, she grabs your hand with her claws and bites
you! You respond with a shout, the cat jumps down, and then
frantically starts grooming herself. What just happened?
The bottom line is that cats who get overstimulated are not
being mean, and their actions are not pre-meditated. Rather, the
resulting aggression is a sudden impulse that is really not within
the cat’s control.
This is a classic case of overstimulation or petting-related
aggression. Sadly, it is one of the most common sources of felinehuman miscommunication. We hear too often that a cat is “mean”
or “crabby” when the poor cat is just trying to communicate to
you that what might have been pleasurable at first, is now making
her uncomfortable. Even worse is that 99% of the time, the cat had
tried to communicate with their human in many other ways before
scratching or biting, but the human didn’t get it! With no other
means of communication left, the cat lashes out. Even sadder is
that us humans often interpret this behavior in purely emotional
terms and think that our cat doesn’t like us, or is just plain meanspirited. But we know this is not the case and by “thinking like a
cat” we can better understand why some cats get overstimulated,
how to pick up on the signs, and how to stop the aggressive
behavior BEFORE it starts!
1. Be aware of your cat’s warning signs. Tail lashing/thumping,
shifting of body position, twitching of skin, and direct looks from
the cat are all indications that she has had enough petting. If the
petting continues, she will likely scratch or bite.
To really understand why cats behave this way, we must go back
to their origins. And although we think of cats as predators, we
have to remember that cats are also prey to many larger predators.
So imagine that while you are petting your kitty, she reverts back
to how she felt as a kitten when her mother groomed her. Kitty
perceives our hand as her mother’s tongue, and she is in heaven
while you “groom” her. Then suddenly something switches in her
brain, she reverts back to reality, feels threatened by the hand on
her body, and her natural fight/flight response kicks in! After the
“attack” the grooming that takes place, as mentioned above, is the
kitty’s attempt to calm herself down.
You can also look at overstimulation in more physiological terms;
slow and fast-acting touch receptors get their signals crossed,
essentially turning the initial feeling of pleasure to pain. Tree House
Behaviorist Joan Levergood describes it like this: “Overstimulation
is when a cat becomes overwhelmed with being touched and
lashes out at the person petting them or someone else nearby.”
She adds: “It seems like their brain misfires from the sensation of
being touched.“
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That said, it is every cat guardian’s job to recognize the impending
attack and head it off at the pass. Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC,
star of Discovery Channel UK’s new television series, Psycho
Kitty, and member of the Tree House Advisory Board, gives these
recommendations on her website, catbehaviorassociates.com:
2. Stop petting if you notice these signs. If you see a lashing tail,
stop petting right away. Do not try to interact with the cat in any
way; just leave her where she is.
3. Try not to reach the cat’s warning phase again. You don’t want
your cat to learn that the only way to get his message across
is to hurt you! If your cat becomes overstimulated after four
minutes, for example, stop petting after two minutes.
4. Respect a cat who doesn’t like petting. It may sound strange,
but some cats simply don’t enjoy strokes down the back. If yours
is one of them, simply allow him to sit on your lap or beside you
on the couch. Not petting him will actually build trust, and allow
him to feel safe around you. You might try scratching his chin or
the back of his head, starting with just a few seconds. Cats vary
tremendously in what kind of contact they prefer, so take the
time to find out which kind your cat enjoys.
5. Avoid rubbing your cat’s belly. Yes, some like it, but many
don’t! Exposing the belly typically means one of two things:
defensive aggression (allowing use of all four sets of claws, plus
teeth) or relaxation. Even a relaxing cat can become defensively
aggressive when his belly is touched. Avoid it!
Supervise all child-cat interactions. If you have small children,
encourage them (only under supervision) to let kitty sit in their
lap and pet once or twice if none of the above warning signs are
visible. Do not allow them to chase, grab, pick up, or carry the
cat, as this could result in serious injury. Older children can be
taught that cats are not playthings but living, sensitive animals;
young children simply won’t understand this, and must be
closely supervised.
LESSONS FROM KITTENHOOD
Jackson Galaxy, also a member of our Advisory Board and Star
of Animal Planet’s My Cat from Hell, is also well-versed in dealing
with “overstimulation cats”. In a blog post on Littlebigcat.com he
stresses how important it is not to send mixed signals. “The rule
must be that no biting is allowed, ever”, he says. “Consistency
on our part is key towards helping our cats understand a certain
measure of right from wrong.” So, humans have to resist the
urge to do anything that triggers the overstimulation in the cat
(no matter how cute that tummy is), and we also have to make
clear that any biting is inappropriate (even when the biting is
softer than usual).
Fans of Galaxy’s show know that he is also big on play therapy,
something we fully embrace at Tree House. Many cat guardians
just don’t seem to put enough importance on the ritual of play for
their cats. By engaging in regular play sessions, you give your
cat the opportunity to “let off some steam” and provide an outlet
for your cat’s natural hunting instincts - giving her acceptable
prey as opposed to your hands or feet.
It takes some practice, but the idea is to understand what triggers
the undesired behavior in your cat and not to misinterpret her
motivations. Learn her basic body signals that show she is
getting overstimulated so you can eventually avoid any attacks,
and redirect that energy. With some dedication and patience,
even the most “overstimulation-prone” cat can be tamed into a
calm, cool, and collected one.
Levergood warns that kittens who are picked up against their
will, handled too much, and/or not given sufficient time to rest
and play, or who are taught to play with human hands instead of
toys are more likely to become easily overstimulated adult cats.
Education Outreach Manager, Kate Boisseau, knows first-hand
this is true. She shared the following story about her cat, Cassius:
“I know from personal experience that ‘only-kittens’ tend to grow
up to be cats who get easily overstimulated. My cat, Cassius,
is nine years old, and was adopted by my husband as a young,
single kitten. Cassius never had a kitten friend to wrestle with and
in his youth, he lived with four young men in their twenties, and
he was handled and rough-housed a lot! He got used to biting
people when he wanted to play, and when he was done with their
affection, too. Not surprisingly, he grew up to be an adult cat who
gets overstimulated easily. At Tree House, we adopt kittens out
in pairs or into homes where they will have another cat or dog
companion to play with. I think this is wise (my husband and I
would never adopt a single kitten again!), not only because they
love to have a playmate, but because having a playmate also helps
them become well-adjusted cats. They are less inclined to be
easily overstimulated if they have a friend to nibble on and tear
around the house with.”
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THE OVERSTIMULATED CAT
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
CHALLENGES OF THE SHELTER ENVIRONMENT
MORE ESSENTIAL TIPS AND TRICKS
Socializing cats who are too often viewed as ‘difficult’ begins
with a basic understanding of feline needs and the ways in which
they communicate. In the cases of Tree House cats, who most
often come from the streets or situations of abandonment or
abuse, we work to provide them with opportunities for additional
socialization and interactive play. It is also important to consider
the possible underlying causes of overstimulation in order to
help avoid, reduce, or eliminate the types of behaviors exhibited
by overstimulated cats. For some cats, Tree House can be an
overstimulating environment – there’s so much constantly going
on and there are so many people handling them all the time!
