Meet the Cats at Chicago’s No-Kill, Cage-Free, Eco-Friendly Cat Shelter

Cats from a few weeks to 20-years-old have found a home for as long as they need one at Harmony House for Cats

Shelter manager Jennifer Zameic pets The Cat Formerly Known As Prince, who is an FIV+ cat.

Almost 50 years ago, a group of animal lovers had a vision for a cat shelter that was not just a waiting room for cats looking for their forever home, but a home itself — for as long as the cats in their care need one. This vision first became the Animal Protective Association, and then became Harmony House for Cats, a no-kill, cage-free, eco-friendly shelter on Chicago’s West Side.

Walking into the shelter, the harmonious, homey nature of the space is immediately clear. Cat-inspired artwork covers the walls of the open room filled with comfy chairs where people can complete adoptions and ask questions. Moving down the hall, there are several cage-free rooms of different sizes with names like “Nirvana” and “Zen,” where cats live together with ample space for visitors to meet, play and spend time with them.

Each room at Harmony House has climbing structures, beds, scratching posts, toys and shelves for the cats to explore.

Harmony House has gone through several iterations at different locations in Chicago before landing at its current…