Eric Arsenault, Chris Arsenault’s son, was murdered in a motorbike accident, and he mourned like only a parent can. He decided he wanted to do something to commemorate his son’s memory and make a lasting difference in the lives of others in need. So when he learned about an abandoned cat colony, he made an incredible decision. He converted his home in Suffolk County, New York, into a permanent cat sanctuary.
Arsenault is a retired railroad engineer with a penchant for cats. He has converted his entire home into a happy place for cats and calls it, appropriately, Happy Cat Sanctuary. More than 300 cats have made it their home
He felt he had to act to save the colony of 30 sick kittens after he discovered them. He knew his child would respect his father’s decision to transform his home into a cat shelter.
The 56-year-old retiree had visions of what it would take to make all felines feel warm, cared for and loved. His genius created an enormous cat playground where the residents play, explore and become suitable as house cats for someone looking to adopt.
Arsenault saved the cat from starvation, poisoning, disease and abandonment, according to him. “We have rescued cats from horrific situations, abandoned homes, with various diseases. We have even rescued many cats from gangs trying to catch them for use as bait in the dog fighting ring.”
Arsenault saved the cat from starvation, poisoning, disease and abandonment, according to him. “We have rescued cats from horrific situations, abandoned homes, with various diseases. We have even rescued many cats from gangs trying to catch them for use as bait in the dog fighting ring.”
From towering, heated cat trees to cubby holes where the kitties can snuggle up and kitty doors that let them in and out of the house, the structures are not only cat-friendly but attractive as well. To keep them entertained, Arsenault has even built an area where the cats can watch chickens.
At Happy Cat Sanctuary, cats may do anything they want and receive food, housing, veterinary treatment, and, most importantly, loads of love and attention. The feeding expense for the feline population is around $1,000 per week. That is why the refuge relies on contributions to stay afloat. (Donations to Happy Cat Sanctuary are tax deductible because it is a 501(c) (3) charity.)
They always knows when it’s dinner time!
“Like clock work, waiting for wet food!”
The sanctuary was set up with structures, ramps, and perches, but they also created paths for all the cats to get their food, litter boxes, and water.
During the winter months, cats make their way into the house to stay warm. But if the cats decide to stay outside, there are heated structures to keep warm
Arsenault built in ways to easily clean the whole place, and it has twice passed ASPCA certification. Although there have never been any official complaints, his goal is to purchase some land and build an even bigger, better sanctuary.
Happy Cat Sanctuary takes the cats’ preferences into consideration, allowing those who want to come inside to find all kinds of shelves and trees to climb on. Cats that prefer to be outside are provided with heated spaces to keep warm.
Bedtime is when the cats all try to squeeze in Chris’ room to cuddle with him.
“It’s unconditional love, you know, the cats they just know that you’re helping them,” he told CBS NY.