Often when they move to a calm home they are less prone to
overstimulation. Environment plays a big role in overstimulation.
As soon as your cat bites or scratches, don’t struggle or try to
pull away. Instead, go completely limp and/or even gently push
your hand towards your cat and say “OUCH!” or “NO!” This will
distract the cat, and make them forget about what they’re doing.
If you stiffen or struggle, your hand resembles prey even more.
Above all, don’t yell or punish your cat. It will frustrate, confuse,
and upset them further, and it probably won’t make you feel
good either.
Make sure there are lots of toys handy to distract your cat during
an attack. Tree House has lots of toys (like our “kitty kickers”)
that are great for kitty to attack, kick and bite, or chase (like our
sparkle balls or felt mice). You can use these toys to distract and
redirect the cat.
Pay close attention to your cat’s body language, as well as mood.
If your cat is in play mode, don’t try to pet her! Some cats have a
time or petting limit. Pay attention to this, and stop petting before
that time is up (this may take some self-restraint on your part).
Cats who become easily overstimulated may prefer head
scratches, as petting down their bodies or backs may
overstimulate them. Generally, it isn’t a good idea to pick up cats
who get overstimulated easily - this will usually be too much for
them! Avoid petting a cat’s belly, since this can often stimulate a
cat’s defensive reactions.
Hold out your hand and let the cat sniff you and then rub his head
on your hand. Pet around the top of his head, cheeks, and sides
of the body. Watch his body language. Tail flicking is a sign that
a cat is becoming overstimulated. Dilated pupils can also indicate
that the cat is in an excited state. Instead of pushing the limits,
leave a cat wanting more petting as opposed to dealing with what
happens when he wants less!
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EASY WAYS TO HELP
OUR PET FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP
There are many ways you can help support Tree House beyond
simply making a donation – check out these ways to get involved
and help support the work we do.
PET FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP
In addition to cat rescue, we do all we can to help keep pets and
people together. In 2012, we served 370 clients and distributed
more than 70,000 pounds of food. The Pantry also provides food
to our cat colony caretakers for free-roaming cats, some of whom
feed 10 or more cats on a daily basis. Our main source of pet food
for our Pantry has discontinued its program, leaving us at a large
deficit – we need your help.
What we need: Kibble/dry food, canned food (please note that
although our Pantry serves dogs and cats, we are in most need
of cat food).
Here’s how you can help:
• Visit our Amazon Wishlist (name: Tree House Humane Society)
and have cat food sent directly to us (many will ship with FREE
shipping via Amazon)
• Drop off food at either our Bucktown or Uptown locations
• Have a food drive in your neighborhood, block party, at your
children’s events, local pet store, etc.
ITEMS FOR OUR SHELTER
Help our Cats in Cages
Cats who need to spend time in a cage due to health issues,
or who are recovering from injuries need exercise and
stimulation. We are in constant need of cage scratchers to help
provide these kitties with exercise and activity. You can help
by purchasing Stretch & Scratch brand cage scratchers. Visit
stretchandscratch.com or call
760-815-5686 to place an order
and have it shipped directly to our
Shelter Headquarters at 1212 W.
Carmen Ave., Chicago, IL 60640.
Help with Shelter Supplies on our Amazon Wishlist
We are always in need of items for our shelter and to use
for events. An easy way to help is by shopping our wish list
on Amazon.com
• Order from Amazon and ship direct to Tree House
• Wishlist name: Tree House Humane Society
Most urgent needs include: Collapsible crates, top-loading
carriers, and an iPad (for our year-end raffle). You can also
drop-off donations at: Tree House Humane Society, 1212
W. Carmen Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 or 1629 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622.
SHOP AND SUPPORT TREE HOUSE
There are several opportunities for you to support Tree House
while you get a little retail therapy (visit: TreeHouseAnimals.org/
WaysToHelp to learn more):
Thirty One online store: Great totes, accessory bags, and
storage with style for all you need to carry! 15% of sales
support Tree House.
Visit: thirtyone.com/Telvidge
Click on: Place an order
Click on: Tree House Humane Society Fundraiser
U.S. Bones Rewards Fundraising Program for Animal Shelters and Rescues: Shop online for a variety of pet products including dog and cat food, cat litter, treats, and more at usbones.com.
FUNDRAISE FOR LIFE EVENTS SUCH AS:
• Weddings
• Birthdays
• Births
• Anniversaries
Or remember someone special by creating a special memorial
page and asking individuals to donate in their honor.
Visit firstgiving.com/TreeHouseCats
Thanks so much for your help!
For more ideas on how you can help, please visit:
TreeHouseAnimals.org/WaysToHelp
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OVERLOOKED BUT NOT FORGOT
THE “DIFFICULT” CAT? MEET SOME OF OUR MORE OVERLOOKED RESIDENT CATS WHO JUST
NEED PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING
Cats are social animals, but they also have innate survival instincts. Once
a cat is wary of human contact, individuals must make an effort to win
their love. Socializing cats who are too often viewed as ‘difficult’ begins
with a basic understanding of feline needs and the ways in which they
communicate. For Tree House cats, most of whom have come from the
streets or from situations of abandonment or abuse, we work to provide
them with opportunities for additional socialization and interactive play to
help ease their fears and enable them to better trust humans.
Following are several Tree House cats who struggle with the issue of
becoming overstimulated. However, as mentioned in our cover story,
all it takes is some basic knowledge of feline behavior, a little patience,
and a lot of love to be able to have a fruitful relationship with a cat with
these tendencies. Additionally, when we consider a cat’s environment and
triggers, it enables us to better understand why a cat may be acting out
and take the time to get to know the truly wonderful cat underneath versus
dismissing them as ‘difficult’. These cats have waited far too long for the
forever home they deserve, and would love a patient and experienced cat
person who could give them a second chance at a happy home life.
JEAN KELLY
We found a sad and scared cat crying outside in a carrier one rainy
morning in 2008. She had been abandoned at our Bucktown Branch
with a handwritten note: “I like soft blankets, pillows, and treats.
Please love me!” When found, she was chirping, meowing, and
crying, causing someone to remark that she was “Singin’ in the Rain”.
She also had a throaty voice and masculine features which led us to
believe she was a male, and she was therefore named Gene Kelly.
Upon examination, however, it was determined that she was actually a
stately female and the spelling of her name was appropriately changed
to Jean Kelly, and thus began her life at Tree House.
In her Uptown colony room, Jean Kelly is a sweet cat who still has
a lot to say and is notorious for being the disembodied meow in the
room since she loves hiding under blankets while chirping away. Jean
prefers to be in charge of her interactions with humans. While she is
fond of laps and face scratches, she has to initiate them. She values
her alone time and will alert you with a swat the moment she’s had
enough!
