Frequently Asked Questions

Urgent Help

    • Contact Hyde Park Cats with clear photos, the location found, and any medical or behavior concerns. We can help guide you through the next steps.

    • Check for a collar or identification.

    • Ask nearby neighbors whether they recognize the cat.

    • Have the cat scanned for a microchip at a veterinary clinic or shelter.

    • Post clear photos in local lost-pet groups. Hyde Park Cats can also share the cat on our channels, but Nextdoor, Chicago Community Cats, and PawBoost are good places to reach more people. Check Facebook for additional neighborhood and lost-pet groups.

    • If possible, keep the cat safe while you look for an owner or arrange next steps.

    We have limited foster space, so we may not be able to take the cat immediately. If you can care for the cat temporarily and help with the rescue process, our Community Foster Program may be a good fit.

    • Search close to home first. Most missing indoor cats hide nearby.

    • Look under porches, decks, cars, bushes, stairs, and other small, quiet spaces.

    • Search late at night or early in the morning, when the neighborhood is quieter. Use a flashlight to look for reflected eyes.

    • Ask neighbors to check garages, sheds, basements, crawl spaces, and enclosed porches.

    • Post clear photos online and around the neighborhood.

    • Contact local shelters and veterinary clinics.

    • Place familiar bedding or clothing near your door.

    Keep searching the same areas regularly. A frightened cat may stay silent or hidden, even when you are nearby.

  • Contact Hyde Park Cats as soon as possible. We can help assess the situation, recommend clinics, and, in some cases, extend our rescue discount.

    Hyde Park Cats cannot provide emergency treatment directly. A cat who is struggling to breathe, bleeding heavily, unable to stand, unresponsive, or showing signs of severe pain needs emergency veterinary care. Do not delay treatment while waiting for a response from us.

  • Hyde Park Cats cannot care for birds, rabbits, squirrels, or other wildlife. We can post through our lost-and-found listserv, but we are not able to provide rescue, transport, or treatment.

Adoption and Fostering

    • Browse our available cats.

    • Submit an adoption application.

    • Our volunteers will review your application and contact your references.

    • Approved applicants can meet cats who may be a good match.

    • If everyone agrees it is the right fit, we will arrange the adoption.

    Our goal is to find a safe, lasting match for both the cat and adopter.

  • Start slowly.

    • Give the new cat a quiet room of their own.

    • Keep them separate from resident pets at first.

    • Exchange bedding or toys so the animals can learn each other’s scent.

    • Begin short, supervised introductions when everyone seems calm.

    • Do not force interaction.

    Introductions may take days or weeks. Moving at the cats’ pace usually leads to better results.

    For a step-by-step overview, watch Jackson Galaxy’s How to Introduce Cats.

  • Kittens often do well in pairs because they can:

    • Play and exercise together

    • Learn appropriate social behavior

    • Keep each other company

    • Be less likely to direct rough play toward people or resident pets

    An adult cat can also be a good companion for a single kitten, helping show them the ropes while providing play, boundaries, and companionship.

  • Adult and senior cats are often easier to match with the right household because their personalities are already established.

    They may also:

    • Need less supervision than kittens

    • Be calmer and more settled

    • Adjust well to quieter homes

    • Form deep bonds with their adopters

    • Be a good fit for people looking for a more predictable companion

  • Item descriptionFosters provide a safe indoor home while a cat prepares for adoption.

    Hyde Park Cats provides:

    • Veterinary care

    • A carrier, if needed

    • Guidance and adoption support

    • Donated supplies when available

    Fosters generally provide food, litter, daily care, photos, updates, and time for veterinary appointments and adoption meetings.

    Learn About Fostering

Cat Health and Behavior

  • FIV, or feline immunodeficiency virus, affects a cat’s immune system. It is mainly spread through deep bite wounds.

    FIV+ cats can often live long, happy lives and cohabit with other kitties. All cats should be spay-neutered to avoid fights or mating. Caring for a FIV+ cat includes having:

    • Indoor housing

    • Regular veterinary care

    • Good nutrition

    • Prompt treatment when they become ill

    FIV is not spread to people or other animal species.

  • Declawing removes part of each toe, not just the claw. It can cause pain, mobility problems, litter-box avoidance, and biting.

    Better options include:

    • Regular nail trims

    • Scratching posts and pads

    • Nail caps

    • Protecting furniture with covers or tape

    • Rewarding appropriate scratching

    • Using pheromone-based calming aids like Feliway

    • Start the cat in a quiet, secure room.

    • Provide hiding places, an elevated perch, and a predictable routine.

    • Keep food, water, and the litter box easily accessible.

    • Sit nearby - let them feel your presence, without staring, reaching, or forcing interaction.

    • Use treats, food, and play to create positive associations.

    • Try a feline pheromone diffuser, such as Feliway, or soft cat-calming music.

    • Move slowly, speak softly, and let the cat approach on their own.

    • Watch their body language and give them space when they seem overwhelmed.

    Progress may take a few days, several weeks, or longer, depending on the cat. Patience and consistency matter more than speed.

Community Cats and TNR

  • Trap-neuter-return, or TNR, is a humane way to care for outdoor cats and prevent new litters.

    TNR is usually appropriate for cats who are not socialized to people and are unlikely to be comfortable indoors. Signs may include keeping their distance, avoiding eye contact, staying silent rather than meowing at people, or appearing only at quiet times.

    Cats who have already been through TNR usually have the tip of their left ear removed while under anesthesia. This ear tip shows that they have been spayed/ neutered and vaccinated.

    Cats without an ear tip should be evaluated for TNR. Friendly cats, young kittens, and cats who may be lost or abandoned should be checked for a microchip and assessed for foster or adoption rather than automatically returned outdoors.

    TNR helps keep outdoor cats healthier by preventing pregnancy and reducing mating-related roaming and fighting.

    • Provide food and fresh water on a regular schedule.

    • Keep feeding areas clean.

    • Offer weather-appropriate shelter.

    • Arrange TNR for cats who are not already ear-tipped.

    • Watch for illness, injury, or new cats joining the colony.

    For help with TNR, email hello@hydeparkcats.org. Access to a car is especially helpful to help transport kitty to their clinic appointment.

  • Several Chicago-area clinics and animal-welfare organizations offer lower-cost services.

    Availability, pricing, and eligibility can change, so contact providers directly before making plans. Hyde Park Cats may also be able to point you toward resources.

Help Caring for Your Pet

  • Local pet-food pantries and animal-welfare organizations may provide temporary assistance. Hyde Park  Cats can also help depending on supplies. Reach out to supplies@hydeparkcats.org for more information.

    You can also:

    • Ask your veterinarian about local programs.

    • Contact neighborhood food pantries.

    • Check with Chicago animal shelters and rescue groups.

    • Reach out before your supply runs out, since availability may be limited.

Still have questions?

Email hello@hydeparkcats.org and include:

  • Your name and neighborhood

  • A brief description of the situation

  • Clear photos, when relevant

  • Whether you can provide temporary care or transportation

The more information you share, the easier it is for our volunteers to point you in the right direction.