Happy Anniversary, Tree House Humane Society

Tree House Humane Society is celebrating their 40th Anniversary.

Listen HERE (may take a moment to load) to Executive Director Dave DeFuniak and Development Director Jenny Schlueter talk about how innovative Tree House has been, and continues to be.

For starters, all cat shelters were very much a rarity 40-years ago. Tree House has from day one been ‘no-kill,’ and a haven for injured, abused, disabled and FIV cats which no one else will take and even attempt to adopt.

Tree House provides for care of cats with three legs or even without eyesight – or other disabilities…and has a special room for cats with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and successfully adopts them all out.

Tree House was one of the first cat only shelters to maintain cats in social groups (as opposed to individual cages or kennels).

Tree House today is a national leader and resource for trap, neuter, return (TNR). This is humane way to deal effectively with feral cats. Also, Tree House offers Chicagoans in need with food via their pet food pantry.

Two announcements are made in this Petcast.

– To celebrate their 40th year, the Tree House (adult) cats will adopted FREE (waiving the $85 adoption fee). By the way, FIV cats are always available at no charge. Jenny and Dave explain how wonderful these cats are, and the medical facts (opposed to some misconceptions). At Tree House FIV cats are adopted with a lifetime health guarantee.

– Tree House is building a new facility in Rogers Park, and officially kicking off a development campaign.

Tree House is celebrating all of this at the Black Cat Ball, Friday, October 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Red Canary (695 N. Milwaukee Ave.). Admission $90 to $100.

Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, of CEVA Animal Health, and author of “Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger, Life” talks about why cats spray, and what you can do about it.