Pet of the Week

Sponsored by Fort Financial Credit Union

Venus is a gorgeous white tabby with long hair. This mama kitty came to the Whitley County Humane Shelter with her three beautiful babies, Peyton, Fluffy, and Pat. Venus has been spayed and is ready to leave motherhood behind and find a good home where she will be cherished for the sweet and beautiful girl that she is. Please come in and meet this pretty kitty today!

The Whitley County Humane Shelter is located at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City. Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

For more information, call the shelter at 260-244-6664; e-mail dirhswc@yahoo.com, or visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

Pet of the Week

Sponsored by Fort Financial Credit Union

Anabel is a sweet spayed female dilute torbie (grey tabby with pale orange undertones) who was born in the fall of 2008. She is a mellow – but playful! – cat who will make a good pet and loving companion. Please come in and meet this nice kitty today … and think about taking her home with you!

Or stop by and visit Anabel at the Whitley County Humane Shelter. The shelter is located at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City. Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

For more information, call the shelter at 260-244-6664; e-mail dirhswc@yahoo.com, or visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

by Viv Sade

AVILLA, Ind. (July 8, 2010) — Reports of wild cat sightings in Northeast Indiana are nothing new. But the most recent sighting by Bob Burlingame, 67, also has a photo that accompanies the man’s claim of a cougar in his back yard. The big cat was reportedly eating a deer carcass when Burlingame and his wife grabbed a camera and took a photo Tuesday evening.

For more of this story, go to the Indiana News Center.

When I was working at a small weekly paper in Huntertown about eight years ago, a local farmer came in to tell me that he had spotted a large “wild” cat in the woods near his farm. I listened and took notes, but there was really nothing to back up his claims – and the notes remained in my notebook.

And then, five years ago, when I was working as a reporter at the Auburn Evening Star, a gentleman from the Garrett area told me that large cats had been sighted several times by him and by his neighbors in DeKalb County. He said he had contacted the Department of Natural Resources, but no one had returned his calls.

I believed him. There was really no reason for him to fabricate the story.

Even though at this point, the Department of Natural Resources has not confirmed any of the sightings, I think there will be more to come in the future.

For more on sightings of wild cats in Indiana go to the Indiana Sportsman Web site.

COLUMBIA CITY, Indiana (June 7, 2010) – Kitten season may be here, but there are many older cats available at the Whitley County Humane Society who are patiently waiting for homes and a second chance at life. To try and find homes for these “seniors”, the Humane Society has launched a “Save Our Seniors Summer Sale”, where any cat 5 years or older and cats that have been at the shelter for 9 months or more can be adopted for only $30, not including spay/neuter deposit where applicable, from now until Labor Day. The normal adoption fee is $65. Additionally, senior citizens (60+) can adopt a “senior” cat for only $20.

According to the Whitley County Humane Society, here are the Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Cat:

10. Older cats are the least likely to be adopted, even though a kitten is a kitten for only a short period of time.

9. Older cats make great lap-warmers.

8. Older cats are ever-so-grateful for a second chance at a loving home, and they’ll repay your love ten-fold.

7. Almost all of our older cats are already spayed or neutered. No fuss, no muss, no bother (and no spay and neuter bills!)

6. Older cats sleep more, break fewer lamps and don’t try to bite your toes through the blankets in the middle of the night.

5. Cats regularly live into their late teens these days. These guys and gals still have a lot of years left in them – and even more love.

4. What you see is what you get – no surprises when it comes to size or personality.

3. Older cats generally adapt to their surroundings more easily – been there, done that, awfully glad to be able to do it again.

2. Love knows no age – yours or the cat.

1. The Save Our Seniors Summer Sale will not only save you money, it’ll save a life.

For more information or to meet the available cats, visit the Whitley County Humane Shelter at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City. Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

For more information, call the shelter at 260-244-6664; e-mail dirhswc@yahoo.com, or visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

Pet of the Week

Sponsored by Fort Financial Credit Union

Rossi is a beautiful and exceptionally friendly spayed and declawed calico cat who is good with both kids and other cats. Unfortunately, her owner got a Great Dane who liked to chase her, and Rossi (understandably) didn’t appreciate it. So Rossi is now looking for a good home.

She is a really nice cat, who loves to give cat kisses and be a lap cat. Please come in and meet this pretty girl and consider letting her join your family.

We don’t know for sure, but she probably would be fine with a dog, so long as the dog is well-trained and doesn’t try to chase her. Rossi was born in 2006.

Visit the Whitley County Humane Shelter and meet Rossi and see what a sweet cat she is. The shelter is located at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City. Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

For more information, call the shelter at 260-244-6664; e-mail dirhswc@yahoo.com, or visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

Spring at the Humane Society of Whitey County means the beginning of “kitten season” – an influx of unwanted pregnant cats and litters of kittens. The number of cats and kittens brought in during the summer months is more than double what the staff sees during the winter.