Despite a tough exterior, she has a gentle heart and has found love in
one of her feline roommates, Creepers, as well as his brother, Jeepers;
the trio often roam their room in a pack. Jean Kelly is a headstrong and
sassy lady with a warm, affectionate side. She would be an excellent
companion for someone who could respect her space and earn her
adoration. And, it wouldn’t surprise us one bit if in a home of her
own, her overstimulation issues dissipate. She just needs a chance
to prove it.
10
POPPYSEED
Poppyseed resides at our Bucktown Branch, and celebrated her five-year
anniversary at Tree House this past March. Poppyseed is an independent,
sassy, and all-around alpha female. She was found abandoned in an
apartment building where one of our staffers lived. It was apparent
that she had most likely lived her entire life as a happy housecat and
Poppyseed naturally had a hard time transitioning to life in a cageless,
adoption center. She was scared and lost. It can be stressful for many
cats to regulate and try to adjust to an environment with so many other
cats with different personalities, and a steady stream of visitors. Due
to the stress created by a new and unfamiliar environment, Poppyseed
became increasingly wary of people. She had her guard up and at times
would react in an aggressive manner, and was only open to receiving
petting or affection on her terms.
Over time, Poppyseed has gained a circle of human followers who have
remained faithful and devoted. In return, she has opened up her affections
to a few committed volunteers and staff. In fact, she now relaxes
enough to curl up on one individual’s lap or allow a nice combing of her
beautiful tabby coat! It’s important to keep in mind that sometimes first
impressions with cats like Poppyseed can be clouded by the behaviors
that are simply reactions to the many things that can provoke them. We
know that Poppyseed just needs to win the admiration of an adopter who
will give her a chance to let her personality shine. Comfort and security
make a big difference for many cats.
BERTIE
Handsome Bertie managed to survive months with an injured leg outside
before admission to Tree House. When he arrived, he was underweight,
matted, and covered in flea dirt. With simple and devoted care, his health
improved significantly. His immune system may be compromised by Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) but Bertie has blossomed at Tree House.
Bertie is on a canned-food-only diet to manage his weight. Being restricted
to the diet room has turned him into quite an escape artist; he slips silently
between the legs of unsuspecting visitors and shoots out the open door to
gain access to the kibble in the adjoining colony room.
When not planning his next escape, Bertie is content to lounge in the sunlight,
but don’t let his relaxed pose mislead you, as unsuspecting guests who
attempt to give him a soft belly rub run the risk of meeting his claws. Generally
very affectionate and cuddly, Bertie is prone to overstimulation, making it
particularly important to pay attention to his body language when interacting
with him. When he is understood and individuals avoid overstimulating him,
he is as silly and lovable as a giant kitten, which is why he is such a favorite
among our youth volunteers. He delights with occasional bursts of energy
which sometimes causes him to run in place like a cartoon cat. Bertie is like
so many other cats who can become overstimulated, once you get to know
their true character, you will make a friend for life.
TEN
JEAN KELLY
POPPYSEED
SHIMMY
Eight years ago, our Executive Director rode a cherry picker to the top of a
utility pole to rescue Shimmy after we had received calls from concerned
neighbors, who stated she’d been atop the pole for several days. We don’t
know what made Shimmy run up that pole, however it may or may not
have had something to do with her issues with overstimulation ever since.
Shimmy is a very beautiful and chatty cat who now resides in her own
office at our Bucktown Branch. While she might be considered by some
as “difficult”, she has many fans, and those who know her and spend time
with her understand that many of her issues and anxiety are triggered by
the stress of being in a shelter environment. Shimmy is another example
of a cat who has struggled with having to live with so many cats and
not having the stability and consistency of a forever home and dedicated
guardian. Although Shimmy enjoys humans and social interaction, she
can become overstimulated by too much attention, in which case she
might scratch or bite the nearest individual. With a kitty like Shimmy,
it’s important to monitor her body language, and for individuals to stop
whatever behavior or activity they are doing that appears to be agitating
her. She has specific places on her body where she prefers to be petted
(like the cute orange triangle between her ears) and other areas that are
triggers for her overstimulation.
When learning to understand cats like Shimmy, it is a bit like a puzzle, and
it takes time to determine how the pieces fit together and what actions
they like and which trigger them. Sometimes we must challenge them to
find out the result or to progress toward the next hurdle. With cats, the
advancement may be a bit harder to track, but it can be achieved with
patience and diligence. Sometimes, the most important thing you can
give a cat is time, and with an open heart and open mind, you can find the
joy of a cat ready to give back as much as she receives.
BERTIE
enjoys playing, but is often too on edge to fully enjoy playtime. Sarah has
clearly been through a great deal and would appreciate a home of her own
with a quiet person who could encourage her to trust humans at her own
pace. Given this, we are sure that her symptoms of overstimulation would
be reduced significantly.
IPSO
Beautiful Ipso arrived at Tree House shortly after her guardian became
homeless. Ipso and her previous guardian lived in a car for some time,
which forced her to have to catch her own food to supplement her lack of a
regular diet. Ipso was very upset on her first day at Tree House and would
not allow anyone to handle her. After reaching the adoption floor, she has
had a hard time transitioning to living with so many other cats, and she
often growls when they approach. Her overall state of alert causes her to
sometimes swat at people who mean well but do not realize how guarded
she is. For both her own health and safety, and the well being of the other
cats and visitors, Ipso occasionally needs time away to settle and has her
own designated acclimation cage for this purpose.
Ipso has special volunteers who work on building her trust, and we are
thrilled to see the hard work is paying off as Ipso’s level of comfort seems
to be improving. Slowly, her tolerance for the other cats has increased for
longer periods of time, and there are times when she’ll seek out attention
from people. Ipso’s perfect guardian would also be willing to give her as
much time as needed to acclimate, as well as putting in the time needed
to further coax out the affectionate side of this gorgeous girl.
SARAH FERGUSON
Sadly, sweet Sarah Ferguson was found wandering the streets, limping
on sore paws because her claws had grown into the pads of her feet.
Hers was a serious case and required emergency veterinary care, which
she received thanks to the Triumph Critical Care Fund, created by one of
our most generous supporters. Sarah Ferguson resides at our Uptown
Headquarters. Her physical health is much improved since admission, but
her emotional health is still fragile. She spends most of her day sleeping,
often with her head buried under the covers, and she does not eat as
well as we’d like. Sarah Ferguson is extremely uncomfortable around
other cats. If she feels trapped or stressed, she will lash out at whoever is
nearby, often times hissing a warning. She often slinks around the room
as though she’s being stalked. Sarah Ferguson is sweet with people and
enjoys head and chin scratches, craning her neck to receive attention.
SHIMMY
SARAH FERGUSON
IPSO
However, if she feels threatened, she will swipe at the hand that pets her.
