How Did I Miss This “Day”?

Kittens Are Coming! Please Foster!

We currently have 4 Moms & Babies families on hand. Three gave birth at the building and one was brought in soon after giving birth, for a total of 21 newborns. Another family will be coming in soon. In general, these are feral moms and need to be in large crates, housed in a peaceful environment, to care for their kittens until the kittens are of age to be weaned at 5 – 6 weeks. Then the moms are spayed and returned to the outside home they have known. Occasionally the females will realize that living inside could be what they are looking for, then they are fostered themselves and find inside homes. We need fosters that can house these cat families for a month or so until they can move on to the next step. That means limited interaction with the mom, monitoring the kittens, keeping our foster coordinators informed of progress as the kittens age, etc. This can be challenging as so many cat lovers feel that they can change the feral mom’s outlook but we have to let the cats decide for themselves what their future should be. Or we will have a semi-feral cat on our hands to try to find a home for and that is not good for the cat or for Feral Fixers 😊. We are doing our best to prevent kittens – that is what TNR is all about – but kittens still happen. The moms take care of feeding, cleaning, all the fosters need to do is feed them mom, scoop the litter box and monitor everyone’s health. While our building is a great place for most cats, there is still a lot of activity and noise at times which does not agree with feral mom cats. This volunteer contribution can have a huge impact on these cat families – mom gets peace, quiet and care, the kittens have a bright future of a happy indoor home when they are old enough. Fostering is split between adult cats, kittens, and moms & babies. Each require different talents and skills. Please consider helping Feral Fixers’ adoptables by fostering any cat-egory!

Boo Boo gifted us with SEVEN kittens when she arrived in TNR.  6 black and one gray, it is not easy to sex them when they are just born so we don't know yet their sexes.  Boo Boo gives slow blinks as she growls - not confusing to the humans at all!		When we come into TNR in the morning we can be presented with 'Blessed Events' that happened overnight - 4/1/25.  This is Sunny and her babies who are all now in foster.

Suki and her kittens (click on the picture to see a short video)

Feral Fixers TNR Workshop

Learn more about TNR! We’re hosting a TNR Workshop at our building – 330 Eisenhower Ln N, Lombard, IL – 4-30-25 Wednesday 6:30PM. Come with your questions, do some networking, learn the pros and cons of different traps and how to get “your” ferals neutered! We are doing a mid-week, evening event to enable more people to attend!

Fundraiser At Panera!

Join us at Panera Bread, 1400 Butterfield Rd, Downers Grove, IL on Friday, May 30^th, from 4 – 8 PM. Your purchase will result in a 25% donation from Panera to Feral Fixers! Plenty of time to get this on your calendars – print a flyer or download to bring to event. Hope to see you there!!!

Chicago Plans New Rat Attack

The City of Chicago plans a new method of rat control – using cottonseed oil baits that act as birth control, it will be deployed in bait boxes in several pilot program areas. Studies have shown no ill effects on pets and children.

Evolve rodent birth control, like Evolve Mouse Soft Bait, affects cats indirectly by influencing the rodent population. The product's effects on rodent fertility, and thus the rodent population, become noticeable after 1-2 breeding cycles (approximately 4-6 weeks). It's unlikely to directly harm cats, as the product is designed to be safe for non-target species. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

How it works:

• Evolve Mouse Soft Bait contains an active ingredient that disrupts the reproductive cycle of rodents, making them less likely to produce offspring. 

Indirect impact on cats:

• If used effectively, Evolve can reduce the rodent population, potentially meaning cats will encounter fewer rodents. 

Safety for cats:

• The active ingredient in Evolve is designed to be safe for cats and other pets.

Time to see effects:

• The changes in the rodent population, and thus potentially the impact on cats, will take some time to become noticeable, typically after 1-2 breeding cycles (4-6 weeks).

Long-term solution:

• DIY Pest Control states that Evolve is a long-term solution, meaning it can help prevent future rodent infestations, SenesTech says.”

Determined To Make an Impact!

We have neutered 165 cats in 2025! This is more than what we had done at this time last year and we hope the trend continues! Many thanks to the caretakers and trappers who are going to make a difference this year!

