Frequently Asked Questions about Tree House Humane Society and Animal Care
What is Tree House Humane Society?
How did Tree House get started?
Are you all volunteers?
Do you have dogs at Tree House Humane Society?
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from Tree House Humane Society?
Where do you get your operating funds? Do you receive government grants?
Can I adopt an unspayed/unneutered cat?
Do you accept FIV positive cats?
Do you accept FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) cats?
How does a cat gain admission to Tree House?
There is a stray cat in my alley. Will you take her?
I am in a new relationship and my new partner does not like my cat, will you take my cat?
Do you ever turn animals away?
I supported you with a donation, but then you refused to admit a cat I found. Why should I continue to support you?
Do you ever euthanize animals?
The ‘no-kill’ idea is nice, but aren’t you adding to the problem by limiting your admissions?
What do you have against "traditional" shelters that do euthanize animals?
I would like to volunteer at Tree House Humane Society. What do I need to do?
My cat... (scratches my furniture, urinates out of the box, bites, etc.). What can I do?
I have heard some really (good/bad) things about Tree House Humane Society. Are these things true?
I don’t have a lot of money, what can I do to help?
What is your position on declawing cats?
What is your position on purebreds?
Do you work with or accept dogs?
What is your position on animal right issues like fur, meat and vivisection?
What is Tree House Humane Society?
Tree House Humane Society is a humane organization that is best known for our cageless, no-kill cat shelter, and our low-cost spay/neuter programs for cats and dogs. Tree House specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured, abused and neglected stray cats. We also offer a wide variety of programs to help animals and people who live with animals.
Some of our programs include (773-784-5488):
- Animal Assisted Therapy Program - ext. 228
- Caretaking - ext. 224
- Volunteer Program - ext. 228
- Junior Volunteer Program - ext. 228
- Humane Trap Rentals - ext. 0
- Feline Behavior Hotline - ext. 300
- Cat Adoption Center - ext. 235
- Spay/Neuter Hotline- 773 227 5535 ext. 0
- Community Cats (Trap Neuter Return) ext. 234
- Pet Loss/Grief Seminar - ext. 227
- Director of Development ext. 231
- Outreach Events - ext. 238
How did Tree House get started?
A small group of caring people were concerned about the lack of services for animals in Chicago. They held meetings, planned and organized. They also took in needy strays and cared for them in their own homes. Once their ideas began to take hold, they formed the organization that would take the name of Tree House Animal Foundation and more recently Humane Society.
Are you all volunteers?
Over 300 hard working, dedicated volunteers work side by side with our staff. Volunteers work in every area of Tree House from direct care for the cats to data entry. Members of our Board of Directors are all Tree House volunteers as well.
Do you have dogs at Tree House Humane Society?
No. We are not licensed to have dogs on our property. Although we do not shelter dogs, we do offer humane education programs that encourage kindness to all animals. We also assist low-income families with cat and dog food with our Animal Food Pantry and we provide services for dogs at our Spay/Neuter clinic.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from Tree House Humane Society?
Tree House Humane Society’s current adoption fee is $85.00. Adoption fee includes spay or neuter surgery, a microchip, complete vaccinations, a 30-day health guarantee and veterinary exam.
Where do you get your operating funds? Do you receive government grants?
Tree House Humane Society is funded by donations, adoption fees, and merchandise sales. We do apply for private and corporate grants as well, but we rely on the generosity of caring individuals for the majority of our funding. We do not receive any government assistance. We have also received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s most-utilized independent evaluator of charities.
Can I adopt an unspayed/unneutered cat?
No. With more than 4 million unwanted cats and dogs euthanized each year we can not allow any Tree House Humane Society cat to reproduce.
Do you accept FIV positive cats?
Tree House Humane Society has the largest FIV adoption program in the midwest.. FIV positive cats at Tree House Humane Society live in their own section of Tree House, but we do advocate for them to be adopted into multiple cat households with non-FIV cats, as long as the guardians are aware of and comfortable with the miniscule risk involved in intermingling the cats. We generally adopt out approximately 15 FIV cats/year. This year alone we’ve already adopted out 16 FIV+ cats in-house and a few more via our Community Cats Program. The adoption fee is waived and the cats come with a health contract which entitles them to at-cost care at our clinic for the duration of their lives.