With a cat like Sarah it is important to stay focused while petting her. She
11
HAPPY ENDINGS
THE THIRD TIME’S A CHARM - ERNESTINA FINDS A LOVING HOME
Ernestina arrived at Tree House as a fluffy, five-month-old kitten.
It seemed like she would end up in a good home in no time.
However, her journey to a forever home has been a tumultuous
one. Ernestina has been adopted and returned to Tree House
twice — through absolutely no fault of her own. Ernestina was
first adopted with another Tree House cat named Sugar Cookie
in March of 2001. Unfortunately, they were both returned seven
years later when her adopters decided they traveled too much to
keep them. Ernestina got a second chance at a forever home in
August 2010, but the adopter returned her after only nine days.
Again, it wasn’t Ernestina’s fault; her adopter sent a heartbreaking
email explaining that the timing was all wrong, and that she wasn’t
ready for a cat.
We hear that Ernestina is settling into the role of housecat once
again. Her adopters have shared that “Ernestina is more than
terrific and happy. She has situated herself very well in the house
and loves to sit by the fish tank with her new best friend Snickers
(their other cat), who now grooms her daily; she stretches out
and enjoys every second of it.” We hear that she has taken to the
adopter’s children as well as they have to her. Milus is in charge
of brushing her fur while her younger child, Isaiah, likes to play
Spiderman with Ernestina, who simply takes it all in. “Ernestina
brings happiness to my family!” says Marcie. While we miss her
here at Tree House, it is our goal to help every cat find their forever
home, and we are so grateful that Ernestina finally received her
“Happy Ending” with people who adore and respect her.
Ernestina was overlooked for several years, in part because of
health issues including a mild heart murmur and stomatitis (a
dental disease), but also because she was prone to overstimulation.
Ernestina would bark or swat if she was approached in a manner
that she disapproved of, yet part of the challenge she faced was
adapting to the shelter environment. Ernestina became a fixture in
our front room, which receives a great deal of traffic – from people
and cats – on a daily basis. Most individuals passing through the
room would stop to give her some form of attention, such as a pet,
kiss, or brush, along with the necessary medication she needed.
It was an overwhelming environment for poor Ernestina. She was
far from an aggressive cat, and she would simply communicate
that she’d had enough with a swat or gentle smack. Those who did
not know her or understand the environment she had to tolerate
mislabeled her as “fickle”, “moody”, “a princess”, or “a diva” and
one whack of her soft, ineffective paw was enough to keep them
from truly getting to know the sweet cat underneath.
Toward the end of 2012, Ernestina suffered from a severe cold
which took its toll on her health. Despite our best efforts, her
health declined, and we feared she would not bounce back or have
a chance to find her forever home. But Ernestina prevailed and
began to return to her sweet self. Then she caught the eye of Tree
House volunteer Marcie Hendricks and her son, Milus, who fell
in love with her. Thankfully, they took the time to get to know the
true Ernestina and after many weekly visits, they decided to take
her home in February!
12
ERNESTINA
REMEMBERING
OUR SUPPORTERS HONOR AND REMEMBER THEIR
FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO BENEFIT OUR STRAYS
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MAMA
Our cat Mama passed away on October 23rd, 2012. Mama was
our life and joy, she was the boss. Gone but not forgotten, what a
cat she was. Loved her so much.
~ Shirley Lensky & John Miller
MAMA
IN HONOR OF STEVE DALE
~ Matrix Partners
IN LOVING MEMORY OF TIGGER
~ Pamela Goffinet-Martinez
~ Joanie Wiinblad
~ Sandra Thielz
~ Kathleen Vaughn
~ David Helt
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MANNY
My companion, my friend, and family member.
You will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
June 1997 to April 30, 2013.
STEVE DALE
~ Michael Gidwitz
EDITOR’S NOTES
We regret that Robert Klaus was inadvertently left out of the donor
listing in the 2012 Year-In-Review. His name should have been
listed under the $250 - $499 donor category. We apologize for
this omission.
Tributes included are approximately from the beginning of January
to the end of April. To add a tribute message to Tree House News,
we request a gift of $50 or more. To include a photo with your
tribute message, we request a gift of $100 or more. We can also
send a tribute card to anyone you designate. Feel free to use the
enclosed envelope to make your tribute gift. Thank you!
MANNY
If you are interested in learning more about planned giving and
leaving a legacy for the animals, please contact David de Funiak
at 773-784-5488 ext. 226 or [email protected].
13
REMEMBERING
14
IN MEMORY OF...
• Tigger – Tree House Sponsor Cat
Pamela Goffinet-Martinez
Joanie Wiinblad
Sandra Thielz
Kathleen Vaughn
David Helt
• Emily Gabrielsen
Anne & Kenji Yatsushiro
Eric & Lorie Waehner
Valdina Creasy
Jerry & Peggy Hudson
Randy Fisher
Stanley Rebacz &
Lynne Gabrielsen
Sarah & Mitchell Lieberman
John & Susan Sarmiento
• Muffy
Valerie & Ross Lober
• Deirdre O’Shea
F. Evon
• Hope
Linda Viska
• Jeff Ponczak
Glen & Joni Ponczak
James Sonnenberg
