Indy Neighborhood Cats

10/17/2026

❤️ Eight Hours. One Very Special Senior Kitty Named Simone. And a Retirement She Deserves. 🐾

Tonight, as Indianapolis prepares for the first freezing temperatures of the season, one very special senior kitty will NOT be spending the night outside.

Meet Simone, a beautiful, blind Lynx Point girl who had lost her outdoor shelters, leaving her vulnerable just as temperatures were about to drop. For a senior cat who can no longer see, navigating the world is challenging enough. Facing freezing temperatures without a safe place to sleep was heartbreaking.

But Simone had some very determined people in her corner! ❤️

Early this morning, our incredible trapper Casey arrived to begin the watch. This wasn't going to be an easy rescue. Simone was understandably cautious, and patience was going to be everything.

When Casey had to leave, Betty stepped in without missing a beat. Working alongside Simone's caretaker, she waited. And waited. And waited some more.

The photos tell the story. A beautiful old girl seeking safety beneath parked cars, a carefully positioned drop trap, and volunteers who refused to give up.

Every time Simone moved closer, hearts skipped a beat. Every time she wandered away, the waiting continued.

And then, finally, hunger won!

Simone made her way beneath the drop trap, and in one beautiful moment, SHE WAS SAFE! ❤️

Nearly EIGHT HOURS of watching, waiting, teamwork, and determination for ONE senior cat.

Why? Because her life matters. Because being old doesn't mean being forgotten. And because being blind doesn't mean she deserves anything less than comfort, dignity, and love.

But here's where Simone's story gets even better!

Our wonderful friends at Hotel Bravo have opened their hearts and their home to give Simone something extraordinary.

A RETIREMENT HOME! 🏡❤️

No more searching for shelter beneath cars. No more worrying about where she'll sleep when temperatures fall. Instead, Simone will have warmth, security, full meals, and the opportunity to enjoy her golden years with the Hotel Bravo crew.

For those who have followed our adventures with Hotel Bravo over the years, you know just how special this is. They've given some extraordinary community cats a chance to experience the finer things in life, and now it's Simone's turn.

We are incredibly grateful to Casey, Betty, and Simone's caretaker for making this rescue possible. And to our friends at Hotel Bravo, thank you for once again recognizing the beauty and value of a life that deserves a little extra love.

Tonight, while temperatures drop outside, Simone will be warm and safe.

Eight hours might seem like a long time to wait for one cat. But when that wait changes the rest of her life, every single minute was worth it.

Welcome to retirement, sweet Simone. You've earned it! ❤️🐾

Sometimes our impact isn't measured by how many cats we rescue. Sometimes it's measured by one life that will never have to face another freezing night alone.

10/16/2026

Happy National Feral Cat Day! How will you be participating in celebrating the BEST day of the year? In honor of Boots, please consider a donation to Indy Neighborhood Cats so that we can continue to say yes to the cats who have lived in our neighborhoods, that are in need of a little warmth and care at the end of their watch. We have had several residents at Hotel Bravo and we help access and cover medical during their time.

Shelter-Feed-Fix-Care

10/13/2026

September 2026: Every Number Represents a Cat, a Caretaker, and a Chance to Make a Difference ❤️🐾

September was another busy month for Indy Neighborhood Cats, with our team responding to hundreds of requests while continuing the hands-on work of helping cats across Indianapolis.

Our September Operations Snapshot:

🐾 178 cats TNR'd, spayed or neutered

❤️ 36 medical cases — bringing our 2026 total to 371

🏡 28 cats and kittens placed through rescue partners

📞 361 incoming helpline calls

📝 157 new assistance cases

That's 518 requests for help in just one month.

Medical care remains one of our greatest challenges. Community cats arrive with injuries, infections, wounds, and painful conditions that often go untreated.

Our priority is addressing medical needs at the time of spay/neuter surgery, when cats are already receiving veterinary care. But emergencies don't wait for surgery appointments.

In 2025, we transferred 567 kittens and 86 adult house cats to rescue partners. Another 28 cats and kittens received that opportunity this September.

But rescue alone cannot end overpopulation.
Indianapolis needs affordable spay/neuter, accessible veterinary care, committed trappers, and community members empowered to help. Families and caretakers want to do the right thing. Too often, access to resources stands in their way.

