Lenny has a very important question....

Hello, friends! It's me, Lenny again. And I was hoping you'd help me out with something. I have a very important question I'd like to ask a lovely lady but I'm feeling a little bit nervous. I know if you guys are here, backing me up, I'll have the nerve to do it! See, NAHS has a big event coming up, The Black Cat Ball. Not only is it a beautiful event, but it also supports NAHS and helps cats and dogs like me get adopted! I know I'd like to go, but I need a date. And I've got my eyes on Bessie. She's a five year old American Pit Bull Terrier mix who is here waiting for a family like me. Wish me luck!

So, Bess, um, how are you today?

Hi, Lenny! I'm good...how are you?

Well, to be honest, I'm a little nervous.

Why, Lenny? I've never seen you nervous before?

Um, see, you and I have been spending a lot of time together here at NAHS. And I really enjoy being with you, you're such a nice dog and all. So, I was wondering, if you're not already busy or anything, if you'd like to go to a special event with me on October 30th?

Is it the Black Cat Ball at Meson Sabika!? I thought you'd never ask! You know how much I love fine dining and auctions!

Oh, Bess, I'm so glad you want to go! I've been hoping and wishing you'd say yes! Did you know it's the largest fundraiser of the year for NAHS?

How could I say no!? Don't you know what a big Michael Heaton Band fan I am? Now I need to figure out what I'm going to wear!

Well, Celeste, our office manager, told me it's black tie optional. My friend Captain Jack lent me a sweet bow tie to wear! I'm going to call the shelter right now to buy our tickets! I hope lots of blog readers will too!

Meet Lenny and Mallie Boo!

What's up, dogs? Or, um, people ... My name is Lenny and I'm the resident goof ball here at NAHS. The staff was getting tired of always finding new ways to keep me entertained, so they've put me to work writing the blog. I didn't have to look far to decide who I should interview, in fact, I just had to look across the hallway. There sat a sweet little kitty named Mallie Boo that I knew I wanted to get to know better!

So, Mallie Boo, how did you end across the hall from me?

Well Lenny, somehow I got away from my previous family and ended up as a stray on the streets of Naperville. The nice people at Animal Control found me and transferred me here to NAHS in hopes of finding my forever home.

Ohhh, a forever home would be nice! What kind of home do you think you'd like?

I've been here for 5 months and I'm not sure why. I am a little bit more reserved than some other kitties who've gone home faster. I know there's a wonderful family who wants to take a chance on a shy kitty like me. It takes a while for me to warm up to someone but I know I will make a great companion cat.

What kind of things do you like to do in your free time?

I'm a big people watcher! I like lounging around and watching reality tv but my favorite tv show is Beverly Hills 90210 since it takes place near my namesake, Malibu! I hope to have my own reality show one day!

Thanks, Mallie Boo, I sure do hope this interview helps you get adopted!

Office Kitties

Hello again, fans! Cinder here again. While I was lounging on a desk, thinking about how I should interview for my next post, two of my good friends came over to see what I was doing. I seized the opportunity to interview my fellow office mates, Arnold Pawmer and Meowsers. When I'm not too busy being a reporter, the three of us enjoy spending lazy afternoons lounging in the sun and greeting potential adopters. I hope you enjoy my first dual interview with Meowsers and Arnold Pawmer!


I'll start with you Meowsers, how'd you find your way to NAHS?

Hi there Cinder! Well, I was transferred to NAHS from another shelter who found me when I was just a kitten. Because I'm a little black kitty, a lot of people over look me and choose somebody with flashier colors or a little younger. I hope somebody comes to take me home soon, because I love people! Plus I'm the perfect size (I'm a bit petite) and I'm only a year old!

What kind of family would you like, Meowsers?

Well, I can be a little bit shy with new people, so a home on the quieter side would be nice. I've never lived with kids, but I think I would like to as long as they aren't very tiny. I hear school age kids would be perfect for me! I don't mind other cats (obviously, since I spend so much time with you and Arnold) and so far, I think most dogs are okay. Really, I'm just hoping for a calm, loving family who give me lots of attention and be patient with me while I'm settling in. Oh, and the sooner they can adopt me, the better - I'm getting tired of being confused with the two of you!

Thanks, Meowsers. Let's move on to Arnold Pawmer for a moment. Arnold, what brings you to NAHS?

It's kind of a painful story for me, but because we're such good friends, I don't mind telling you. I lived with a great family for seven years. They gave me lots of love, and spoiled me with snuggly beds and an occasional cat nip treat. Then my family had to move and couldn't take me with. They knew NAHS would work hard to find me a new family, so they made the tough decision to bring me here. I like it here at the shelter, but I do miss living in a real home.

Do you have any preferences for a new family?

Well, if they were golf fans, that would be a big plus, but I like all people, even those who don't golf! I enjoy the company of other cats and don't mind calm dogs. I also like kids, as long as they don't poke me or pull on my tail. Like Meowsers, I'm hoping kids in my new family are a little bit older and not rough players. Most importantly, I just want a family that will love me and give me a sunny window to enjoy!

Thanks, friends, I hope a lot of readers will come in soon to visit all of us.

Don't forget, Arnold Pawmer, Meowsers, and me (Cinder) all live in the NAHS lobby and spend our days helping with various office tasks. You can visit us anytime!

Feline Frenzy!

Hi, it's me Cinder again!

Kitten season is in full swing at NAHS! I'd like to tell you about our new promotion called Feline Frenzy. Until July 31, an approved adopter can take home any pair of kittens for $175, which is the normal adoption fee for just one kitten.