Nina Slodki
William & Wendy Choslovsky
• Joe the Cat
Gretchen Dietz
• Robert K. Goldmann,
Engywok, & Marco
Lisa Goldmann
• Esther James
Kenneth James
• Mama
John Miller & Shirley Lensky
• Elizabeth
Marina Yonan
• Crackers
Michael & Carrie Gidwitz
• Mattie, Geffen, Sophie,
Marcello, & Miss Viv
Jason & Keri Pesola
• Jean Fleck
William Fleck
• Murphy Casey
Carol Casey
• Fred
Scott & Wendi Nations
• Casino
Patty Delony
• Mandy
Diane Tymick
• Timothy Rundle
Douglas & Kathleen Rundle
• Cricket
Doris Reside
• Martina Connors
Kelly Kinney
• Buddy, Winnie, Willy, & Wally
Nicoletta Dipietro
• Sasha
Robin Doyle
• Patti Spatz
Conrad Spatz
• Tiffany Rose Dust
Hazel Lindenbaum
• Beans
Kay Harris
• Tara
Grazyna Giminska
• Jasper
Tracey & Steven Hallman
• Lucy, Peach, & Jim
Deborah Brown & Benita
Smolny
• Cuddles & Rocky
Jeanne Lamping
• Barbara DeFuniak
C. Gardnar Stevens
• Ollie
Douglas Stoltzfus &
Steve Lobacz
• Molly
Richard Thompson
• Bert
Marueen Fitzpatrick &
Douglas Armstrong
• Lieve
Kevin O’Neill & Debra
Wierus-O’Neill
• Ellie
Roger & Cheryl Gansauer
• Eliot
Andre Daugavietis & Maureen
Duffy-Daugavietis
• Marcia Williams &
Evelyn Tempe
Vicki Strobel
• Cootie Bug
Donna Marie Jesudowich
• Slate
Marsha Sible
• Misdif
Emilie Remus
• McVicker
April Louise Nemrava
• Lucille M. Reyes
Richard & Susan Witt
Marion Frick
Christine Johnson
• Thelma
Marilyn Hallett
• Charlotte Kolton Dillion
Gerald & Judith Szesko
• Kathy Ulanowski
Kennth Ulanowski
• Sunny & Cleo
Sandy Pinckert
• Sally from the Alley
Joan Cook
• Sophie Allen Spencer
John & Sylvia Kinney
• David Zignon
Marcine Todd
• Bette
Dean & Norma Munson
• Judy Schiltz
Lou & Joan Episcope
Cynthia Dombek
• Eve
Elizabeth Liwazer
• Zoe
Ruth Meyer
• Bailey
Anna Voeller
• Purrs
Mary Lou Hudson
• Skittles
Allen & Nancy Labecki
• Jelly
Carol Massey
• Luna (Speakeasy)
Emily & James Smith
• 99
James DeSomer
• Vickie Boone Novi
Edward Novi
Sandra Kleck
• Bo & Rory
Garry Grygotis
• Dusty, Tiffany, Rose, May,
& Mollyann
Hazel Lindenbaum
• Raymond J. Zittman
Ronald Urbaniak
Mike Roche
• Minnie Green
Elaine Wittendorfer
• Sylvia
Deborah Everds
• John Teare
Jacqueline Teare
• Hillary
Sandy Pinckert
• Dorothy Moross
Linda Moross
• Simba & Caleb
John Heckmann
• Daisy
Sharon Clement
• Norma Cobbs
Raji Bala
• May (1997 – 2013)
Christopher Long & Daniel Nehm
• Frosty & Fluffy
John & Judith MacLeod
• Tyke & Ollie
Heather Groh
• Sheila Logan
Michael & Connie Summers
• Tiger & Midnight
Phyllis Wilmouth
• Alicia
Albin & Helen Tyminski
• Barbara J. Duree
Margaret Banks
• Tig
Mike & Jennifer DePriest
• Charles
Geraldine Heitzman
• Jasmine
Elaine Cyplick
• Ann Cholakian
Girair Cholakian
• Thomas M. McAuliffe
Nicole Finitzo
• Bandit
Liz Copeland
• Solace
Kelli Walker
• KoKo
Edward Carroll
• Ginsu
Daniel & Diane Jursa
• Richard Daynowski
Toby Singer
• May, Molly, Sassy, & Sane
Morton & Anne Stern
• B.C. & Mooch
Teresa Brake
• Buttons, Tiger, Cassie, &
Rusty
Lucille Wendell
• Elfrieda Sudhoff
Cynthia Butler
• Sammy & Alex
Debbie Gonzalez
• Digit
John Gordon &
William Salvato
• Maxie
Patrick & Shirley Higgins
• Gadzooks & Yonkers,
& in honor of Paddleboat
& San Pan
T.J. Johnsrud
• Samie, & in honor of Prince
Michael Lucarelli
• Stella & Gracie, & in honor
of Mr. Mazal
Bonita Hoefler & Jack Trytten
• Pookie, Raisin, & Taco, &
in honor of Khaki Annecko
Shelly Clauze
• Charlie & Isabelle, & in honor
of Alinga
Mary Duffy
• Judy Falco
Lawrence Wilson
• Tiger Joyce
Marilyn Hallett
• William Goldstein
Paula Pohill
• Carolyn Gralewski
Kristin Groberg
• Basia Praznowski
Lynne Gabrielsen
• Stanley Prezette
Linda Stellon
• Maya Fortenese
Edward Dworkin
• Pearl Cole
Joann Townsend
• John Terry Power Tatum
Bob Novak
• Ruckus Lacey
• Kimberly Radich
• Lillian Pritikin
Katherine Kuscevich
Edel Schufreider
Zorina Matavulj
• Alex Orr
Drew Hopkins
• Pierre Barrett
Tera Miller
• Willy & Syrus Kiorpes
Lucy Sims
• Tiger Huppert
Kristen Dewitt
• Carol Allanson
Ann Allanson
• Zachary Brendel
Judy Kaiser
• Sylvester Vroman
Cynthia Vroman
• Pinky Sullivan
Barbara Pratter
• Samantha Ann Ferguson
Amy Ferguson
• Dorothy Biddle
Judith Biddle
• Mallow
Mary Jean Kraybill
• Sol Isaacson
Marjorie Isaacson
• Gismo Bain
Margaret Bain
• Anabel Preston
Charles & Alexandra Uth
• Mieze Ravel
Anneliese Znaidia
• Mr. Lucky Fabricant
Mindy Schwartz
Amy Levy
• LuvBug Prisekin
Douglas Savitsky & Erika Skoek
• Kali Mills
Megan Campbell
• Jinx Zalenski
Cheryl Zalenski
• Karola “Kari” Schoppe
Sara Sandberg-Thoma
Lauren Altenburger
Sarah Lang
Cynthia Alcantara
Employees at OAA
Service Center
• Gil Weinstein
Richard Kotrba
• Donna Lee Adkins
Kimberly Chiew
• Fido Feil
Anneliese Znaidia
• Catherine “Tati” Greensley
From loving nieces & nephews:
Jan, Jim, Kathy, Michelle, Greg,
& John
Jim & Krystyna Monahan
• Sylvia Lederer
Jeanette Wehmeier
• Jeepers Proper
Bridget Mutter
• Zoe Meyer
Susan Meyer
• Mr. Spina
Natalie White
• Cheryl Sarich
Michael Roe
• Edward Minick
Cheryl Chalfant
Michael Vernon & Halley Aldeen
• Abbey
Sarah Kaspar
• Sauce of Trout Towne
Bonnie Cunningham
• Coco Madore
Debra Leon
• Seuss the Cat Frost
Andrew Solomon
• Tom McAuliffe
Susan Nugent
• Dave Marmalade Scotch
Warren Sampson
• Dave Alspaugh
Barbara Alspaugh
• Moo Stewart-Cooley
Michael Vernon & Halley Aldeen
• Hannibal Zackfia
Melissa Wood
• Ann Nickol
Timothy Tolan
• Colette Eggert
Lynn Minich
• Kate Superczynski
Richard Pena & Edith Podrazik
• Callie Cheek
Fredricka Cheek
IN HONOR OF...
