Happy Cat Donor & Animal Accountability

In Memory of Christopher Arsenault

Christopher Arsenault dedicated years of his life to rescuing and caring for cats through Happy Cat Sanctuary. Many people supported the sanctuary because they believed in that mission and entrusted animals or donated funds for their care.

This site is intended to respectfully advocate for transparency, accountability, and answers regarding animals entrusted to the organization following the March 31, 2025 fire.

Related Litigation

Happy Cat, Inc. v. Kristen Arsenault et al.
Montgomery County Supreme Court
Index No. EF2025-611

This website is for informational and advocacy purposes only. It is not legal advice.

Know What You Can Do

Rights of Donors & Animal Entrusters

Ask Questions

You may ask how donated funds were used and request information about animals entrusted to the sanctuary.

Document Concerns

Keep donation receipts, intake documents, emails, messages, screenshots, photos, and timelines of communication attempts.

Contact Regulators

You may contact the New York State Attorney General Charities Bureau to request review of nonprofit accountability concerns.

Core Concerns Reported by Donors & Former Owners

Lack of meaningful updates regarding cats after the March 31, 2025 fire.
Uncertainty regarding which cats survived, perished, transferred, fostered, or were adopted.
Unanswered communications from people who entrusted cats or donated funds.
Questions regarding recordkeeping, transfer logs, veterinary records, and charitable accountability.
Reports that certain facility access may require confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements.

You Do Not Need Permission To

Submit concerns to government regulators.
Provide documentation to the Attorney General.
Request transparency regarding charitable operations.
Ask that animals entrusted to the organization be accounted for.
Request review of nonprofit governance and charitable oversight concerns.

Where to Send Concerns

Contact the New York Attorney General Charities Bureau

Mail

New York State Attorney General
Charities Bureau
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Email

Nathan.Courtney@ag.ny.gov
Letitia.James@ag.ny.gov

Phone

518-776-2151

Build a Strong Complaint

Helpful Documentation

Animal Records

Cat name and description
Photos
Microchip records
Veterinary records
Intake or surrender documents

Donation Records

GoFundMe receipts
Checks or payment records
Emails confirming donations
Lifetime care payments

Communication Timeline

Dates of unanswered requests
Emails and texts
Social media messages
Screenshots of public posts

Suggested Timeline Summary

Before March 31, 2025: Individuals donated funds, paid for care, or entrusted cats to Happy Cat based on sanctuary-care representations.

March 31, 2025: Fire at the sanctuary and death of Christopher Arsenault.

After the fire: Public fundraising reportedly raised substantial funds for cats and sanctuary-related needs.

Ongoing concern: Donors and former owners report limited or no meaningful updates regarding the status, location, and care of cats.

Sample Letter to the Attorney General

Copy, customize, and submit this with your own facts and documentation.

[DATE]

New York State Attorney General
Charities Bureau
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Re: Request for Review Regarding Happy Cat, Inc.
Related Litigation: Happy Cat, Inc. v. Kristen Arsenault et al.
Montgomery County Supreme Court
Index No. EF2025-611

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to respectfully request review regarding Happy Cat, Inc., its handling of animals entrusted to the organization, and the lack of transparency regarding the status and whereabouts of cats following the March 31, 2025 fire.

I [donated to Happy Cat / entrusted my cat to Happy Cat / paid for sanctuary care] on or about [DATE]. My cat’s name and identifying information are: [CAT NAME / DESCRIPTION / MICROCHIP IF AVAILABLE].

Since the fire and subsequent litigation involving the organization, I have been unable to obtain reliable information regarding:

- whether my cat is alive;
- where my cat is currently located;
- whether my cat was transferred, adopted, fostered, or otherwise relocated;
- whether veterinary care has been provided;
- and whether records regarding these animals are being properly maintained.

I have attempted to contact the organization and/or associated individuals on the following dates:

[LIST DATES / COMMUNICATION ATTEMPTS]

I have [received no response / received incomplete information / received conflicting information].

I am additionally concerned because substantial public fundraising reportedly occurred following the fire, many donors and former owners report receiving little or no meaningful updates, and there appears to be a lack of transparency regarding the animals entrusted to the organization.

I respectfully request that the Charities Bureau review whether:

1. Proper intake, veterinary, transfer, foster, adoption, and disposition records are being maintained;
2. Animals entrusted to the organization can be properly accounted for;
3. Charitable donations solicited for the cats’ care and relocation are being used consistently with donor representations and charitable purposes;
4. Affected individuals are entitled to information concerning animals they entrusted to the organization;
5. Adequate governance, oversight, and recordkeeping procedures currently exist.

Attached are copies of any supporting documentation available to me, including donation receipts, surrender/intake records, emails/messages, screenshots, photographs, veterinary records, and records of unanswered inquiries.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

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Donor & Animal Entruster Rights

Donor and animal entruster rights poster

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Contact the Attorney General