The adoption room is full of kittens, plus more in our foster homes and on our waiting list. Hopefully Feline Frenzy will encourage those thinking about adopting to actually pursue it!

Kittens are a lot of work but bring so much love to your home! Check out two NAHS alumni who recently found homes of their own:



At NAHS all kittens have received an initial vet exam, age-appropriate vaccinations, and a microchip. The kittens are FeLV/FIV negative and are spayed or neutered before going home.

Visit our website for more information on adopting!

Chips Takes On the Big Apple

The staff and animals at NAHS are happy to announce that Chips has gone off to New York! A great group of animal lovers who are part of Catahoula Rescue, Inc offered to take Chips under their wing and find him a Catahoula loving family. Jennifer Cotner, the NAHS Lead Animal Care Technician, drove six hours to meet a representative from Catahoula Rescue in Ohio. From there, Chips headed off to New York. We're hoping he sends us an update soon, but it sounds like he may be having too much fun playing with his new Catahoula buddies to write. Good luck, Chips! We're happy for your new opportunity but we can't help but miss your goofy antics here!
The picture is of Jen saying good-bye to Chips before sending him off on his great adventure.

Hello again friends! I hope you've had a good week. I was looking for somebody to interview, and decided that my buddy Toby would be the perfect dog for the job. He's handsome, playful, smart and most importantly, he loves to talk. We met over waffles and peanut butter this morning so I could get to know him better.

Toby came to NAHS on May 12th and has been living it up ever since. He's a 4 year old white and brown American Staffordshire Terrier mix who loves to play. He was brought to the shelter because he was too active for his family and they thought he would do better with a family that had more time for him. He sure does love to play, but he's full of love and enjoys the company of people and his lady dog friends.

So, without further ado, let's meet Toby!

Tell us, Toby, what do you think of being at NAHS?

Well, everyone is really nice to me here. They walk me, feed me, pet me, give me treats and let me play with other dogs. I feel very well taken of. It's nice and all but I'm really looking forward to being in a home environment and relaxing. It's really no place for a snuggly, wiggly guy like me.

What kind of home would you like to find yourself in?

Well I can live with other dogs but I'm only a fan of female dogs. I'm quite the ladies man. No cats for me tho. I can also live with older kids over the age of 12. I'm very active so I'll need someone to keep up with me. I love laying on a couch. I'm very excited when my family comes home. I love walks and I'm a huge fan of car rides.

I hear you enjoy playtime with some of the other dogs here. Tell us about your canine friends at NAHS!

Like I said, I'm a huge fan of the ladies! One of my favorite playmates was Wilma who was adopted last week. I love running and playing in the outdoor run with them. We have a blast!

If you could be any animal besides a dog, what would you be and why?

Since I love being so active, I think I'd love to be monkey in the jungle!

Thanks for the interview, Toby. I hope it helps you find a forever home fast, now let's get back to these waffles!

Chips Ahoy!

Hi! I'm Chips! Do I look familiar? Maybe it's because I was profiled on the blog a few weeks ago. As you may have heard, our resident reporter cat Prowler was adopted by a wonderful family last week. It was a whirlwind departure and right before he left, he text messaged me to ask me if I'd take over for him as the blog reporter. "Oui, tout à fait!," I replied. (Yes, I speak French.) He gave me a crash-course on how to use the internet so here I am blogging on his behalf.

As my first assignment, I'd like to introduce you to my pal Bentley. He's a suave 1 year old tabby cat who's been here for 3 months. We met over a late lunch on a drizzly spring afternoon. He ordered the Salmon and Egg Soufflé with Pacific Shrimp and Garden Greens. I opted for a Gourmet Beef Entrée with Potatoes and Rice. Over lunch and water, we chatted it up about our backgrounds, the shelter life and how awesome I look in my reporter uniform.

Bentley. Tell me. How did you end up at NAHS?

I have no idea how I ended up at NAHS! One day I was in a warm, snuggly home and then the next thing I remember is wandering around the cold streets of Naperville, looking for my family. Luckily the lovely ladies from Naperville Animal Control took me in and kept me safe and warm. When they felt confident my family wasn't coming for me, they sent me over here to NAHS where I have been meowing for playtime ever since!

Where do you see yourself in 6 months?

Well, I either see myself as an extreme BMX biker and/or skateboarder but if that doesn't happen, I really want to find myself a family to call my own. I'd love a home that I can explore, chase dust bunnies and romp around in. As I'm sure you can tell, I have a lot of energy and I need to find a way to get it all out!

What's the typical "Bentley day" like?

There is no "typical" day in the life of a cat like me! I look for fun and adventure in everything I do. I suppose you can assume that at any given time I'm trying to decide what I can play with, what trouble I can get into, and how I can charm the people around me into not getting mad!

At this point we toasted waters and ordered treats for dessert...

What kind of family are you looking for?

I am looking for a family that can keep up with me! I'll be honest, I'm not a cuddle in your lap and purr kind of kitty, I'm a crawl up your leg and play with your hair kind of guy! I absolutely love to play and explore. I need a family that will appreciate my independence and won't take it personally when I give a little 'love bite' to let you know I'm through with being petted. Any kids in my new home should be a little older, like I said, I prefer to play rough. And I'm awfully picky about being friends with other animals, so I just might do best in a one pet sort of place.

Finally, don't I look awesome in my reporter uniform?
Yes.