In order to try to make as much room as possible for the future residents, the shelter is holding a “Fixed” Cat Sale! Recently, many of the cats available at the shelter have been spayed or neutered. Normally the adopter leaves a $15 deposit with the shelter which is taken off the price of their cat’s surgery when performed, with the remaining surgical fee being paid by the new owner. So for the cats who have been fixed, not only will the adopter save $15 at the time of adoption but will also save the rest of the spay/neuter fee, and the inconvenience and cost of having the surgery done themselves.

The more cats the shelter can adopt now, the more room they will have for incoming felines. Currently, the shelter has 22 cats of all colors and ages available who are spayed/neutered (and several of these are also declawed). All of them are very nice cats. All standard adoption rules apply so adoptive cat parents must fill out an application and be approved, but this is a great time to adopt a homeless cat.

Another advantage to adopting a shelter cat is all the preventative care that has already been given by the shelter. The cats have at least two sets of vaccinations (they will still need a rabies shot), are tested for Feline Leukemia/FIV, and are checked and treated for fleas and ear mites. Adoptive parents also get a bag of food and a coupon for a free vet exam. For the slight cost of a $65 adoption fee, medical care will be provided that on average normally costs over $250 … what a bargain!

This is a much more economical way to go than that “free kitten next door” offer with with no health care in place. So be a lifesaver this spring and come adopt a cat at the shelter – and in return, receive a lifetime of unconditional love and loyalty.

Please come in and window shop for your feline at the Whitley County Humane Shelter at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City. Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

If you have any questions, call the shelter at 260-244-6664; e-mail dirhswc@yahoo.com, or visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.”

Pet of the Week

Brought to You by Fort Financial Credit Union

Jabez is a beautiful, neutered black and white tuxedo cat. In addition to elegant good looks, he is wonderfully even-tempered, affectionate and relaxed. While Jabez is a big boy, don’t be intimidated by his size. We think he’s a bit of a “gentle giant.” He’s going to be a great pet for some lucky family … maybe it will be YOUR family!

If you are interested in adding this loving cat to your family, please stop by the shelter to meet Jabez at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

Or, call the shelter if you would like to arrange a time to meet Jabez at 260-244-6664. For more information, visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

Pet of the Week

Brought to you by Fort Financial Credit Union

Josie is a very loving female brown mackerel tabby with extremely soft fur and exceptionally beautiful green eyes, who was probably born in 2008 or early 2009. This girl is very sweet and will be a wonderful cat if you’re looking for affection. She will be a great lap cat. Please come in and meet her today and consider adopting her and possibly one of our other beautiful brown mackerel tabbies. Some of us think that they’re the best kind of cat there is.

Come in to the shelter and prepare to fall in love. If you are interested in adding a cat to your family, please stop by the Whitley County Humane Shelter to meet Josie. The shelter is located at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City.

Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

Call the shelter if you would like to arrange a time to meet her at 260-244-6664, or e-mail http://dirhswc@yahoo.com.

You may also visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

Pet of the Week

Sponsored by Fort Financial Credit Union

Lover Boy is an exceptionally beautiful young male medium-longhaired older kitten that makes officials at the Whitley County Humane Shelter think he might have some Maine Coon in him.

“His tail looks like a very long, plumey raccoon tail,” said one humane shelter volunteer. Lover Boy is as sweet as he is beautiful. He likes to be held and cuddled, and he is very relaxed. This is a cat who has been well-socialized. WCHS officials aren’t sure of his age – but estimate he was probably was born this past spring.

“Pictures really don’t do this cat justice,” said one volunteer, “Please come in and meet Lover Boy today – we don’t think he’ll be here long.”

Please come see this very special Lover Boy today at the Whitley County Humane Shelter, 951 S. Line St., Columbia City.

Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5. Those interested also may call 260-244-6664 or go to the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

Pet of the Week

Brought to you by Fort Financial Credit Union

Magpie is a beautiful long-haired male, black and white Holstein cat who was found surviving on the streets by one of our wonderful volunteers who was on her way to a job interview! She chose to bring him to the shelter and then go for the interview later and we are so glad she did.

This affectionate boy will be a wonderful pet – he is both loving and playful and also a great lap cat. As near as we can tell, Magpie was born sometime in spring 2009.

Please come in to the Whitley County Humane Shelter at Whitley County Humane Shelter, 951 S. Line St., Columbia City, and meet this sweet cat and consider giving him a good home.

Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5. Those interested also may call 260-244-6664 or go to the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.