Hearts That Purr Feline Guardians

The Hearts That Purr Senior Citizens and Senior Kittizens program is a unique long-term foster care program that matches seniors living alone with adult cats who became homeless after their owner passed away or were no longer able to care for them due to serious health problems. Our program addresses the two most common reasons elderly persons give for why they choose not to adopt a companion animal even though it has been proven this would be beneficial to their physical and mental health. The most common reason is a concern about their own mortality and worry about predeceasing their pet. Secondly, is a concern about the cost of owning a pet which can be significant especially for seniors who live on a reduced income in their later years. Our program addresses these two concerns by retaining ownership of the cats. In the event a program participant passes away or is no longer able to care for the cat, it comes directly back to our sanctuary. Furthermore, we maintain responsibility for the cat through regular home visits which include food and litter delivery, as well as, veterinary expenses. All the Foster Parent must do is provide a loving and safe home for the cat.

Hearts That Purr specializes in the care of homeless senior felines. We understand that senior companion animals are the least likely group to find new homes and our program is intended to help lessen the burden or stigma of adopting senior felines. First, we ensure all senior felines are healthy and up-to-date on all necessary vet care, including dentals, prior to adoption in order to minimize future costs for the adopter. We also put more effort in pre-screening prospective adopters and their homes in order to ensure a good match of human-cat that will be most likely to result in a true "forever" home. We do not charge any adoption fee and require a 30-day foster period to help in this regard. Furthermore, we provide vet care assistance towards annual exams and vaccinations for the life of any adopted cat. Last, all adopted felines are automatically enrolled at no charge, in our Feline Guardian Program to ensure intake in the unfortunate event of an adopter's passing or illness. This helps lessen the worry many elder persons have regarding the possibility they may predecease a new companion feline, and make them more comfortable with the idea of adopting.