• Alexandra Uth
John & Colleen Uth
• Patricia Hefner
Kathleen Schmidt
• Eleanor Perry
Deborah Perry
• Terry Connolly
Anne Melinda Gulyash
• Jennifer Mihalik
Dylan Roeh
• Otis & T-bone Walker
Anne Dasovic
• Susan Lane’s 70th Birthday
Jean Yates
• Tashi
Clare Dean
• Ollie
Genna Bebko
• Ann Linton
Tracy, Gracie, & George Unger
Celia Gillard
• Kiersten Essenpreis’s
Birthday
Justin Essenpreis
Courtney Essenpreis
• Monet Cutter’s Birthday
Marie Galoney
• Roger Anderson &
Lindsay Colbert
Michael Wasserman
• Aaron Chait & Meghan
Davison
Michael Wasserman
• Phillip Jordan Devon
Michael Wasserman
• Peter & Megene Forker
Michael Wasserman
• Kevin & Shannon Gaydos
Michael Wasserman
• Jennifer Simms
Michael Wasserman
• Keith Watts
Michael Wasserman
• Jennifer Weber
Michael Wasserman
• Hankee & Guerrero
Donna Renee Smith
• Blanco, Batman, Quincy, Prince,
Phantom, & Button
Patrice Joy Zamenhof
• Bountiful, Cheri, Jennifer, Perch,
& other pals
Rosemary Erickson
• Oscar
Judith Kreczmer
• Phil, Slick, & Sparky
Mark & Lise Thorsby
• Maria Edstrom’s Birthday
Lynn Kosar
Phil Edstrom
Richard & Lori Pearce
Bethy Nygaard
Jon & Carol Rechtzigel
• Booger, Buddy, Brian, Molly,
& Smokey
Helen Mohr
• Aja, Sparrow, Miles, Jackson,
& Harvy
Gary & Sheila Courington
• Sydney Olsen
Robin & Eirik Olsen
• Tree House Cats
Toni Chan & Alice Tse
• Little Foot & Cow Cow
Toni Chan & Alice Tse
• Hemi, Piper, & Meimei
Toni Chan & Alice Tse
• Stardust, Belle, Priscilla,
Elvis, & Frederique
Darlyn Delaney
• Mia & Fiyero Flagg-Eaton
Michael Flagg & Greg Eaton
• All the kitties!
Julia Chosy
• Maggie Hirshfeld
Sara Remington
• Drexel
Ryan Johnson & Regan Brewer
• Rio & Addie
Colleen Cushing
• Neal & Roger
Koni Shaughnessy
• Dexter, Grayson, Inky, & Midnight
Christina Pulawski
• Waldo, Tilly, & Scrub
Stephanette Smith
• Tree House Humane Society
Debra Hunter
• Heather Steffen
Mark Delaney
• Saki, Penny, Sasha, Lily,
Cloey, & Olive
Jane Degolier
• Betty Jacobsen
Constance Luedicke
15
REMEMBERING
• Horatio Ben
Jennifer Pagnini
• Marina Yonan
Rebecca Yonan
• Matthew & Karla Bush
Timothy Bush
Theresa Kuhrt
• Janis & Fred Krueger
Neala Fink
• Betty Kalber
Kathy Kalber Kinsella
• Sasha, Alice, Sammy, Djimmi,
Buster, Fuzzy, Karma, Blackie,
& Frankie
William Bader
• Cindy & Matt Kuzma
Carol Kells
• Miss Abigail Fulton
Stephanie Hlywak & Gabe Estill
• Cynthia Czuba
Chris Gabrielsen
• Laurel Dearborn
Marissa Wilkin
• Scott Wheeler
Karen Wheeler
• Tessa Schmelling
Stephanie Hughes
• Pat Messick
Donald & Kathleen Knop
• Sally Wallach
Jennifer Hanna
• Karen Schmidt
Kathleen Schmidt
• Marilyn Strojny
Courtney Currie
• Sam
Jennifer Achuthan
• Ann & Jeff Clark
Cathy Freigle
• Pat & Tom Glavin
Garry Sonnenfeld
• Love
Ronald & Sharon Rogowski
• Allan Bolchazy
Ladislaus & Marie Bolchazy
• Brett Gentile
Marylen Gentile
• My Friends, donated on their
behalf for Christmas in lieu of gifts
Ann Linton
• Jeff & Denise Feulner
Scott & Terri McMurtry
• Vets & Staff at Chicago Cat Clinic
Ann Lavon
• Carol Fletcher
Julianne Williams
• Ellen Bartnik-Szymanski
Tammy Vanek
16
• Linda Mason
William Mason
• George Butler-Ford
A. Ford
• Carrie & Allison Newman
Alexandra Newman
• Brenda Williams
Deborah Ratner
• Raymond O’Brien
Matt O’Brien
• Gary Watkins
Eric Watkins
• Owain & Gweynneth Alexander
Uncle Kevin Case
• Kenzie Cameron
Amy Rettberg
• Brendan Malec
Mickie Flanagan
• Judi & Casey Hollatz
Jeanette Pesnikov
• Dr. Pancake & Waffle Davis
Layne Lebahn
• Lolly O’Conner
Claudine Parra
• Hiromi Ishikawa
Donna Palumbo
• Kate Walker
Lindsay Crammond
• Willie
Max & Florence Gabbard
• Lucky
Daniella Leinwand
• Marcia Ianno
Adam Ianno
• Alexandra Grant
Thomas Twomey
• Mike Rocheleau
Pam Alvarez
• Moomin
Alison McKinzie
• Jack & Terri Kerr
Verda Wille
• Susan Deming
Debra Shirley
• Rose Schreier’s Birthday
Sharon Schreier
• Tom & Sally Bagley’s 50th
Anniversary
Linda Willareth
• Heather & Heidi Mitchell
Gerald & Wanda Mitchell
• Kelly Kiorpes
Anthony Kiorpes
• Joan Conover
Randy Schnell
• Dr. Lynda Ewald
Kathleen Brown
• Pablo & Mochi Daniels
David Stagman
• McGreggor “Mac” Kramer
Marilyn Kramer
• Janelle Hoekstra
Katherine Van Horne
• Maggie Bobbitt
Michael Flagg & Greg Eaton
• Mr. Bill & Bear
Mary Jane Endicott
• Susan Weisberg
Brittany Plath
Joyce Garst
• June Spilburg
Jennifer Sauer
• Lisa Wise
Barbara Schulhoff
• Dijon
Marilyn Cevicius
• Sally Bennett
Rachel Bennett
• Noel Roberts’s Birthday
Susan Holzmeister
• Joyce Alberts
Iris Osten
• David Scott Nusbaum
Howard & Joanne Nusbaum
• Ellen Szymanski-Bartnik
Carol Vanek
• Lisa Wise’s 50th Birthday
Alan & Jeanette Zemsky
• Steve Dale
Matrix Partners
• Halvorson’s Three Cats
Joy & Dean Halvorson
• Corey Lindsey
Patrice Michaels
• Don Bergh & Veronica
Belsuzarri’s Wedding
Thomas McIeish
Cary Shoda
• Chiquin Johnson
Clelia Johnson
• Dave Harper
Darlene Grandolfo
• Scout
Mara Zile
• Heather & Larissa Taylor
Susan Leahy
• Darryl DePriest
Ruth Savolaine
• Tree House
Foster Parents
Lynn Welter
• Catherine Borovina
T. Leslie Fisher
• Otis Minegar
Alan Sochacki
• Bo & Amanda
Johnson’s Marriage
Teri Brown
Patricia Atchison
Calvin & Deborah Blood
Beverly Jouza
• Charles & Alex Uth
John & Colleen Uth
• Kathi Colvin
Catherine Clamp
• Felicitas, Oxymoron,
& Hyperbole
Richard Kiechhefer &
Barbara Newman
• Linus the Cat
Michael Yonan & Adam
Connors
• Poncho
Corinne Wentworth
• Jack
C. Marie Johnson
• Karen Fitt’s Birthday
Patricia Jacobs
• Wyatt Asner
Chantel Asner
• Alice Driscoll
Joseph Driscoll
• Midori Lee
Diana Bolz-Lambert
• Sarah Poontong
David Block
• Carol Hofer & Ken
Donhauser’s Wedding
David & Joy Inverso
CHICAGO VETERINARY
EMERGENCY & SPECIALTY
CENTER
OPENING JULY 2013
Chicago Veterinary Cancer Center
Medical & Radiation Oncology
PawsitivEnergy Rehabilitation Center
Rehabilitation
When your pet gets sick, you want the best care for them. Our experienced emergency
veterinarians and board certified specialists provide state-of-the-art care when your pet needs it
most. For 35 years, we have been a trusted partner to your veterinarian in the care of your pet.