• 4/3 – DCAS – 22 ferals, 7 female, 15 males, one already neutered. We had two ‘blessed events’ from females who gave birth after arrival in our TNR room, they moved to our Caturnity room to be cared for.
• 4/8/25 – DCAS – 4 feral males. We had intended to take this week off, the cats were not cooperative!
• 4/17/25 – DCAS – 24 ferals, 12 female, 12 males. We had an additional male that did not get neutered as he had an upper respiratory infection and will be neutered next week as the antibiotics make him a better candidate for sedation. Also in this bunch were two females with pyometra – they might not have survived if not for their spay surgery.
• 4/18/25 – DCAS – 1 male feral. Caretakers had been trying to trap KitKat due to his severe face wound. Too late for 4/17 trip, DCAS was willing to examine and neuter him on the 18^th. While it is a huge injury, it had already started to heal a bit on its own and we will hold onto him until he can be re-released safely.

Total: April to-date 50, year-to-date 165 and since 2007 15,899.

From 4/3 trip - never know what will be going on in TNR room!		04/17/25 trip - 25 cats from 17 different locations!

As Many As Possible As Soon As Possible

Adoption Event – 4/26/25

Saturday, April 26^th, 11AM to 3PM at 330 Eisenhower Ln N, Lombard, IL. Older kittens and adults for the most part as kittens from outside are still too young for neutering. Life is challenging right now and that definitely affects pet owners, resulting in returns. Often this means that we know so much more about these cats and their behaviors and needs, resulting in finding the best new home for them. Please think about how you can make a lasting difference in the lives of these cats. Adoption application can be filled out in advance to be pre-approved. Check out our cats on our Adoptables page.

This is Kallie.  Caretaker found homes for siblings, she will soon move on to Cats in Transition and then on to foster. Spay is still several weeks away, so not currently adoptable.  She is a wonderful kitten!

Away We Go!

• 3/21 – DCAS – 1 feral female.
• 3/27 – DCAS – 15 ferals, 6 female, 9 males. Some of the spiciest ferals we’ve seen in quite a while – thank goodness for trap dividers!

Total: March to-date 80, year to-date 115, since 2007 15,849.

March 27th Trip		This is Yastremski from 3/27. Couldn't resist a picture of this face! He allowed touching but was not enthusiastic about it, so will go back home to the outside. Never know what he will decide for his future past that!

One cat or 30, all are worth the trip for s/n! This is the 100th cat for 2025!		William post neuter

This is William. Debbie had been feeding for several weeks, and he became more and more vocal!

As Many As Possible As Soon As Possible

Pavlov Knew What He Was Doing

Laura is seeing great results when colony caretakers actually ring a bell or shake a bag of food to call ferals to breakfast or dinner. Caretakers worry when they don’t see one of their ferals at a meal and this extra encouragement to come eat can relieve those fears of what may have happened to their furry friend. Gives the cats a job to do and they really do like to have responsibilities! Give it a try, see if you have better attendance at the feeding station as a result!

Some happy ferals coming to dinner...

Fiona is a generous young cat lady and asked her friends and family for gifts for Feral Fixers for her 6th birthday!  She and her family have adopted from Feral Fixers, Busby and Buster are doing great!

Have A Feral Fixers Trap?

People get busy, having a trap on hand gives a feeling of security for when that next cat shows up, but we need traps to be in use! Please return any traps you are not actively using for TNR as soon as you can!

Many thanks to Rescue Pack for food from 3/15 distribution!

Major thank you to Todd Gronke U-Haul for loan of van for transporting the food to Feral Fixers!

Adoption Event – 4/12/25

Saturday, April 12^th, 11AM to 3PM at 330 Eisenhower Ln N, Lombard. Older kittens and adults for the most part. We have had a number of returns – for many causes – life changes, allergies, the economy – none the fault of the adopters, and definitely not the fault of the cats! This is another step in life’s journey for these cats and give us even more knowledge of the cats we have for adoption. An adoption application can be filled out in advance to be pre-approved. Check out our cats on our Adoptables page.

