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Whiskers & Tails: No Tricks, Just Second Chances | October 2026 Newsletter

Writer: fatcatrescueinc
fatcatrescueinc
5 days ago
3 min read

Summary

The October 2026 edition of Whiskers & Tails celebrates black cats, warm hearts, and brighter futures. Meet adoptable kittens Fuji and Sheldon, former mama Tita, and bonded pair Cocoa Bean and Percy. Celebrate recent adoptions, watch Fat Cat Rescue's ABC7 Chicago television feature, and meet Katherine, a dedicated volunteer with 13 years of rescue stories. This issue also shares Halloween cat safety tips, advice for helping community cats prepare for winter, fascinating research about feline purring, and ways to support the rescue through food donations and upcoming events.



Table of Contents

  • From the Editor: No Tricks, Just Second Chances

  • Looking for Love: No Tricks, Just Purrs

    • Fuji

    • Sheldon

    • Tita

    • Cocoa Bean & Percy

  • Happy Tails: A Harvest of New Beginnings

    • Squiggy

    • Chevy

    • Rajah & Venus (now Thor & Runa)

  • Community Heroes

    • Fat Cat Makes the News! ABC7 Chicago Feature

    • Full Bowls for Fall: Friskies Food Drive

  • Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Katherine

    • Thirteen Years, Countless Cats, and One Very Good Chicken Recipe

    • A Memorable First Lesson

    • Princess Violet and Gino Bambino

    • Meet the Chicken Lady

    • The Moment Trust Begins

    • Miguel's Unforgettable Gift

    • Creativity, Care, and Family

    • The Work Behind Every Happy Ending

  • Cat Corner: Before the First Frost

    • Fat Cat's Feral Sanctuary and Kitty City

    • Preparing Outdoor Shelters for Winter

    • Cold Weather Tips for Community Cats

  • Pet Safety: Keep the Spooky Fun Safe for Your Cat

    • Halloween Hazards and Escape Prevention

    • Creating a Quiet, Comfortable Space

  • Did You Know? Your Cat Has a Signature Purr

  • Ask Fat Cat: Should I Put Blankets in an Outdoor Cat Shelter?

  • Coming Up at Fat Cat Rescue

    • Paws & Peppermint Holiday Vendor Fair

  • Until Next Month: Every Cat Counts


Content

The October 2026 edition of Whiskers & Tails embraces the Halloween season with a message that extends far beyond October: every cat deserves a second chance. From black kittens searching for families to longtime sanctuary residents receiving daily care, this issue celebrates the people who make safer, happier futures possible.


This month's Looking for Love feature introduces four adoption stories. Fuji and Sheldon are adorable black kittens beginning their journeys. Tita is a confident, affectionate former mama cat whose kittens have already found homes. Cocoa Bean and her brown tabby brother Percy share an inseparable bond and are looking for a family that will welcome them together.

Happy Tails celebrates several wonderful October adoptions. Squiggy blossomed from a shy kitten into a confident, playful companion before finding his family. Chevy, who originally wandered into a neighbor's garage, also went home. Bonded siblings Rajah and Venus began their new lives together with new names, Thor and Runa. The newsletter recognizes the foster families who helped make these happy endings possible.


Community Heroes brings an especially memorable milestone: Fat Cat Rescue's appearance on ABC7 Chicago! The television feature introduced the rescue's mission to a wider audience and gave adoptable cats an opportunity to reach new families. The section also highlights the Fill Their Bowls Friskies Food Drive, helping the rescue purchase much-needed canned food during a limited-time Costco promotion.


The Volunteer Spotlight introduces Katherine, whose 13 years with Fat Cat Rescue began when her daughter signed her up to volunteer after a chance encounter at an adoption booth. A retired pharmacist, former dance instructor, and longtime cat lover, Katherine shares memories from Fat Cat's early North Chicago location through its current Wadsworth sanctuary. Her stories include beloved cats Princess Violet, Gino Bambino, Miguel, and Milly, along with the patience, music, chicken treats, and affection that helped shy cats learn to trust.


Cat Corner focuses on preparing community cats for colder weather. Readers learn about Fat Cat's feral sanctuary, including Kitty City, where outdoor cats have protected spaces, shelter, food, veterinary care, and access to indoor areas. Practical advice covers weatherproofing shelters, using straw instead of moisture-absorbing blankets, maintaining fresh water, and checking vehicles for cats seeking warmth.


Pet Safety provides Halloween guidance to help prevent stress, accidental escapes, and exposure to holiday hazards. Tips include preparing a quiet room, keeping candy and decorations out of reach, choosing battery-operated candles, and respecting cats who dislike costumes.


Did You Know? explores research showing that individual cats have distinctive purrs. Researchers found that purring contains more consistent identifying information than meowing, offering another fascinating insight into feline communication. Ask Fat Cat answers a seasonal question about outdoor bedding and explains why straw is the safer choice for unheated shelters exposed to moisture.


Finally, the issue looks ahead to the Paws & Peppermint Holiday Vendor Fair on December 5 at the Libertyville Civic Center. Readers are invited to shop from local vendors while helping provide food, medical care, shelter, and second chances for cats in need.


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