Practicing and promoting Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) in DuPage County, Illinois

We're a 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and practicing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) in DuPage County, Illinois. We believe that TNR is the only effective, humane and long-term solution to the problem of cat overpopulation.
The Feral Fixers e-Newsletter - Issue #61 - December, 2015
In This Issue
Holiday Letter from the President
Frosty Claws!
Feral Fixers Wish List
Have you seen our Adoptables?
Want to Help?
Helping Outdoor cats through the Winter
Feral Cat Shelter Options
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook!
Fosters are needed now!
Celebrate 5500 T-Shirts now on Sale!
Shop on ebay - Help Feral Fixers!
How many cats? - 8,435!!
Shop on Amazon - Help Feral Fixers!
Donate to Feral Fixers
Event Calendar
Sometimes the worst accidents have a silver lining...
Shop on CafePress - Help Feral Fixers!
Visit us on the Web
What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?
About us
Dear Friend,

Wow - in just a few days 2015 will be in the rear-view mirror.  It's been a very challenging year for Feral Fixers for various reasons, one of them being that the number of volunteers helping us this year has been down.  In spite of that, Feral Fixers has managed to have 1,157 more cats spayed/neutered as of this writing in 2015, the sixth year in a row we've exceed the 1,000 cat mark!

If you are in the habit of making New Year's Resolutions, a really great one you could make for 2016 would be to volunteer to help us in the coming year.  While we truly cherish and appreciate the volunteers we have, we can use more drivers (to transport cats to/from the PAWS-Chicago spay/neuter clinic), more fosters (to provide a 'halfway house' for the friendly cats and kittens we run across in our TNR efforts until we can get them into their furr-ever homes) and much more.  If you can donate the time, we can make use of you!  Please send an email to info@feralfixers.org and let us know you'd be available - thank you!

FROSTY CLAWS!  FROSTY CLAWS!  FROSTY CLAWS!

Have we mentioned Frosty Claws yet?  This is our biggest event of the year (this will be our eighth Frosty Claws!) and is always a favorite with our friends, supporters and volunteers.  It's coming up soon and you can now purchase tickets at the 'Early Bird' price - information on this is elsewhere in this eNewsletter.

This issue also has a Holiday Letter from the President, an article highlighting three of our Adoptable cats, links to articles on helping outdoor cats through the winter, ways you can help Feral Fixers by buying items for us from our Wish List or buying from eBay or Amazon Smile, a summary of the number of cats we've had spayed/neutered, our current event calendar and much, much more.

And, through the Holidays only, if you click on the special PayPal link to donate to us ($10 or more), PayPal will help out by adding an additional 1% to your donation - it's just another easy way to help us help the cats.

Thank you for reading and thank you for support of Feral Fixers!

Sincerely,


Feral Fixers
Holiday Letter from the President

A Whole 'Nother Year Has Passed!

Can you believe that in a very short time we will be in the year 2016?

2015 has been a year of challenges and change. We've neutered over 1,150 cats, doing so with fewer volunteers. Local shelters have taken over 250 cats and kittens from us for adoption thru their facilities - from bottle babies, kittens that still need to be fostered, kittens ready to go, to adults who have decided that being inside is the life for them! Feral Fixers adoptions during this time are over 210. Impressive numbers when we have about half as many fosters as previous years. As always, we are hoping for fewer calls, fewer kittens in the coming year, the best way to accomplish that is to receive the calls at the beginning of the year, so fewer kittens are born - cross your fingers!!!

We've Touched So Many Lives

During the holidays, we have a flurry of communications with the people we have helped and helped us. Hearing how the cats are doing, the changes the people are going thru, is all very interesting. If only there were time to respond to each card, each note individually! We hear how a particular cat has decided to make themselves at home inside, or how there are only two feral cats left in a neighborhood overrun with cats just a short time before.

One scenario that stands out is how when caretakers move away and find ferals at their new home and cannot believe there is not a local organization like Feral Fixers to help the cats, they enlist the help of neighbors, find a vet who will do neuters at a reduced cost and start to work. That makes us feel really good!

