Hi-
My family has been adopted by a neighborhood stray. I have seen him/her around the neighborhood for some time but now the cat has been hanging out at our back door. The cat seemed injured but upon closer inspection, he/she seems to have a birth defect and is missing the lower part of the hind leg. The cat limps around but seems to have adapted. The cat was very skittish at first but after we fed it a few times, it has warmed up to all of us. I am allergic and an indoor cat is not an option. I would just continue on this course but winter is coming and I live in a suburb of Chicago. I am worried about the falling temperatures and what will happen to the cat. I am concerned that it could take time to find this cat a home so I am wondering if anyone knows of any places in my area that would "rescue" a cat like this until they can find it a suitable home. I am sure this cat has had no care, i.e. shots, spay/neutering, etc. I would be willing to pay for these things but it is really the housing issue. Anyone have any places I could contact.
Thanks for your help!

There's nothing like feeding a stray cat to win its love! Thank you for doing that. Now, let's get the cat off the street before winter comes. It's supposed to get colder at the end of the week.

Are you anywhere near Lombard? Cat Guardians is there and would probably lend you a trap (if you need one) and foster the cat until a good home could be found. Here's their site with phone # (voice mail, so be patient to get a call-back):

Cat Guardians Inc.

If you are in the south suburbs or elsewhere, please PM me so I can tell you a closer shelter to contact.

WG, owned by four rescued cats

I am near Lombard and had found Cat Guardians as a possible place to bring the cat but their website says that they are at full capacity and not taking any more cats. I was also looking at the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove. They are also a no-kill shelter. I already care about this cat so I would be willing to donate for its spaying/neutering and initial vaccinations---I just can't provide the roof over its head. I suppose I will call Cat Guardians anyway and see if they can point me in another direction because I know it is supposed to get cold at the end of the week. Now that the cat has gotten used to us, it will let us pick it up. So I think I could probably get it into a carrier or something to transport it when I need to.

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Originally Posted by cathelper

I am near Lombard and had found Cat Guardians as a possible place to bring the cat but their website says that they are at full capacity and not taking any more cats. I was also looking at the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove. They are also a no-kill shelter. I already care about this cat so I would be willing to donate for its spaying/neutering and initial vaccinations---I just can't provide the roof over its head. I suppose I will call Cat Guardians anyway and see if they can point me in another direction because I know it is supposed to get cold at the end of the week. Now that the cat has gotten used to us, it will let us pick it up. So I think I could probably get it into a carrier or something to transport it when I need to.

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Hmmm. That's what the site says in order to discourage random dropoffs of cats (and they still get those in cardboard boxes left by the back door, etc.). I know West Suburban sort of, so that's worth a try too.

Let me call a CG volunteer in the morning to find out if they will take your stray. Would that be okay if I call? (I'm a volunteer too, and know whom to call.) Meanwhile, feel free to call West Suburban.

You truly are a Wondergirl! I would really appreciate it if you would call since it seems that you have an in. She really does seem to be a sweet cat. She slept in the blanket we left out for her all night and was waiting by the back door in the morning for some food. My kids (and me--even with my allergies) are getting attached so the sooner I can find her a new home would probably be better for them. As I said, I would definitely make a donation to cover her medical costs and a little extra!

I called a volunteer I know and need to share personal contact information with you in order to help "your" cat. Please email me. (Click on my name to get to my profile where there is a place to click to send me email.)

Would you be able to get the cat to a vet to check for microchipping, for neutering, and for a general health check, as well as to determine if the leg problem is from an injury or from birth? There's DuPage Clinic in Glen Ellyn just south of Roosevelt on Park or the Lombard Vet Clinic on St. Charles just west of Grace St. I hope to hear from you.

I tried to send you an email but when I clicked on your profile, it said that you had no contact information. I could probably do those things if that would make placing her easier although as I said, I would also be willing to pay a shelter for those things as well.

Hmmm, try clicking for my PM?

There's a volunteer named Dawn who religiously checks voice mail at the shelter (Cat Guardians). Please call and leave a message specifically for her. Tell briefly about the cat and emphasize how friendly it is and that you would be willing to pay for (and do the driving for?) the vet stuff. Tell her you talked with a vol. (me) who talked with another vol. Diane M. at work this morning. She knows Diane's numbers and can check about this.