Do you accept FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) cats?
When a cat tests positive for the Feline Leukemia Virus, we keep them in isolation until a foster home can be found for them. Then we help promote the cat for adoption via our website and social media. This year we’ve helped find homes for 5 FeLV+ cats.
How does a cat gain admission to Tree House?
Tree House Humane Society’s primary mission is to aid sick, injured, abused, and neglected stray cats. Every day we get upwards of 50+ with calls about stray cats in need of assistance. We must place priority with those cats that have no one to speak for them! If you know of a cat in need please call Tree House Humane Society at (773) 784-5488 ext. 0, we would be happy to submit an admission request for you and if we do not have space we can direct you to a shelter that might be able to assist you or guide you on how to adopt out the cat independently.
There is a stray cat in my alley. Will you take her?
Admissions are handled according to urgency (is the cat in danger, sick, injured, pregnant?) and shelter space. Please call our reception desk at (773) 784-5488 ext.0, and let our staff know about the cat’s situation.
I am in a new relationship and my new partner does not like my cat, will you take my cat?
It might take time to introduce your cat to the new person in your life. Please do not ruin one relationship for the sake of a new one. There are several ways to introduce the new person in your life to your companion animal. With time and a little patience you and your new partner can both enjoy the company of your cat together. The Tree House Humane Society Behavior Hotline (773) 784-5488 ext. 300, can offer you advice to help introduce your companion animal to the new person in your life.
Do you ever turn animals away?
Our model cageless “No Kill” Adoption Center is designed to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured strays those that would face immediate euthanasia at many other shelters or a painful death if untreated. Because of the vast number of stray and unwanted animals, no shelter could possibly take them all. That is why Tree House Humane Society attacks the homeless animal problem on all fronts with spay and neuter services, humane education, behavior counseling, assistance for low-income cat and dog owners, as well as sheltering.
I supported you with a donation, but then you refused to admit a cat I found. Why should I continue to support you?
Our services are limited only by our resources. We would love to take in every homeless animal, but unfortunately, that is not realistic. We help the animals who have the most desperate need and face the most suffering. It is very hard to say no, but we owe it to the animals we already shelter to be able to provide proper care for them. We are sorry for not being able to take the animal you found, but please remember that withholding donations from us will only mean that we can do less - the more resources we have the more we can do.
Do you ever euthanize animals?
We euthanize only after a veterinarian has determined that the animal is in a state of terminal suffering. If we happen to receive a friendly, non-symptomatic FeLV + cat, we do place that cat in a foster home rather than euthanizing the animal, but if a FeLV+ cat is already in the last stages of the disease, we do euthanize that animal.
The ‘no-kill’ idea is nice, but aren’t you adding to the problem by limiting your admissions?
Our Adoption Center is only one of our model programs. With tens of million of strays in the U.S., it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we are making progress. In the last 10 years along the euthanasia rate has decreased by 50% in Chicago. We are proud that our shelter is an alternative facility a haven for animals that would ordinarily never get a chance at adoption and a reminder that animals have an intrinsic value, not just value in relation to human needs.
What do you have against “traditional” shelters that do euthanize animals?
Nothing! We are all in this together! We know that there are many ways to combat the homeless companion animal problem, and every organization plays a role. Tree House Humane Society provided services that did not exist before we came on the scene and we act as a model for change.
I would like to volunteer at Tree House Humane Society. What do I need to do?
Please visit the volunteer section of our website. There you will find numerous opportunities that hopefully will interest you. If you have specific questions about a volunteer position do not hesitate to email our Director of Programs, Ollie Davidson.
My cat … (scratches my furniture, urinates out of the box, bites, etc.). What can I do?
Cats are complex creatures! There could be many reasons for your cat’s behavior. It is always a good idea to first consult with your veterinarian if your cat displays a new, odd behavior. You can also call our Behavior Hotline for additional help (773) 784-5488 ext. 300.
I have heard some really (good/bad) things about Tree House Humane Society. Are these things true?