Frosty Claws Is Coming!

Attendees are signing up in advance already, in anticipation of yet another great event! If you would like to volunteer to help transport stuff, set up, tear down, bake something, help with the food at the event, etc., we can always use more help! Please contact Tammy at 630-881-3977 or by email at tnr.tammy@yahoo.com if you can!

Donations for the silent auction are starting to come in - the cut-off for donations to make it into the auction is January 10th. Items that arrive later may automatically be part of our Door Prize drawing - we have excellent items in that category as well and competition can be intense! We always have such a wonderful variety of stuff! Remember when you are donating - new in the package or unique and vintage or hand-crafted should be your guidelines - if your brother or sister wouldn't bid on it, who would? Items come together from several different sources to make some really special gift baskets! I can't wait to see what will show up this year!

YOU are what make this event so special - look forward to seeing you on January 17th!
Feral Fixers Wish List

SPECIAL NOTE - We have recently updated our Wish List on this site.  If you haven't visited it recently, we invite you to do so again in the near future - Thank you!

Want to help Feral Fixers by purchasing something that we really could use?  Then check out our Wish List on Amazon.  It contains many items listed that we would greatly appreciate and they are shipped directly to us!

This is a wonderful way to help Feral Fixers.  Many people prefer to support a charitable organization by purchasing items for them rather than sending them a donation and this is a way you can do so.

To find the Feral Fixers Wish List on Amazon.com, just go to their website and click on the Wish List link near the top, right-hand corner of the page.  Then enter the words "Feral Fixers" (without the quotation marks) into the box that says "Find Someone's Wish List" and hit Enter.  You'll then be presented with all of the items currently on Amazon.com that Feral Fixers would like to have.  Add the item(s) you wish to donate to your Shopping Cart in the normal manner and, when you pay for them, they'll be ordered and shipped directly to Feral Fixers!

And, if you order from the AmazonSmile website (see instructions elsewhere in this eNewsletter for instructions on how to do so), you'll help us in an additional way - you'll have donated one or more items to us AND 1/2% of your purchase price will also be additionally donated to Feral Fixers (this only applies to items that are so eligible - shown in the description of them item).

Thank you!
Have you seen our Adoptables?

Out of over 1150 cats spayed/neutered in 2015 due to our efforts, there are going to be some adoptables - at least 400 in one year!  We work with three main area shelters, West Suburban Humane Society, ADOPT Pet Shelter and Naperville Area Humane Society, and a few others that take cats when they can.  We've found that in order to place these cats, Feral Fixers needs to do adoptions, too.  We'd like to take a bit of space to introduce you to some of the cats we still have on hand at the end of the year.  We totally believe that there is the right home for every cat, even if it takes a while for that home to show up.

Here are just three that need your help in finding the right home for them:

Smoochie
Smoochie has been with us since August and was our 'spokescat' for #Giving Tuesday.  A blanket burrower, he loves people and cats.


Thumbelina
Thumbelina traveled from Southern Illinois to end up outside in DuPage County.  She's at least 10 years old and due to her experiences, is uncertain of other cats.  She loves humans though and is one of the softest cats you will find!


Zeke and Zeva
Zeke & Zeva - these two need a home with lots of room - Zeke is a big fella.  They were adopted as kittens and returned a bit over two years later because, basically, they were not fun kittens any more.  As often happens with large, sweet cats, they are shy but not a mean bone in their bodies.  Very well behaved, you could make a huge difference in their lives by giving them a forever home.

These are just three of the many cats that we have that might not do well in a cage, in a shelter or store, but are highly adoptable and someone could enjoy them for the rest of their lives - they would be so grateful.

You can find pictures and descriptions of all of our Adoptable cats as well as information on how you can learn more about them by clicking on the Adoptable cats link at the top of our website.

Thank you!

(If you click on the photo thumbnails of Smoochie, Thumbelina or Zeke & Zeva,
you will see a full-size picture of them)

Want to help?

Interested in helping Feral Fixers? We are looking for a 'few good volunteers'! Specifically, we're looking for someone to help us transport cats to and from PAWS (the Spay/Neuter clinic we use) in Chicago.

