When someone mentions kittens, you might immediately think of cute, cuddly fur balls playing together one minute and curled up, sleeping sweetly the next. If only they all had this life, with a home, warmth, food, and love.  Your gift this holiday season gives cats like Catbot a second chance.

Would She Be Alive Tomorrow?

Catbot was spotted wandering near a house that, fortunately, was home to Good Samaritans. They saw Catbot’s ragged appearance and unsteady gait. They knew she needed immediate help and brought her to Tree House.

Alone, frightened, sick, and going downhill quickly. Catbot was hungry and horribly malnourished. One of her eyes was badly infected and swollen shut. She was very thin and had lost fur. She had raw, bleeding sores on her neck. She was scared, tired, and in critical condition. This kitten needed immediate care.

Our veterinarian examined her and found that she was malnourished and had a severe eye infection. But the bigger problem was what appeared to be a bulging growth on her neck with two small holes.

We discovered this tiny kitten had two long, parasitic insects moving inside her neck. These wormlike insects are very painful and can be deadly if not treated. Our veterinarian was able to gently extract the insects and clean Catbot’s wounds.

We gave her antibiotics and medication for her eye infection. With food, water, and care, this sick little cat was on the road to recovery and was placed in a caring foster home to regain her strength.

Catbot Recovers – Thanks to Supporters Like You

After just 5½ weeks in foster care, this resilient kitten was happy, healthy, and energetic — just like we all picture kittens to be. Catbot became a resident in the kitten colony on our adoption floor. Four days later, a loving family adopted her.

Catbot has recovered incredibly well. It is hard to believe she is the same kitten who first arrived — so sick. Her eye and the wounds on her neck are healed, and her fur has grown back.

Catbot is a joyous kitten who loves toys and exploring new places. Her favorite thing is a chin rub, and she’ll start purring as soon as you touch her!

Thankfully, Catbot finally has a home. But there are thousands of cats who are in desperate situations like she was. Your donation helps transform their lives, too!

Saving Strays is What We Do. But We Couldn’t Do It Without You!

Tree House is working toward a world in which every cat thrives. We are especially dedicated to saving stray cats who are in difficult and life-threatening situations. Together we give these cats a second chance to not only survive but thrive.

Since opening our new shelter last year, your generosity has helped us place more than 1,000 cats in homes, provide more than 1,200 spay/neuter surgeries, and increase our team of colony caretakers to 1,000, supporting more than 4,000 cats in the community.

All of these cats have a better life because of you! Many are alive solely because Tree House, with your help, was able to provide expert care.

Your donation is the gift they need. Help give hope to thousands of homeless cats like Catbot this holiday season.

This year’s Black Cat Ball was a big success! We celebrated with fellow cat lovers and raised money to support our work to help even more cats across Chicago who deserve a second chance.

Check out photos of the evening below.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and to our emcee, Natalie Bomke from Fox 32 Chicago, auction donors, Ball volunteers, and to all of Tree House’s passionate animal lovers who help make our vision of every cat thrives possible.

Thank you to our sponsors: Merrick Pet Care, Cat Hospital of Chicago, Halby Marketing, Inc., Bridgeview Bank, and Pets First Veterinary Clinic.

Harry has added so much joy and love to my life. He is the sweetest, gentlest, most loving cat I have ever met.

— Annette

All of us at Tree House are tremendously grateful to generous donors like you who make our work possible and for the wonderful cats we have the honor of helping.

Cats are part of our family. They make us laugh. They get us up early in the morning and sometimes in the middle of the night. They listen to our problems, sleep on our favorite sweaters, and add joy to our lives.

This year, we wanted to share two wonderful Happy Endings.

Adopters like Josh & Dana and Annette give Tree House cats a second chance at family.

Love at First Sight – Harry’s Story

Harry the hunter. Here he is in his new home getting ready to pounce on his favorite prey…the bookmark!

Harry came to Tree House as a stray. He is a senior, FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) positive cat who was pretty shy at first. Slowly, he started to come out of his shell. Meanwhile, his future adopter, Annette, was learning about him on our website. “I was in love with him before I even met him.” When Annette finally met Harry in person, she adopted him that day!

Harry is an incredibly sweet cat who yearns for the love of a human. He has settled into his new home very well and enjoys cuddling with Annette when it is reading time and eagerly seeks pets from everyone who visits.

Best Friends in the Making – Sigmund – aka Siggi’s Story

Siggi has been such a joy to have around the house. He and his new brother, Otto, love to wrestle and chase each other all over. It’s adorable.

— Josh and Dana

Sigmund is an FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) positive cat. Although he has a weakened immune system, with proper care and diet, he can lead a rich life.

Josh and Dana felt that their FeLV+ cat, Otto, needed another playmate after his sister passed away. They read about Siggi on our website and thought he would be a perfect fit. When they came to Tree House to meet this beautiful black cat in person, they “immediately fell in love with his charm!”

Siggi loves his new cat brother as well as hanging out on the window sill and watching the world go by. He is happy, healthy, and loved.

A Gift that Gives Back: honor or remember a special person or pet with a Tribute Gift

Each year, Tree House remembers and honors special people and pets who are important in our supporters’ lives through the Lights of Love lighting ceremony at our Holiday Open House. For each gift that a donor makes, a white light will be lit for those being remembered and a multi-color light for those being honored. Thousands of lights will illuminate the shelter throughout the month of December — “shining bright” for the people and pets who have added great joy and love to our lives.

Please consider giving a tribute gift to remember or honor a special person or pet in your life and send a personalized e-card to that special someone.

Each tribute gift is $15 which provides a week of meals for one stray cat or kitten.

Join Us at Our Holiday Open House

This year, our Open House will be held on Saturday, December 8th. Get your tickets today.