Whiskers & Tails Rescue Foundation

04/24/2025

The emails and cries for help are rolling in. It's official, Kitten Season is in ​F​ULL ​swing ​and TNR is C​R​ITICAL right ​now​!

We’re seeing it everywhere​...pregnant cats, newborn kittens, and overwhelmed feeders trying to keep up. It’s officially kitten season​ and that means it’s time to trap now more than ever.

Over the winter, TNR efforts often slow down. But cats don’t wait​, and now, the results are showing. A single unspayed female can lead to dozens of kittens in just a few months, and most of them are born outside with no safety net.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get back out ther​e, this is it.
✅ Pregnant females need to be trapped now
✅ Kittens are being born daily
✅ Prevention saves more lives than rescue ever can

We’ll be sharing TNR tips and resources in the coming ​days and weeks because we know how hard this work is, and how important it is to do it right.

If you need support, reach out. If you’re new to trapping, stick around. And if you’re already out there​, thank you. 🖤

04/22/2025

At just 6 months old, Chairman Meow has already perfected the art of dignified charm. With his flowing long black coat, distinguished grey ear tufts, striking green eyes, and a gaze full of wisdom beyond his years, this handsome young dapper is the epitome of cat elegance.

But don’t let the sophistication fool you, he’s a lover through and through. Chairman Meow thrives on affection and will never pass up a good lap or a cozy cuddle session. He truly enjoys being held and adored (and trust us, you will adore him).

This esteemed gentleman also happens to be quite the socialite. He absolutely adores other cats and must be in a home that already has a feline companion of similar age and/or temperament, or better yet, adopt him with one of his cherished kitty furrends (he’s especially smitten with Ivy Wiggles).

Ready to welcome some purr-fection into your life? Chairman Meow is taking applications for his forever home and we know the right one will be honored to have him.

04/20/2025

Looking for the ultimate snuggle buddy? Then we want to introduce you to Ivy Wiggles, a total sweetheart with a heart full of love and a name as cute as her personality!
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Ivy Wiggles doesn’t just like to be held, she lives for it. She’ll leap right into your arms and gently tuck her head into your neck like it’s the safest place in the world and will just fall asleep (yes, start the aww faces now).

She’s also a social butterfly with other cats, playful, gentle, and ready to make new cat friends. If you’ve got a friendly kitty at home, Ivy Wiggles would be thrilled to join the crew! In fact, she needs to be adopted into a home that already has a cat of like age or temperament or be adopted with one of her friends (she does amazing with her friend Chairman Meow).

⁣Ivy Wiggle's Must-Haves:
☑️Daily cuddles
☑️ Furry friends
☑️Someone to catch her mid-air hugs
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She’s the kind of cat who makes you feel loved every single day. Apply to adopt Ivy Wiggles or share her post to help her find her forever snuggle spot! whiskersandtailsfoundation.org

04/19/2025

I'll say it over and over and over again... I love me some big cheeks, big head, male street cats. I trapped Cheeks McGee last night and brought him in for TNR vetting services today. He's comfortably recovering and resting from his surgery services today and will join his feral colony clan tomorrow. Gawd, I love this guy. Isn't he handsome!!!

04/15/2025

Our little Fig & Honey are still crashed out from all the excitement of Sunday’s Kitten Shower!

We had a full house the entire time, and it was an amazing afternoon filled with arts & crafts, cat tattoos, so much food, tons of laughter, TNR talk, and the best part, endless kitten and cat squeezes and hugs.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support us, brought a gift, or made a donation. Your love means the world to us and helps us continue doing what we do for the cats who need us most.

A huge shoutout to our fabulous volunteers Jennifer and Donna, who baked sooo many tasty treats for everyone to enjoy, and to our local Dunkin’ Donuts for sponsoring the coffee and munchkins that helped keep the party fueled!

And of course, thank you to our other amazing volunteers who helped manage the day and made sure everything ran smoothly. We couldn’t have done it without you!