We need transport both in the morning and the afternoon. If you're interested in helping, call us at (630) 881-FXRS (3977) or email us at info@feralfixers.org.
Helping Outdoor cats through the Winter

A recent article on the PetMD website gives a very good overview of things you can do to help outdoor cats make it safely through the winter.  The article discusses why outdoor cats are a benefit to the neighborhood and talks about shelter options and food and water that should be provided for them.

It's a fine article that covers all the basics - well worth the read!
Feral Cat Shelter Options

Winter is here (this mild weather probably won't last) and our Feral friends are going to need shelter from the cold and the snow.  Our good friends at Alley Cat Allies have put together a very comprehensive list of Shelter options, including both ready-made and do-it-yourself options.

Alley Cat Allies also has done a short 'review' of each item, giving the pros and cons of each, so that you can make a more informed decision for your unique location.

This really is an excellent list and you are sure to find options which will help you to help our furry friends.
Feral Fixers Logo Don't forget to follow us on Facebook!

Feral Fixers has a very active Facebook page.  You can go there and get the very latest information about what we are doing - many times even before it shows up on the blog!

Don't forget to "Like" us and the good karma will surely flow your way...

To find our Facebook page, click on the Facebook logo.
Tyler
Fosters are needed now!

We currently have lots of adult cats which have decided that the life inside is for them!  Many of these adults are very calm and so very grateful for the opportunity to come inside - please help us, help them!  And, although they can be messy, who can resist a litter of kittens!

We do our best to work with fosters but they need to:  
  • Be in easy driving distance of Lombard - emergencies happen and being 45 minutes away, one way, is just not a good idea.
  • Have only one or few animals of their own - asking someone to take on 4 additional cats when they already have 4+ animals on hand could be a problem.
  • Spend a reasonable amount of time at home - someone who travels or has long work days cannot sufficiently support the behavior modification that is sometimes necessary with young kittens.
Be clear about expectations of us and ask plenty of questions!

In return, fosters receive so much love and affection from these cats and the knowledge that they are part of the pipeline of Rescue - getting them ready for their forever homes!

Please, Help Us Help Them!
Celebrate 5500 T-Shirts now on Sale!

The highly-collectible T-Shirts which were given out to attendees of the Celebrate 5500! event are now for sale for only $10 each (including shipping to anywhere in the US)!

Limited quantities are still available and can be ordered from the Feral Fixers website.  Don't delay - they're going fast!

Click on the T-Shirt to buy!
Shop on ebay - Help Feral Fixers!

Did you know that some of your purchases on ebay can directly help Feral Fixers?  When a seller posts an item, they can designate a charity to donate a portion of the proceeds to.  Several people have done so for Feral Fixers.  When you purchase one or more of these items, a portion of the sale is donated directly to Feral Fixers!

You don't have to register anything, submit any coupons, fill out any forms, etc.  All you have to do is to purchase an item whose seller has designated Feral Fixers as their Charity of Choice.

If you follow this link, you can see all the items on ebay that have Feral Fixers as a designated charity.

Our thanks to those sellers who have so-designated Feral Fixers - your contributions are greatly appreciated!  And, if you are a seller and would like to start designating Feral Fixers as a Charity, instructions on how to do so are shown on the same page.

Thank you!
How many cats? - 8,435!!


Year
# of cats fixed
2007
86
2008
529
2009
869
2010
1,003
2011
1,025
2012
1,232
2013
1,243
2014
1,291
2015
1,157
Total
8,435

Clicking on the Computer monitor will send you to the Feral Fixers 'Statistics' page where you can see our progress, month-by-month, since we've started work.
Shop on Amazon - Help Feral Fixers!

Feral Fixers is now a designated charity on Amazon.com, the website which offers a gazillion items for sale.  A great many of these items have been designated eligible for "amazonsmile", a program that automatically donates 1/2% of the purchase price of the item to the charity of your choice.

Instead of signing on to http://amazon.com, sign on to http://smile.amazon.com instead.  You'll then be able to designate a "Favorite charity".  Enter "Feral Fixers" where asked to and then Feral Fixers will be eligible for these donations.

