By Kristin Avery of myrescuedlife.com
The Independent Cat Society (ICS) in Westville, Indiana has been helping stray and abandoned cats find loving homes since 1977. Located one hour east of Chicago and 45-minutes west of South Bend, Indiana, ICS serves Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan, and the Chicago area.
ICS is the largest feline adoption agency in northwest Indiana. On any given day, there are typically 175-200 cats living at the shelter with an average of 6-10 adoptions per week. Cats are admitted as strays, surrendered by their owners, or transferred from open admission shelters and TNR organizations. The shelter strives to help as many cats and pet guardians as possible by providing sanctuary, socialization, and veterinary care as well as education on responsible feline ownership and overpopulation.
ICS strives to provide a safe and happy environment for cats in transition. However, ICS board member and Cat Pawsitive Pro Team Leader Beth Hayden acknowledges that in spite of their best efforts, shelter life is stressful for cats. She hopes Cat Pawsitive Pro will reduce stress, helping cats relax and increase their likelihood of adoption.
“We will be working with a limited number of cats, but our intention is to use these skills to help ALL the cats in our shelter,” Beth says.
ICS participated in the initial Cat Pawsitive program and were amazed at how quickly the cats learned clicker training. The program increased adoptions and also had a ripple effect and positive impact on volunteers, adopters, funders, partners and the community as a whole. Beth and the whole ICS team are thrilled to be back participating in Cat Pawsitive Pro! Beth will continue as Team Leader this semester and will be joined by Sharon Fitzsimmons along with several other key volunteers.
The Scruffys Get A Helping Paw from Cat Pawsitive Pro
Beth has been volunteering with ICS for five years and works primarily with the shy and less socialized cats, affectionately known as the “Scruffys”. ICS has worked hard to reduce the stigma around these cats with a mini PR campaign designed to redefine their room. Their efforts on behalf of the Scruffys have led to adoptions and several cats moving to more public rooms.
“The Scruffys often get overlooked, but I see their potential and want to do whatever I can to help them find forever homes,” Beth says.
When thinking about which cats to include in Cat Pawsitive Pro, Beth and Sharon wanted to work with cats at various stages on the shyness spectrum. Participating cats include: Phoebe, who is just a little timid; Kevin who was once outgoing, but now hides; Cadbury, who keeps to himself on his own shelf; and Little Bit who has not allowed anyone to touch her in years.
Beth says she is most interested in working with Little Bit. This 7-year-old Tuxedo has lived in the Scruffy room for most of her life. Little Bit will play with a laser light or remote control mouse, as long as Beth stands just outside the door. But just recently Little Bit achieved a huge milestone – eating off a spoon that Beth was holding!
The final and most challenging cat the team plans to work with is Pyewacket. This poor guy doesn’t like other cats and hisses and swats at anyone who comes near him. Pyewacket used to be more aggressive, but now just seems depressed, avoiding other cats and people.
“It’s like he’s lost his joy,” Beth says, sadly. “It would be wonderful if we could get him to enjoy other cats, but even tolerating them would be a huge win!”
Cat Pawsitive Pro Trainer-Mentor Lisa Stemcosky is excited about working with the ICS Team. “It’s going to be intense, but these skills will not only help cats like Little Bit and Pyewacket, but every cat that crosses their threshold in the future,” Lisa says.
YOU can improve the lives of cats at risk. Donate today to The Jackson Galaxy Project’s Cat Pawsitive Program and transform the places and people that support at-risk pets!