Seven years after we started, our commitment to community cats has not changed. We have not finished what we started.

We cannot rescue our way out of overpopulation, and we cannot trap our way out without preventing the next generation of homeless cats.

Every surgery prevents suffering. Every medical case matters. Every friendly cat deserves a chance.

Your support helps us keep doing all three. ❤️
Donations through PayPal Giving Fund is the best electronic way of donating to us.
There are no processing fees and we get the payouts monthly.
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/3652517

Donations via credit card; https://square.link/u/NH7EYdR2

Mail a check
Indy Neighborhood Cats
6929 E 10th St #143
Indianapolis, IN 46219

10/10/2026

Come on by Indianapolis Animal Care Services. Indy Neighborhood Cats is out with FIDO Indy and providing the community information for their community day. There's barbecue, candy, dog and kitty treats, and great company. Come on out and show your support for our brand new city shelter.

Shelter - Feed - Fix - Care

10/10/2026

If you live on the west side near 10th and Raceway, please look out for this guy and get a hold of their caretaker. This baby needs to be back home.

Indy Lost Pet Alert uses social media to spread the word about lost and found pets!

10/09/2026

How to protect cats from car engines in cold weather

As temperatures dip to deadly lows, cats, kittens, or other small animals will find their way into engine compartments of cars. You would be surprised how flexible and creative they are.

So if you park your cars outdoors, please give some loud bangs on the hood, honk your horn a few times to startle any animal that has crept into a warmed engine overnight.

Give them a few minutes. A few extra minutes can save many lives.



Disclaimer: The curious kitty in the separate image hopped into the engine compartment while his caretaker was doing a tune up on his car. No cat was harmed in the process. Though, this is a good example of "curiosity killed the cat". 😉

10/08/2026

YOUR WINTER CAT CHECKLIST: FOOD + WATER 🍽️💧

Community cats don’t stop needing fresh water just because it’s cold outside.

As temperatures begin to fall, take a look at your feeding setup.
✅ Feed on a predictable schedule
✅ Keep the feeding area clean
✅ Protect food and water from wind, rain and snow
✅ Check water frequently once temperatures begin freezing
✅ Consider a heated water bowl where electricity can be used safely
✅ Expect cats to need a little more food during very cold weather
✅ Before a major snowstorm, make sure you have enough food on hand for your colony

A simple covered feeding station can also make winter care much easier for both you AND the cats.
Caring for community cats is not complicated—but consistency matters.

Our new website is being built to put practical information like this in one place for Indianapolis caretakers.
Check out our winter survival guide.
https://www.indyneighborhoodcats.org/winter-tips-survival-guide/

10/06/2026

STRAW. NOT HAY. NOT BLANKETS. 🐱❄️

This is one of the most important winter shelter tips we can share:

Use STRAW inside outdoor cat shelters.
Not blankets.
Not towels.
Not pillows.
Not hay.

Fabric absorbs moisture. Once it gets damp, it can become cold—and that is exactly what we are trying to prevent.
Straw repels moisture and gives cats material they can burrow into for warmth.

Already have a shelter from a previous year? Great! Open it up now, remove any wet or dirty material, check the condition of the shelter and refill it with fresh straw before the cold weather arrives.

And remember: straw needs to be checked and replenished throughout the winter too.

Sometimes helping a community cat really is this simple. ❤️
Winter shelter pickup starts November 14th. We will have all the goodies and straw you need for your shelters.

10/05/2026

WINTER PREP STARTS NOW ❄️🐈

The first freezing night is NOT the time to discover that your community cats’ shelter needs a little attention.

October is a great time to check your colony and get ready for winter:
🐾 Make sure shelters are dry and in good condition
🐾 Elevate shelters off cold, wet ground when possible
🐾 Position entrances away from the prevailing wind
🐾 Clean out old bedding
🐾 Add fresh STRAW
🐾 Check feeding areas and water bowls
🐾 Make sure every cat in the colony has been spayed/neutered and vaccinated

A little preparation now can make a huge difference when Indiana winter arrives.
And if you don’t have shelters yet—we’ve got you covered.

Our 2026 Winter Shelter Pickup begins Saturday, November 14 at 1505 N. Sherman Drive. We’ll have plenty of shelters, straw, extra insulation and resources for community-cat caretakers.