We’re still smiling from all the love. Thank you for making this such a special day.

04/14/2025

Tomorrow, our sweet Pigwidgeon is heading in for his much-needed “nose glow-up”, a stenotic nares surgery to help him breathe easier and live more comfortably. While prepping for the procedure, we also discovered he has a couple of problematic teeth that need attention, so he’ll be getting dental work done too.​

At just 1.5 years old, Pigwidgeon has already faced more than his fair share of challenges. But from the moment we rescued him, we made a promise to give him the best life possible — and we’re keeping that promise.​

With veterinary costs rising and donations declining, we're feeling the financial strain more than ever, and we could really use your help. If you’re able and would like to support Pigwidgeon’s care, please consider making a donation toward his medical bills. Every dollar brings Pigwidgeon closer to a healthy, happy future— side by side with his brother in a forever home.

Once Pigwidgeon has healed, his journey to find a forever home with his brother will resume.​

Thank you for being part of his journey.

04/12/2025

The Caturday vibes are strong today! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the weather is giving us all the good feels. And guess what? Tomorrow’s looking even better and just in time for our 1st Annual Kitten Shower!

We are thrilled to say it looks like we’re going to have a full house! It warms our hearts to know so many amazing humans want to help save cats and kittens.

Join us as we celebrate the start of kitten season and share how YOU can make a difference. We’ll be there chatting all things - fostering, adopting, volunteering, and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return). Plus, we’ve got fun activities planned, lots of delicious treats, raffle, etc.

Come meet us, mingle with fellow cat lovers, and leave inspired to help change lives.

Can't make it, you can still help us save lives by sending us a gift off our registry or by making a monetary donation.

https://www.whiskersandtailsfoundation.org/info/events?EventID=

These little cuties will be in attendence

04/12/2025

Today, we honor the life of Olivia, a cherished feral cat who crossed over peacefully this afternoon. Eight years ago, her caretakers reached out to us after moving into a new home and discovering a growing colony next door. Through our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, we trapped, sterilized, and vetted the whole colony of cats, and Olivia was among those cats. From that day on, her devoted caretakers provided her with cozy feral shelters and, more importantly, years of unwavering love and care.

Recently, Olivia showed signs of declining health, and a veterinary visit revealed she was facing end-stage kidney disease. Prioritizing her comfort, her caretakers made the compassionate decision to help her cross over peacefully.

Olivia's story is a testament to the impact of TNR and the dedication of compassionate caretakers. She lived a healthy, well-loved life, free from the cycle of overpopulation. We are deeply grateful to her caretakers for giving her a safe and loving home for nearly a decade.​

Rest easy, sweet Olivia. You were truly loved. May your spirit now soar among the butterflies, free and at peace.

04/10/2025

Just a quick reminder that our Kitten Shower is happening this Sunday and we are so excited to see you there! We’ve been working hard to put together a fun and meaningful event, and we really hope you’ll stop by and join us.

While admission is free, we kindly ask that you bring or send a gift from our Kitten Shower Registry. Your support will help us get ready for the flood of kittens already arriving and ensure we’re fully stocked to save lives this season.

Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time!
https://bit.ly/WTRFKittenShower2025

Thank you for being part of our community. We can't wait to celebrate with you! This event is also kid friendly!

Join us for a purrfectly adorable Kitten Shower filled with games, gifts, and cuddly cuteness!

04/10/2025

Spring has officially sprung and you know what that means? CATS. CATS EVERYWHERE!

Like clockwork, spring has arrived and so have the cats. Male cats are out roaming, spreading their “spring spirit,” and females are slipping into motherhood with litters popping up left and right. The cycle is in full swing.

This week alone, FOUR new cats showed up in my yard. Yep, four. And I know for sure that three are males. They’ve banded together like a little gang and are now trying to claim my yard as their own. They found my feeding station and my shelters which, while wonderful for the cats I care for, has also made my yard an open invitation for new visitors (this is one reason we always say you don’t need to buy a feral colony… the cats will come).

