While the Region is home to incredible nonprofits and shelters that provide animals care and a home, not many cater specifically to cats and kittens. Independent Cat Society (ICS), a nonprofit located in Westville, has filled that gap for homeless cats in need for over 40 years, and since 2011, McAfee Animal Hospital’s very own Dr. Brooke McAfee has provided much-needed supplemental support in order for the nonprofit to continue its important work.
ICS, a no-kill shelter, is a sanctuary for homeless cats that are waiting to be adopted into their forever homes, along with providing Trap Neuter Release (TNR) to local feral cats and finding foster homes for cats as they make the transition from the shelter to a home. They provide necessary services and care to every cat who comes through ICS’s doors including spay and neutering, vaccinations, examinations, micro-chipping, and any medical treatment the cat may need.
“We do so much for our cats,” said Paulette Gonzalez, Vice President of ICS. “Spay and neutering is our number one service, other than finding good homes for our cats, but we do everything we can to help as many cats as we can.”
However, due to the number of cats they take in, ICS relies on local vets to provide vet examinations, administer vaccinations, surgeries, hospitalization, and other care. The nonprofit works with veterinary clinics around the Region, including Dr. McAfee and the staff at McAfee Animal Hospital in Valparaiso.
“ICS is well known for its passion and the care they provide for cats in need,” said Dr. McAfee. “They are dedicated to improving the lives of unwanted or homeless cats and kittens. There are very few places to take a cat in need of a home in this area, so ICS has provided the best care to these cats and places them in their ‘furever’ homes.”
“With the level of care and quality of life ICS provides, it allows us to make decisions in the best interest of the cats,” she continued.
Dr. McAfee’s continued support of ICS has ensured that the nonprofit continues to be successful in its mission to provide a sanctuary to felines. She administers vaccines, provides routine wellness checkups, physicals, bloodwork, and more.
“Dr. McAfee has been a godsend for us,” said Gonzalez. “She’s been so helpful this year and has actually been one of the only vets in the area who has been willing to accommodate us this year. So many vets are backed up right now, but she tells us to reach out to her if we need anything.”
“There are times when she will come in to do health checks and we will have about two hours to do health checks on about 200 cats,” said Gonzalez. “We have to plan it out down to the second to make sure we can get everything done and every cat taken care of.”
ICS’s focus on the safety of cats and responsible cat ownership sets the shelter apart from others. For Gonzalez, one of the most important things they can do for the community in the long run is provide education about cats’ needs and what it takes to own a cat.
“We educate the public,” she said. “For example, cats can get pregnant all year round. It’s not just something that happens during certain times of the year. We also want people to know that this is a lifetime commitment. Owning a cat, just like any animal, is not something you can just decide not to do anymore. Cats will live 15 plus years, so we want people to be prepared for that when they make the decision to adopt or rescue a cat.”
“That’s also why we make sure everything is done before a cat is fostered or adopted,” said Gonzalez. “A lot of shelters will give you vouchers for the cat to be spayed or neutered or to get their vaccinations, but you never know if that will actually happen. So we spay or neuter every cat, make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations, and are ready to be taken home before they ever leave the shelter.”
Dr. McAfee has admired ICS’ commitment to feline health and safety not just to the cats it is able to bring into the shelter, but also the cats still out in the community.
“ICS only adopts out spayed or neutered cats to decrease over-population,” said Dr. McAfee. “They also microchip all of their cats and make sure they are all up to date on vaccines prior to adoption.”
Additionally, the collaboration between McAfee Animal Hospital and ICS over the past 10 years has allowed for McAfee and its team to expand its services beyond Valparaiso.
“It gives me the opportunity to provide the best possible care for cats in need,” said Dr. McAfee. “We are honored to work with them and improve the quality of the cats’ lives. As a third-generation family-owned veterinary clinic, we strive to improve the lives of both pets and their families, and give back to our community in any way possible.”