After Tragic Loss Of His Son, Man Opens Cat Sanctuary For 300 Cats
Long Island has no shortage of stray and feral cats, but one grieving father turned that reality into something far more personal. After losing his 24-year-old son in a motorcycle accident, Chris Arsenault found himself leaning into the one thing that still brought him comfort: caring for cats.
What started as a way to cope slowly became a full-scale rescue effort, and eventually a sanctuary for hundreds of animals in need. On a place where loss and healing collided, Arsenault built something that gave abandoned cats a second chance, and gave himself one too.
Now the sanctuary has become a remarkable story of grief, love, and a whole lot of cats.
After the tragic loss of his son, Eric, Chris quite literally stumbled upon a colony of 30 sick cats and kittens. The small colony was living outdoors near his neighborhood.
The now massive sanctuary includes a main shelter, a big open yard with specialty-built fences designed to keep the cats from climbing out. In addition, there are numerous cat lounges with heaters, air conditioners, and fountains!
In an interview with The Dodo, Chris said the cat count is up to 300, but it's not overcrowded:
It’s so big that even if a cat isn’t that fond of others’ company, he can claim whichever area he likes as his own.
The most important thing to me is that they’re comfortable and that everything is kept clean.
In the first few years of the sanctuary's life, Arsenault says he was caring for nearly 70 cats at a time. The cats come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some of them were able to be adopted out, but others were "semi-feral," which meant they weren't what one would consider "pet material." At the same time, being semi-feral meant the cats couldn't survive on their own the way a true feral colony could because they depended on humans for food.
It also echoes the rescue cat who lost an eye and found a temporary home at a cat café.
Arsenault also said:
Most were saved from the streets or brought in from hoarding situations. A very small percentage of our cats are owner surrenders, but it does happen.
Other kitties were rescued from even more traumatic backgrounds, including being used as bait in dog fighting rings. Despite the trauma, The Happy Cat Sanctuary gives freedom to these cats. They can safely "roam, scratch, lounge, and climb."
Their website also states:
All cats are neutered, have access to vet care, and are regularly brushed and given lots of love and attention.
Astonishingly, two years ago, an anonymous patron donated $200,000 to the sanctuary! Arsenault was able to go from caring for 70 cats to making huge renovations, expanding his facility to make room for more cats. Renovations that made room for the now booming 300 count. In addition to the awesome facilities mentioned earlier, the outside areas feature tree structures and hammocks for the cats.
Today, Arsenault has several employees who help care for the cats and a routine or schedule in place to keep things running smoothly.
Around 7 or 8 a.m. every day, Arsenault arrives at the facility. He begins cleaning out litter boxes and water dishes before proceeding to breakfast. Observing, you can clearly see the cats are accustomed to their daily routine. Arsenault says:
They get so excited when I come in in the mornings. We have a great system, and everybody waits very patiently.
The sanctuary isn't just for pampering and spoiling, either. There is also a medical ward to give any sick or injured cats the extra space and attention they need to recover.
Now, several years into the cat rescue and rehabilitation "business," Arsenault says he has taken in cats with all sorts of medical issues. Some have faced difficulties such as being poisoned or shot at by humans, while others may have been hit by a car or are suffering from feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
However, Arsenault does not turn cats away. While some cats may have a family out there awaiting the day they come together, plenty will have a forever home at his sanctuary:
When we take a cat in, I know there’s a chance that they may be here for the rest of their days... But that’s OK.
That's not all Arsenault and Happy Cat Sanctuary are doing, either. He also manages a “trap-neuter-return” program. The program has already significantly decreased feral cat populations throughout New York's Suffolk County, which we previously mentioned is overburdened. He said:
When we do get calls about kittens, I take them in until they’re adopted out. We work with All About Cats in Freeport to handle all of our adoptions.
Years deep into the sanctuary, Chris Arsenault has given a "safe haven" to thousands of cats who needed a free-range sanctuary life, and he has placed hundreds upon hundreds of homeless kittens and cats into forever homes with the purr-fect families.
When you love animals, it’s incredibly fulfilling. "The bond we create with animals can be transformative, providing both joy and purpose," says Dr. Mark Hyman, a functional medicine expert. "Establishing a sanctuary for animals is not just about shelter; it's about creating a nurturing environment where they can flourish." Providing them with a good life and a secure place to live is truly rewarding.
You can support and follow Happy Cat Sanctuary by visiting their website here.
Also, check out this awesome video of the Happy Cat Sanctuary in action!
You can also help with fundraising attempts by visiting the website of Suze Orman, financial advisor, who states, "Every act of kindness, no matter how small, can create a ripple effect that leads to significant change." Your contributions can make a meaningful impact on the lives of these cats and the sanctuary's mission.
Tragic twist after the cat sanctuary, see how Chris Arsenault died in a blaze trying to save cats.
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