I follow a very set feeding schedule and feed only wet food to my colony cats and I’ve already got my plan in motion to trap this new crew and get them TNR’d. Because the only way we stop this nonstop cycle is by getting these cats fixed.

We can’t let the numbers keep climbing. We need to be proactive, not reactive. If you’re seeing new faces in your yard or neighborhood, reach out to us. We’ll help you create a TNR plan that works.

Let’s work together to stop the madness before kitten season gets even more out of hand. ✂️🐱

04/08/2025

🚨 Pigwidgeon Needs Your Help! 🚨

Our sweet, smoosh-faced Persian boy Pigwidgeon has one of the flattest noses we’ve ever seen and unfortunately, that comes with a lot of challenges. Like many Persian cats, Piggy suffers from brachycephalic issues due to the deformity of his skull. His tiny, pinched nostrils make it hard for him to breathe properly. He constantly sounds stuffed up and sick, even when he isn’t.

This chronic breathing struggle is one of the reasons we’ve put a pause on trying to adopt him out. It’s simply too risky. If he were to catch a cold, an adopter might not recognize the warning signs in time, thinking his labored breathing is just “normal.” That kind of delay could be fatal.

But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel! Piggy is scheduled for Stenotic Nare Surgery next Tuesday, a procedure that will widen his nostrils by removing excess tissue. This will drastically improve his airflow and quality of life, finally give him the chance to breathe, play, and live like the happy little guy he’s meant to be.

Once he’s healed, Piggy will finally be ready to find his forever home alongside with his brother Hedwig.

We want to give Piggy the best possible life and we need your help to make that happen. Please consider donating toward the cost of his surgery. Every dollar makes a difference and brings this lovable, snuffly boy one step closer to the life he deserves.

Piggy and all of us here would be so incredibly grateful.

Thank you for loving our little Pigwidgeon as much as we do.

04/05/2025

Did you know? Female kittens can get pregnant as early as 4 months old! That's right, these young girls can start their own families before they’re even fully grown. This goes for male kittens too, who can start fathering litters at the same young age.

In fact, just one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce over 100 kittens in just 2 years. Most of these kittens born on the streets won’t survive, facing hunger, disease, and danger. They also contribute to the overpopulation problem, adding to the overwhelming number of homeless cats on the streets and in shelters. During "kitten season," shelters and rescues are inundated with more kittens than they can handle, and adoption alone is not the solution, it’s only a temporary fix to a much larger issue.

If you find a young cat outside, don’t assume they’re too young to be spayed or neutered. Kittens can be fixed as early as 8 weeks old! Early prevention is key to stopping the cycle of overpopulation and saving lives. Whether it’s a kitten or an adult, getting them fixed as soon as possible helps ensure fewer homeless cats and fewer unwanted litters.

Spaying and neutering is the only humane solution to this ongoing crisis. Taking action when you spot a young cat outside, (or even if it’s a kitten or an adult), helps prevent an even bigger problem down the road. If you find a young cat, don’t wait! Contact your local rescue or low-cost clinic to get them the care they need.

04/05/2025

Sometimes I wonder if the cats know how hard we fight for them. Behind every meal, warm bed, and gentle touch, there’s a person who made the choice to care. Do they feel it when we show up day after day, calling around for vet appointments, setting traps in freezing cold, or staying up late bottle-feeding a kitten who has no mama? I like to think they do, that even if they don’t understand why, they feel the safety and relief, knowing someone finally sees them.

The work we do isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful, and we can’t do it without you. Whether you foster, adopt, donate, volunteer, TNR, or simply share our posts, your role matters more than you know. When we show up for them, they get the chance to be more than a stray or a survivor, they get to be loved.

04/03/2025

Whisker Wednesday Fun Fact!

Did you know that baby kittens are born with their eyes and ears closed, and they rely on their whiskers to help them navigate the world?