In order for you to then purchase amazonsmile items, you will always need to sign in to http://smile.amazon.com.  This is the same Amazon.com website you've always enjoyed - all of the products are still listed, but note that not every item on Amazon is "amazonsmile" eligible.  Items that are eligible are clearly designated as such in the description.

So, register Feral Fixers as your favorite charity and help us help the cats!

Thank you!
PayPal Donation Donate to Feral Fixers - And PayPal adds 1%! 

Feral Fixers offers its TNR services to all colony caretakers, without charge.  While we ask for donations from colony caretakers, we recognize that for some of them, any additional cost is just too much.  Therefore we rely on donations from other individuals to make up the difference and allow us to continue our work.  These donations allow us to spay/neuter additional cats, keep a 'bank' of traps and trap dividers we loan out for free, hold workshops and provide other educational benefits.

You can help us continue our work by clicking on the Donate button, above.  This will take you to the PayPal website where you can donate to Feral Fixers via PayPal or credit card.  Feral Fixers is a registered 501c3 charitable organization and all donations are deductible to the fullest amount allowed by law.

And, for the holiday season only, the good folks at PayPal will add an extra 1% to any donation you make which is $10 or greater!  So - donate to Feral Fixers, have PayPal automatically increase your donation and enjoy the holidays - It's a Win-Win-Win!

We greatly appreciate any amount you can afford to give - Thank You!
Event Calendar  
 
January 17, 2016 - Frosty Claws! - This is the EIGHTH EDITION of our annual Frosty Claws Fundraiser! It will be held at the VFW #2801 located at 39 E St. Charles Road in Villa Park. We'll have hot drinks, pastries, a boutique, a Silent Auction and, of course, a very cat-friendly crowd! This event is a crowd-favorite and is always well-attended. Tickets are $15/person at the door but to learn how you can get the 'Early Bird' price, visit our Web Flyer for the details. Come and help us celebrate our eighth anniversary - see you there!

April 1st, 2016 - This is the deadline for sending in photo entries for the 2016-2017 Holiday Card Contest. As many of you know, each year Feral Fixers sends out a Holiday Greeting card to everyone on our mailing list. Beginning with the 2012 card, the picture on the card was chosen from entries made by you, our friends and supporters. While there is no monetary prize awarded for the winning entry, the winning photographer will be credited on the Holiday card. The picture should definitely say "winter" and "outdoor cat". A shelter would be nice, but is certainly not required. We can accept pictures in nearly any format as long as the resolution is acceptable. Please send your submissions to photocontest@feralfixers.org. Good luck!
Sometimes the worst accidents have a silver lining...

Sainsbury is the second largest super-market chain in the United Kingdom.  They have released a video detailing the Christmas eve adventures of Mog, the cat.


If only all commercials were this creative...
Shop on CafePress - Help Feral Fixers!

Want to purchase something purr-fect for your cat-lover friends and help out Feral Fixers at the same time?  Just visit our CafePress store and Buy Something! In addition to the Hoodie shown to the right, we have T-shirts, sweatshirts, aprons, mouse pads, gym bags, messenger bags, coffee mugs, tote-bags, pet food bowls, Pajamas and much, much more! A portion of each sale goes to help us in our TNR efforts.

To visit the store, just click on the Hoodie or visit our website and click on the ' CafePress' button at the top - Thank you!
Visit us on the Web 

Visit our website at www.feralfixers.org.  There you can donate to us (via PayPal or credit card), visit our store, read the latest news, and learn more about feral cats.

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, you can also sign up to be on our mailing list so you don't miss a thing!
What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?

TNR CatTNR is a full management plan in which stray and feral cats already living outdoors in cities, towns, and rural areas are humanely trapped, evaluated, vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians.

When space is available, adoptable cats and kittens are transferred to sheltering organizations to be adopted into good homes. Healthy adult cats unsocialized to humans are returned to their familiar habitat under the lifelong care of their original caretakers.
Feral Fixers, NFP, is a certified 501c3 corporation - EIN Number 13-4364615