EXPERIENCE AND CARE
THAT YOU AND YOUR
VETERINARIAN CAN TRUST
OUR BOARD-CERTIFIED AND RENOWNED EXPERTS ARE READY WHEN YOUR PET NEEDS US MOST
EMERGENCY SERVICES
DENTISTRY & ORAL SURGERY
Dr. Jerry Klein
Dr. Cindy Charlier
Dr. Stacia Volbrecht
Dr. Bill Krug
Supervising Veterinarian
Diplomate ACVR
Diplomate ACVIM
Dr. Adam Prink
Diplomate ACVS
Dr. Jack MacKenzie
Diplomate ACVIM
Dr. Arathi Vinayak
NEUROLOGY & NEUROSURGERY
Diplomate ACVS
Dr. Michael Podell
DERMATOLOGY
OPHTHALMOLOGY
RIV
ED
HOR
ES
LAK
HALSTED
RACINE
E
CHICAGO VETERINARY EMERGENCY & SPECIALTY CENTER
SHERIDAN
C
ST
EL
B
LY
U
N
O
O
RN
I-9
Experience and care
that you and your
veterinarian
can trust.
Diplomate ACVIM
ASHLAND
DAMEN
WESTERN
CALIFORNIA
LOGAN
/
– On-site laboratory
and blood bank
Diplomate ACVS
DIVERSEY
EX
PY
Dr. Aaron Jackson
Dr. Steven Neihaus
Dr. Seth Ghantous
BELMONT
Y
– Advanced surgical suites
Diplomate ACVS
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Diplomate ACVIM
Dr. Jeff Brourman
Diplomate ACVS
Dr. Jason Crawford
Dr. Zachary Niman
– CT, MRI & diagnostic ultrasound
SURGERY
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
Dr. Michael Luethy
ED
Diplomate ACVR
Resident
Diplomate ACVIM
– Fully staffed emergency & critical care facility
Dr. Jayme Looper
Dr. Marika Constantaras
CARDIOLOGY
NN
ONCOLOGY
Diplomate AVDC
Dr. Brooke Bartell
Dr. Baruch Caballero
Dr. Rachel Fluegge
Dr. Sinyee Fok
Dr. Dylan Frederickson
Dr. Tracy Goode
Dr. Christina Hafemann
Dr. James Hardiman
Dr. Alicea Klemas
Dr. Michael Mallard
Dr. Rebecca Patterson
Dr. Erin Tennyson
State-of-the-Art Facility Open
24 Hours Every Day of the Year
Diplomate ACVIM
Diplomate AVDC
ER Director
KE
Dr. Rebecca Windsor
0/
94
3123 N. Clybourn
Emergency Care
Intensive Care
Specialty Care
N
|
Chicago, IL
|
773-281-7110
|
www.ChicagoPetEmergency.com
‘CAT’ALOG
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
PRODUCTS FOR THE CAT AND CAT LOVER IN YOUR LIFE
A
B
C
Sale!
A. Tree House Holiday Cards
Tree House Cats Photograph Designs (Set A).......................$8.00
Set of 12 – “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hannukah”
Shelly Atkinson Lights of Love Illustration............................$8.00
Set of 12 – “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”
House Lights Design.............................................................$5.00
Cat in Basket Design.............................................................$5.00
B. 2013 Tree House Calendar....................................................$5.00
C. Tree House Cat Ornaments
Cat with Bow Pewter Ornament............................................$7.00
Three Wise Cats (wooden) ...................................................$4.00
Plush Angel Cat with Snowflake............................................$2.00
Plush Cats with Jingle Bells (set of two) ..............................$3.00
D
G
J
E
H
F
T
V
W
X
Z
AA
I
For full descriptions, and
to see more items, please
visit our website:
TreeHouseAnimals.org
New Items!
D. Ceramic Egg Bowl......................................... $16.00 – Item #189
E. Frank & Fifi, set of 2......................................... $3.00 – Item #184
F. Catnip Wedge ............................................. $3.00 – Item #126
G. Catnip Cinnamon Bun...................................... $5.00 – Item #129
H. Big Mouth Scoop ................................................................$7.00
Light Blue............................................................................ #188B
Dark Green........................................... .............................. #188G
I. Sticky Paws
XL 9”x12” 5-sheet Pack................................. $12.00 – Item #190
Furniture Strips.............................................. $10.00 – Item #191
J. Tree House Greeting Cards............................... $5.00 – Item #607
18
K – S Catnip Items
K. Kerry Mice....................................................... $5.00 – Item #113
L. Catnip Strawberries.......................................... $4.00 – Item #444
M. Catnip Mat.................................................... $12.00 – Item #105
N. Leona’s Catnip Pillow....................................... $4.00 – Item #107
O. “Bewitched” Bootie....................................... 2/$5.00 – Item #128
P. “Bewitched” Mice............................................. $5.00 – Item #120
Q. “Bewitched” Taco............................................ $4.00 – Item #127
R. “Bewitched” Fish............................................. $4.00 – Item #139
S. “Bewitched” Kitty Kicker.................................. $8.00 – Item #132
.