At Tree House we are very proud of our service to the cats and the community. You should stop in for a visit and see the shelter for yourself! We love to show off our shelter and our great cats! We are open every day of the week. You can call (773) 784-5488 ext.0 to arrange a tour!
I don’t have a lot of money, what can I do to help?
We’ve recently added a new section called “More Ways to Help” which details EVERYTHING someone can do to help! Here are some of them: We have a Wish List of many items that are always in need. We also participate in a number of small and easy fundraising programs throughout the year including a number of Adoption Days and promotions with local businesses. You can also help Tree House by shopping on-line at igive.com and good shop.com, taking on-line surveys or donating old cell phones and ink cartridges. Tree House and there are many other things you can do such as organize a rummage sale, bake sale or office fundraiser. People have selected Tree House to be the recipients of their birthday and wedding presents and have even run Marathond in honor of Tree House! There are so many things that you can do…and we appreciate anything you can do to help! To see upcoming events and fundraisers please go to our website: TreeHouseAnimals.org. We also rely on our volunteers. Volunteering is free, fun and very rewarding and there are so many things that you can do. A list of our volunteer opportunities at Tree House are also listed on our webpage.
What is your position on declawing cats?
Tree House Humane Society does not support declawing. Scratching is a natural activity for cats and should be directed towards items intended for that use, like a scratching post or pad. Tree House Humane Society’s behavioral hotline can assist you if you are concerned with your cat's scratching behavior. Call (773) 784-5488 ext. 300.
What is your position on purebreds?
With eight puppies and kittens born for every available home, we simply can not endorse the deliberate breeding of dogs or cats. The problem is that dogs and cats are being born not what kind.
Do you work with or accept dogs?
Tree House Humane Society is much more than a cat shelter! In the beginning, we fostered both dogs and cats and we even sheltered dogs temporarily until they were able to be placed in foster homes. We have humane education programs that encourage kindness to all animals. We also assist low-income families with spaying or neutering at our new clinic. At Tree House, we believe all animals are special and should be treated humanely, with dignity and respect!
What is your position on animal right issues like fur, meat and vivisection?
Tree House Humane Society’s primary focus is on companion animal issues, however Tree House Humane Society has a deep unalterable conviction that every living being has an inalienable right to all the dignity and respect that life implies. Rather than thinking in terms of “anti“, we think in terms of “pro”, pro-kindness, pro-compassion, pro-humanity in all dealings with all the creatures of the world.
Other Important Facts:
Education/Public Services
Tree House is active in several public service programs designed to promote proper animal care and offer solutions to common caretaking problems and difficult situations. Programs include:
- Animal Food Pantry for low-income families
- Volunteer-driven Animal-assisted Therapy Program for local medical facilities
- Youth Volunteer Program
- Education Outreach Program to local schools and community businesses, which allows us to educate children and adults on the benefits of a human/animal relationship.
Health care
All Tree House cats are spayed or neutered, screened for parasites, micro-chipped, vaccinated and treated for any illnesses before they are made available for adoption. Cats with chronic medical conditions are treated here as they would be in a private home; medication and supportive care is given as prescribed by our veterinarians.
Thanks to generous donor support, we have a modern medical clinic that provides the ability to perform procedures such as spays, neuters, biopsies, dental surgeries, and exploratory surgeries. The ability to perform these procedures has allowed Tree House to achieve the highest level of care for our feline residents.
Tree House operates primarily on private donations and the generosity of volunteers who give their time. Every donation, large or small, helps ensure that every cat entrusted to our care receives the best possible medical attention, the highest quality food, and the most comfortable surroundings. Your donations also help promote and develop our many programs in animal welfare and education.
- If you are considering adopting a cat, visit Tree House. We have over 100 wonderful cats of all ages available. Adoption hours are Wednesday through Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Call the Adoption Center at (773) 784-5488 ext. 235 for information.
- We are always in need of volunteers at Tree House! Call (773) 784-5488 x 228 to learn about volunteer opportunities and to request an application.
- To find out how you can help Tree House and to see a list of our upcoming events, visit our Web site at www.treehouseanimals.org, or call us at 773-784-5488.