Remember Our Need for Storage Plea?

Back in June, we asked for storage space as the rent on our storage unit was going up to $379/month for our 10’ x 10’ space. We whittled away at the items in storage, brought traps into the building at season end and we were out of the storage unit by the end of the year. The Village of Lombard approved our application to put in a shed! Almost completed – still need a concrete ramp leading up to the door from the parking lot to make loading and unloading easier. Reducing our monthly costs by $379+ - because it would only go up in price every year – this was definitely worth the effort and expense for a permanent solution! The concrete pad was donated – thank you to anonymous donor!!! Check out the pictures!

Finished construction! There will be a small concrete ramp up to the door to make it easier to bring items in.

Shed Construction

Shed Construction

Shed pre and post pour of concrete pad

Check Your Feral Photos

Never know what the weather will be in Chicago, right? 70 degrees one day, blizzard the next! We and our public really enjoy the Holiday card we send out every year. Photos need to be clear, show cat(s) have eartips and some snow on the ground. We would love to continue this tradition as our donors love the picture and the stories that goes with them. There might be snow in the next few days, once again, but check your photos in case there are pics you forgot to send. Complete rules and all the previous winners are shown here. Thank you!

We’re Almost in Full Swing

• 3/7 – DCAS – 5 ferals, 4 female, 1 male.
• 3/12 – DCAS – 1 friendly, 14 ferals, 9 female, 6 male.
• 3/13 – DCAS – 13 ferals, 8 female, 5 male – one male previously neutered with small eartip, now re-done. One older kitten was trapped with netting around her neck, removed, now fine.
• 3/20 – DCAS – 1 friendly, 17 ferals, 8 female, 10 male – one male already neutered with small eartip, now re-done.

Total: March to-date 64, year to-date 99, since 2007 15,833.

Mia came in with a section of netting around her neck. Squeezing her against side of trap, we were able to snip it off. Yay! Fish net? Sport net? Who knows?

As Many As Possible As Soon As Possible

DCAS Law Enforcement Workshop

Laura, head of our Working Cats Program and prolific trapper, presented information about TNR and Feral Fixers at the DCAS Law Enforcement Workshop on 3/19. This was a huge opportunity for Feral Fixers and for the officers to learn more about feral cats and what Feral Fixers does. Our thanks to the attendees and to DCAS for inviting us to share knowledge about feral cats!

Feral Fixers' own Laura, giving a TNR presentation at the DuPage County Animal Services Law Enforcement Workshop 03 19 25.

Adoption Event – 3/23/25

Sunday, March 23^th, 1PM to 4PM at 330 Eisenhower Ln N, Lombard, IL. We have many adult cats – adoptable kittens have not arrived yet. Feral Fixers is unique in our knowledge of the cats we have for adoption – usually knowing where they came from and their colony mates – behavior can be genetic! We have trapped cats that are already friendly and just take a short time to learn about the indoors. Fill out an adoption application in advance to be pre-approved. Check out our cats on our Adoptables page.

Feral Fixers TNR Workshop

Come ask and learn about TNR! We’re hosting a TNR Workshop at our building – 330 Eisenhower Ln N, Lombard, IL – from noon to 2pm, Sunday 3-30-25. Come with your questions, do some networking, learn the pros and cons of different traps and how to get “your” ferals neutered!

2025 – Already Here!

2023 – What A Year

The challenges have been immense. 

Kitten numbers have increased dramatically –societal changes may be the biggest impact: lack of vet access, money, movement of our population – combining households, isolation and hoarding, etc. People are actually paying more attention to the cats outside and are discovering the pregnant cat, the litter of kittens much more readily than in the past which results in overall increased volume that we are contacted about. Every shelter is full. Everyone is doing their best to save every cat they can. Adults and kittens are becoming friendly at an increased pace. Years ago, a feral was a feral was a feral. Not anymore. Kittens sometimes are friendly from the time they are trapped, adults will have a complete turnaround to being friendly. National organizations are seeing this and the only advice they can offer is that even if a cat is friendly, put it back outside – there just aren’t enough homes.