Whiskers are like feline GPS, they help cats "see" in the dark, sense changes in their environment, and even measure whether they can fit through tight spaces. Kittens start using their whiskers to explore their surroundings at just two weeks old!

Here are some cool whisker facts:
1️⃣ Whiskers are highly sensitive: They're packed with nerves and act like sensory tools, giving cats a 3D map of their surroundings.
2️⃣ Whiskers can detect air movement: They help cats sense nearby objects or even the approach of a predator!
3️⃣ Whiskers grow in patterns: Cats have whiskers on both sides of their face, above their eyes, and even on the backs of their front legs!

Whiskers aren’t just for looks, they’re essential tools for survival! Our kittens are growing and discovering the world one whisker twitch at a time.

Want to learn more about our kittens and how you can support them? Visit us at our first annual Kitten Shower event on Sunday, April 13th

04/01/2025

Minerva is basically a walking meme, and we’re just here to document it.

We try to capture all of her facial expressions, but they change faster than we can snap the photos. One minute, she’s The Judger, the next, she’s The Gasp, and then, just like that, she’s deep in an existential crisis. What’s next, Minerva? We may never know, but we’ll keep trying to keep up.

What’s one of your cat’s most meme-worthy facial expressions? Tell us in the comments!

Interested in meeting Minerva, fill out an adoption interest form today.

03/31/2025

It’s almost here! Our First Annual Kitten Shower is only 14 days away, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate with you!

Come be a part of this heartwarming event to help collect essential supplies for us as we prepare for kitten season. We’d love for you to join us on Sunday, April 13th, anytime from 11am - 3pm at Uncle Art Gallery (1359 N. Maplewood Ave) for a day filled with fun, community, and of course, adorable kittens. There will be games, kitten naming opportunities, raffles, lite bites, and refreshments. Plus, the first 20 people will receive a special goodie bag! It’s going to be a purr-fect day, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

In addition to all the fun, you'll get the chance to meet some of our adoptable kittens and cats, and learn about ways you can get involved in fostering, TNR, and other volunteer opportunities.

Here’s the best part: Admission is FREE for all! However, you can help our life saving efforts in one of the following ways:

- Donating items from off of our Kitten Shower Registry - https://www.myregistry.com/giftlist/wtrfkittenshower

- Making a monetary donation that will go towards their medical care and other kitten needs.
https://bit.ly/KittenSeasonIsHere

Can’t make it in person? No worries! You can still be part of the celebration by sending a gift from our kitten shower registry or making a monetary donation to help save lives. We’d love for you to be part of the celebration, no matter where you are.

We can’t wait to have you join us for our Kitten Shower, whether in person or virtually, as we enjoy a fun-filled day and come together to support some of our littlest, most fragile kittens.

RSVP Now - https://bit.ly/WTRFKittenShower2025

03/30/2025

Well, folks, it’s official,Hermione and Minerva had the most exciting day at Pet Supplies Plus Wicker Park for our pop up adoption event! They came, they saw, they conquered… and then they got wrapped up like tiny, majestic purritos.

These two spent the day charming every human who walked by, proving once again that their cuteness is simply unstoppable. They also took their judging duties very seriously, silently assessing some of your purchases with that classic feline side-eye.

The real highlight? Minerva deciding that being wrapped up like a snug little burrito was her true calling in life. Hermione, ever the scholar, took notes for future reference.

All in all, 10/10 day. Would purrito again.

Did you meet these two at PSP Wicker Park? Let us know if they cast their spell on you!

03/29/2025

Happy Caturday!

We love cats so much because they’re pure angels… gentle, graceful, and always full of love. Just look at this picture, true evidence of their delicate, innocent nature.

Surely, this plant threw itself onto the floor.The cats would never commit such crimes. No way. Absolutely not.

If you’ll excuse us, we’ll be over here replanting, while certain someones stare at us like we are the problem.

Drop your most “angelic” cat crime stories in the comments!