T. Sparkle Balls
Small......................... 4 for $1 – Item #115
Medium..................... 3 for $1 – Item #116
Large......................... $1 each – Item #117
U. Spiral Balls (no photo)............................. $1.00 each – Item #183
V. Joe Jingles....................................................... $3.00 – Item #182
W. Bright Felt Mice............................................... $2.00 – Item #114
X. Wand Toys – Sparkler...................................... $3.00 – Item #135
Cat Charmer..................................................... $6.00 – Item #102
Da Bird............................................................. $7.00 – Item #124
Da Bird Refill.................................................... $4.00 – Item #125
Y. Dragonfly Toy (no photo)............................... $12.00 – Item #111
Z. Cat Dancer – Original....................................... $4.00 – Item #103
With Catnip...................................................... $6.00 – Item #110
AA. Crinkle Bags (various designs).................... $20.00 – Item #126
AB. Peek and Play Toy Box................................. $20.00 – Item #181
HOW TO ORDER
AC
AD
1. Fill out order form completely, including street delivery address ($1.50 extra charge
for non-street address). Specify items to be sent to other persons. Gift card included
upon request; gift wrapping not available.
2. Calculate shipping fee with easy chart below.
3. Send order form with full payment, including shipping (use chart). No billing or COD.
Do not send cash. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery after we receive payment and order.
AE
CHARGE BY PHONE FOR FASTER SERVICE
AC – AE Scratchers
AC. Floor Scratcher............................................ $30.00 – Item #121
AD. Ultimate Scratching Post............................. $75.00 – Item #122
AE. Ultimate Post Perch..................................... $20.00 – Item #165
Call 773-784-5488 ext. 230, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Thursday and
Saturday, to place merchandise orders by phone. Or you may fax your order to 773-7842332 any time. You may also order on our secure website: TreeHouseAnimals.org.
SHIPPING INFORMATION
AF
AG
We ship UPS in the continental US. Extra
$1.50 fee for orders to Canada, Hawaii,
APO & FPO, P.O. Boxes and Parcel Post
(where UPS does not deliver). These
shipments take an additional two weeks.
Shipping charges to foreign countries
quoted upon request. Use a street address
(your business address, if necessary) for
fastest service.
AJ
AF – AL Care, Supply, and More
AF. Adjustable Harness and Leash
Gold............................................................ $10.00 – Item #185G
Blue............................................................. $10.00 – Item #185B
Purple......................................................... $10.00 – Item #185L
Pink............................................................. $10.00 – Item #185P
Red............................................................. $10.00 – Item #185R
Green.......................................................... $10.00 – Item #185N
AG. Canvas Collars............................................................. Item #188
Adult with Charm...................................... $15.00 – Item #188AC
Adult without Charm................................... $12.00 – Item #188A
Kitten with Charm..................................... $15.00 – Item #188KC
Kitten without Charm.................................. $12.00 – Item #188K
Charms (seashell)......................................... $7.00 – Item #188C
AH. Cat Care Products
Cat & Kitten Nail Trimmer (no photo)............ $8.00 – Item #205
Wire Brush (no photo).................................. $6.00 – Item #809
Zoom Groom (no photo)............................. $10.00 – Item #840
AI. Clickers (no photo)......................................... $3.00 – Item #304
AJ. Feliway
Electric Diffuser............................................ $30.00 – Item #301
Electric Diffuser Refill................................... $20.00 – Item #302
Pheromone Spray........................................ $25.00 – Item #303
AK. Peat Seed & Grass Pack (no photo)............... $5.00 – Item #811
AL. Kitty Afghan (no photo)................................. $7.00 – Item #851
EASY SHIPPING/HANDLING/
INSURANCE CHART:
$10.00 or less ............................... $3.00
$10.01-$30.00............................... $4.95
$30.00-$40.00............................... $6.95
$40.01-$50.00 .............................. $7.95
$50.01-$60.00 .............................. $8.95
$60.01-$75.00............................... $9.95
$75.01-$100.00........................... $11.95
$100.01-$150.00......................... $13.95
Over $150.00 .............................. $15.95
Call for delivery to Canada
#1 Ship to Person Ordering
Name
StreetApt.
CityStateZip
Daytime Telephone
(required for credit card purchases)
#2 Ship to Different Address
Name
StreetApt.
CityStateZip
Sign card from
Date to Ship
(optional—for gift order)
Method of Payment
£ Check or Money Order enclosed (Sorry, no CODs or cash)
£ Charge to:  Visa  MasterCard  American Express  Discover
Card Number
Exp. Date
/
/
Signature (required)
Order Form
Item #
AM
AN
Item Description (please print)
Price
Size
Qty. Subtotal
AO
AM – AO Apparel
AM. Tree House Logo Hooded Sweatshirts in Indigo Blue
Unisex. Sizes S, M, L, XL ........................... $35.00 – Item #641
AN. 2012 Stray Pride Tees and Tanks
Unisex Tees. Sizes S, M, L, XL.................. $20.00 – Item #635T
Women’s Tanks. Sizes S, M, L, XL............ $25.00 – Item #635K
AG. Tree House Logo Tees by American Apparel............ $20.00 each
Men’s Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL – Cranberry................. Item #632
Army (Limited Time Only, NO XXL)............................. Item #626
Black........................................................................... Item #627
Navy............................................................................ Item #628
Women’s Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Teal............................................................................. Item #636
Purple......................................................................... Item #633
Light Blue (Limited Time Only)................................... Item #630
Olive............................................................................ Item #631
White (Limited Time Only).......................................... Item #629
Subtotal
20% discount for Tree House members only
Shipping fee from chart (for each address)
Total
*Charitable donation
Final Total
19
Ship To
#1
#2
#1
#2
#1
#2
#1
#2
#1
#2
#1
#2
#1
#2
Thanks to
for sponsoring this year’s
Stray Cat Strut
ArkHealTreeHouseAd5.13.indd 1
5/31/13 12:47 PM
Chicago’s Only Feline Resort & Spa!
S
E
R
V
I
C
E
S
312.244.3738
@meeowchicago
www.meeowchicago.com
Thanks to
for sponsoring this year’s
Stray Cat Strut
NON-PROFIT
ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ELGIN, IL
PERMIT #126
NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART ADOPTION CENTER
& LOW-COST CLINIC COMING SOON
Creating a premier facility that will embody today’s best
practices in housing and treating cats – more space,
improved environment, and expanded services to save
more animals’ lives – until there are no more stray cats.
FINDING MORE FOREVER HOMES
Adoption Center – creating an inviting space to increase
positive interactions with our resident cats and help
even more animals find their forever homes, featuring an
enriching, cageless environment with plenty of sunlight and
vertical space for the cats to enjoy.
PROMOTING PET HEALTH AND WELL BEING
Low-Cost Veterinary Clinic (the first of its kind in Chicago)–
helping improve the ongoing care and health of both cats and
dogs. by supporting low-income families and individuals in
our community with free and low-cost services similar to
those found in private veterinary practices.
EXTENDING OUR REACH
Education Center and Training Area – promoting the humane
treatment of animals, featuring educational and training
sessions on cat and kitten care, and behavior, training, and
certification classes for dogs, and informational seminars
on Pet Trusts, and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
BE A PART OF IT
Learn how you can help us build for the future.
Visit our website at TreeHouseAnimals.org