HART’s mission
Our mission is to provide refuge, comfort, and comprehensive medical attention for all cats that have been surrendered, abandoned, injured, or abused–and to find appropriate community placements for them.
About HART
HART (Homeless Animal Rescue Team) of Maine, located in Cumberland, Maine, has been a safe haven for surrendered, abandoned, injured, and abused cats since 1997.
Our mission is to give every cat a chance at a better life by offering top-quality care and finding them loving homes within the community. As a no-kill shelter, we never turn away cats due to medical needs. Each cat receives vaccinations, a microchip, spaying or neutering, testing, and, when necessary, extensive medical treatments that can cost thousands of dollars.
HART operates primarily through the efforts of dedicated volunteers and the generosity of individual donors. Without public funding, we rely entirely on community support to care for hundreds of cats each year. Every dollar makes a difference in providing compassionate care and helping us achieve our mission.
Our custom-designed shelter, built in 2004, features an open environment that allows cats the freedom to run, play, and form bonds with each other. Cats at HART receive not only expert veterinary care but also abundant love and attention. We also provide services to individuals who can no longer care for their cats, ensuring that every feline has a safe place to call home.
HART is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation licensed by the State of Maine and is a proud member of the American Humane Association, the American Partnership for Pets, and the New England Federation of Humane Societies.
Every dollar makes a difference
in the lives of HART cats!
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of our income sources and how your generosity supports our mission to help as many cats as possible. Together, we can continue providing a safe refuge, comprehensive care, and loving homes for cats in need.
HART’s Sources of Income
How Your Contributions Help HART
Data based on figures from October 2023 to September 2024.
Adopt
Are you ready to bring a cat or kitten into your home?
Learn more about our adoption process, and how to meet our cats.
Support
We receive no public funding, and rely on the generosity of our community.
Learn more about the ways you can give to HART and donate today!
Volunteer
Do you love cats? Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that helps cats and our community?
Then consider volunteering with HART.
Foster
Help provide direct care for our cats in need by becoming a medical or kitten foster caregiver.
Learn more about getting involved in this vital service.
The HART Commitment
We commit to every cat that comes to HART that we will take the very best care of them until an appropriate home is found, no matter how long or short their stay is. Every cat is tested for FIV and leukemia, treated for parasites, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered. And this is only the beginning. Many cats, especially strays, need medication and treatment for illness or injury, in addition to the basics—food, litter, and shelter. Only the love lavished upon them by our caring staff and volunteers comes free of charge!
Once a HART cat, always a HART cat.
All HART cats and kittens have a lifelong safety net. No matter an owner’s circumstances or life changes, a HART cat is always a part of our family. We want every adoption to be for life, but sometimes situations change. Whether the adoption happened days, weeks, or years ago, if adopters can no longer keep their HART cat, we always take that cat back without questions. Additionally, our cats are microchipped with HART as a secondary contact, so if a HART cat becomes lost and contact with the owner is unsuccessful, HART can be contacted.