Intake Policy
Happy Cats Haven is a limited-admission, no-kill shelter. We are a cage-free environment with a capacity of only 24-30 cats in our colonies at any given time. It is shelter policy that all cat owners planning to surrender their cat/kitten complete the HCH Intake Application and a brief interview with shelter staff.
Happy Cats Haven reserves the right to determine the admissibility of cats based on a verbal history, medical documentation, physical assessment and space availability
- Cats must test negative for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
- Cats must be socially adoptable
- Cats must be reasonably healthy and free of transmittable diseases and parasites
- Senior cats over 10 years old and other special needs cats will be taken on a case-by-case basis. Because they almost always require more veterinary care, our intake fees are higher for these cats
Surrenders must be made on an appointment basis. Cat owners who come to the shelter without an appointment will be provided with a Cat Intake Application and put on the waiting list if the guidelines are met.
We have a waiting list of at least 30 to 40 cats at any given time. Because we must depend on volunteers to conduct our virus testing in-house, it’s very helpful if your cat has already been tested. Although we try to get to everyone, healthy cats who have already been tested for FeLV/FIV with the Snap test and those who have had recent vet care (and the records to prove it) can be brought in more quickly. The most cost-effective places to have your cat Snap tested are Hamlett Spay & Neuter and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
Happy Cats Haven is a privately run, non-profit organization and reserves the right to refuse any intake that is not in the best interest of the shelter and its cats, based on our principles, policies, and standards.
If you are looking for a lost cat, please call to inquire at 719-635-5000.
If we have no room for your cat or kitten, we suggest that you contact one of the other local rescue organizations if we are full.
If you have outside cats that you need help with, please see our Feral Friends page for more information. The Humane Society also has a program for placing outside cats in barn homes called Barn Cat Buddies. You can call them at 719-302-8786.
$5 buys a 
$10 buys a 
$15 buys an 
$25 buys the Idexx SNAP test needed for each new intake OR a microchip to identify the cat or kitten for life.
$30 buys a 40 pound bag of 
$50 (on average) pays for a spay or neuter for each cat or kitten, stopping the cycle of suffering and death that comes from feline overpopulation.
$55 buys a 
$140 buys a 
$1700 buys a double condo similar to the ones we have for intakes for the singles cats who need to live in the reception area. These can be purchased in memoriam or in dedication for your animal friends.
4 comments
judy campbell
May 6, 2012 at 10:02 am (UTC -6)
I have a 3 yrs old female de-clawed and fix female cat, very lovable gets along with kids and other animals. I have to give her up due to grandsons asthma. Please help
happycat
May 6, 2012 at 8:04 pm (UTC -6)
Hello, Please go to our Intake tab and click on Cat Intake Application. You can fill it out and send it to us at office@happycatshaven.org so we can review it. Right now, we’re at least 2-3 months out on our wait list. Bringing cats in depends on who gets adopted out. Thanks
Jeremy Hill
September 18, 2012 at 10:32 am (UTC -6)
I just tried sending in a Intake Application twice and it wouldnt go through…the error that it came back with was 550 550 Mailbox quota exceeded (state 13). Are you still in business? Please email me a response
happycat
September 23, 2012 at 5:42 pm (UTC -6)
Yes we are. Sorry the mailbox was full.