Curious Cats 4 TNR INC

10/05/2026

Not in Indiana (yet)

The deadly cat virus causing severe outbreaks in animal shelters across Illinois, Idaho, and New York is feline panleukopenia (also known as panleuk or feline distemper). Highly contagious and frequently fatal, this parvovirus has forced multiple facilities to pause intakes and halt cat adoptions to control the spread.
The current updates regarding the impacted areas include:
📍 Regional Updates
• Illinois: The Sangamon County Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield confirmed positive cases. The shelter immediately paused all stray cat intakes and asked the community to help foster existing healthy cats to mitigate crowded conditions.
• Idaho: Animal shelters and veterinary clinics across East Idaho are reporting a severe surge. The Idaho Falls Animal Shelter and Alpine Animal Hospital issued urgent warnings, describing the virus as "spreading like wildfire" and carrying an extremely high mortality rate if not treated immediately.
• New York: The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands suspended all on-site cat adoptions and intakes after tracking suspected cases. They have implemented strict quarantine and advanced disinfection protocols while monitoring the facility.
⚠️ Virus Characteristics & Public Advice
• Vulnerability: While highly lethal to young kittens, veterinarians are warning that unvaccinated adult cats are facing severe illness during this outbreak cycle.
• Transmission: Feline panleukopenia attacks rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. It is exceptionally hardy and spreads via direct contact or contaminated objects (such as shoes, clothing, bedding, and bowls). Because of this, indoor-only cats are still vulnerable if humans accidentally carry the virus inside.
• Symptoms: Pet owners should monitor for extreme lethargy, sudden fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Sudden death can occur in severe cases.
• Prevention: The core feline vaccination provides excellent protection against panleukopenia. Veterinary officials strongly advise all cat owners to ensure their pets' booster shots are completely up to date.

09/13/2026

Help community cats in your area and those who try to make a difference by getting a pet friendly specialty plate. Pet friendly services of Indiana making a difference for community cats, their caregivers, shelters/rescues, TNR organizations and citizens of Indiana.

07/08/2026

A caregiver wanted to take momma and kittens in for a check up. So earlier morning I set up my drop trap then before feeding time I put babies in a smaller trap inside the drop trap then just waited.

06/29/2026

01/28/2026

There is currently a high-risk situation for cats in the Midwest—specifically involving a massive food recall and a rising viral threat. If your cat is indoor/outdoor and lives in the Midwest, they are in the "highest risk" category for the following two issues.
1. Massive Midwest Pet Food Recall (January 2026)
As of January 2026, there is a major recall affecting Gold Star Distribution, a Minneapolis-based company. This recall is extremely serious because it involves "insanitary conditions," including bird and rodent contamination at the warehouse.
• Location: Primarily Minnesota, North Dakota, and Indiana, but products were distributed across the Midwest to over 50 markets and gas stations.
• Affected Brands: The list includes nearly 2,000 products, specifically:
• Meow Mix (multiple varieties)
• Friskies (Shreds, Pate, Prime)
• Fancy Feast
• Purina Cat Chow
• 9Lives (canned and dry)
• The Risk: Potential contamination with Salmonella and Leptospirosis (spread via rodent urine/feces). These can cause rapid organ failure or severe dehydration, leading to sudden death.
2. H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak (The "Sudden Death" Factor)
You mentioned "sudden death" and "indoor/outdoor." This points directly to H5N1 Avian Influenza, which has hit cats in the Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota) particularly hard over the last year.
• How They Get It: Outdoor cats catch it by hunting or scavenging infected birds/rodents or by drinking raw milk.
• Why It’s Sudden: In cats, H5N1 often causes severe neurological damage and liver failure. Cats can go from seemingly healthy to disoriented, seizing, and dead within 24–48 hours.
• Recent Reports: In early 2026, cases have been confirmed in Michigan and Illinois. Some were even "indoor" cats whose owners worked near dairy farms or brought the virus in on their shoes.
Blind Spots
• Tularemia: There is an active increase in Tularemia ("Rabbit Fever") in the Midwest (especially Minnesota). Cats catch it from rabbits or tic

01/24/2026

I was helping our local shelter with TNR this guy ended up in one of the live traps. Took him to get fixed while at the clinic it was discovered he’s already neutered. He’s not microchipped nor was his ear tipped. He has now been given shots and tipped ear. But he belongs to someone. I’ve knocked on a few doors of neighbors where he was trapped looking for his owner. I’ll be back tomorrow to knock on doors. I just don’t want to release him out into this cold weather if I can avoid it. He was trapped on HWY 66 right as your going into Grandview from Rockport. I can be reached by text 812-489-8662

01/10/2026

01/10/2026

JUST ADDED!! We will be coming to Evansville to fix cats and kittens (6 weeks and older) on Feb. 4 & 5. Limited financial assistance available thanks to Pet Friendly Services. PLEASE SHARE!!!! Register NOW at www.pub.vet