Volunteers. The data can be looked at in many different ways, but finding information that DuPage County ranked 2^nd in 102 Illinois Counties of charities per square mile illustrates why it is so difficult finding and maintaining volunteers. No one seems to have as much time as we used to. There are so many choices of where to spend that valuable volunteer time. Our lives can change in an instant and our personal responsibilities must take priority. Feral Fixers has wonderful volunteers, and we treasure them every day. We need more, the volunteer staff is not a constant and can change quickly. From trapping to transport, fostering and shifts of cat care at the building, cleaning – oh my, the cleaning! We do need volunteers who can snuggle kittens just as much as we need those who can sweep floors and do laundry. Social people who can interact with adopters on adoption days, help with events, host events! Everyone has their own strengths and abilities, please share them with us!

Need everywhere. We can average five calls a day for help.

*Discovered kittens under the shed, come help. *My mother let a pregnant cat into her house, come trap and take the kittens. *My cat has lost its mind and is attacking me, help. *I have 15 cats in and around my house (usually results in 60+ cats). *I live outside your area, but I can bring the cats to you. *Been feeding a cat for 2 years, not neutered, now he’s injured from fighting, come help. On social media, you may often see “call Feral Fixers, they will help you” and we do help so many!

With all these challenges we must remember the impact we have had, can you imagine how many cats would be roaming the streets, producing more and more, the suffering we have alleviated, feline and human alike! We have much more work to do but what a difference has been accomplished! 

You - donors, volunteers, caretakers, are all responsible for the huge difference Feral Fixers has achieved in the last 16+ years!

What Can We Expect In 2023?

We continue to face the unknown. Who could have expected that across the nation, we are short 15,000 veterinarians? Who could have expected that our nation could be short millions of spay/neuter surgeries? So many different factors are affecting daily lives, it will be interesting to see the impact on cats outdoors, how many kittens will be born to these unneutered females still roaming that no one was able to get to. Prices have gone up for cat food, cat litter, gasoline to take them to appointments & adoptions, and on and on. What can we do? We can continue to get as many spay/neuter appointments as we possibly can and to FILL those appointments, making caretakers aware that they must contact us as soon as a cat is consistent in attendance. It is the ONLY way to lower costs in the future. Once those kittens arrive, we will care for them, using resources for current day expenses, not for preventing even greater expenditures in the future – that is unsustainable and returns us to the past when feral cats were euthanized regularly.

Trapping will resume around the end of March, beginning of April. Keep an eye out for ferals in your area, talk to your neighbors, help us help you to care for those cats.

What Can You Do?

The Amazon Smile donation in November, which covered purchases made between July 1, 2022, and September 30, 2022, came to $606.70. That means that our donors spent $121,340 in that time period and .5% was donated by Amazon Smile – Yay! Use AmazonSmile and designate Feral Fixers – could not be an easier way to raise funds!

Visit our wish lists at Amazon & Chewy – we always need food; canned food in particular goes fast when you are supporting so MANY kittens! Gift cards allow us to purchase what our greatest need at the time is – paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent, litter boxes – amazing the variety of things we purchase to keep going! 

Spread our information to coworkers, family, social media – we have donors across the country! Cats have a ripple effect, they don’t stay in one place and affect wider resources than those on their street, in their town, in their county – even in their state! New people are volunteering with us due to sharing information, but we need more volunteers, many more. Trappers, transporters, cleaners in the building, animal care in the building, fosters, event volunteers, the list goes on. You tell us what you want to do to help, and we try to make that fit for both of our benefits!

Frosty Claws in 2023 

We seem to be returning to some degree of normalcy. As a result, we will be holding our 2023 Frosty Claws on Sunday, January 15^th from 12 noon to 4pm at the Villa Park VFW. We may have huge attendance that day because of skipping years, please be patient. This is an event for our caretakers, adopters, donors, to talk about cats and network with some fundraising and food. We are about to start assembling our Silent Auction and door prize items – we may not have as much “stuff” as in previous years – we will post items as they are created, as soon as we have a chance. We look forward to seeing everyone who can attend!