OUR INTAKE POLICIES

Tree House Humane Society is a managed-admission shelter that supports community cats and the registered colony caretakers who care for them. We provide scheduled admission appointments to support a vulnerable population of cats, including nursing moms and kittens, as well as sick or injured cats.

Our work is rooted in a community approach: we partner with colony caretakers, pet families, and community members to help cats thrive wherever they are. Not every outdoor cat needs to come into the shelter. Community cats are often well equipped to thrive in their outdoor environments, and lost cats have a better chance of reuniting with their caregivers when they stay in the neighborhood where they were found.

When you encounter an outdoor cat, you can make a meaningful difference by following the steps below to determine what they need and how you can help. By working together, we can connect vulnerable cats with the support they need while empowering the people who care for cats in our communities. Together, we can help more cats thrive.

For admissions outside of these circumstances, we recommend Chicago Animal Care and Control, which serves as the city’s resource for lost and found animals. CACC can help reunite cats with their caregivers and connect cats who need additional support with adoption or transfer opportunities, including transfer to organizations like Tree House.

A quick note about intake requests

At this time, our intake capacity is limited, and response times may be longer than usual. While we may not be able to assist immediately, we remain committed to supporting our community and can help provide guidance and resources as we navigate this temporary transition.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding.

What to Do If You’ve Found A Cat:

In Chicago, thousands of stray cats are found every year. They may be pets separated from their families, stray cats born outdoors, or community cats in a managed colony.  If you find a cat, here are some steps you can take:

  1. If the cat is friendly and approachable, it is likely someone’s pet. Post photos of the cat in local social media groups, such as Lost Cats Illinois, or talk with neighbors.
  2. Get the cat to a shelter or veterinarian to scan for a microchip.
  3. Post signs around your neighborhood and on your local community Facebook pages.
  4. If you are unable to locate a guardian, you can take the cat to your local animal control facility.

Tree House’s mission is to focus on stray cats. Therefore, we are a managed-admission shelter and do not accept owner surrenders.