HART Programs
Shy Angels Socialization Program
The Shy Angels Socialization Team is a dedicated group of volunteers who work with HART’s most fearful and undersocialized cats. These are cats who may be frightened by people, overwhelmed by shelter life, or unsure how to interact with the world around them. Through patience, consistency, and positive experiences, our team helps these cats build confidence and learn that humans can be trusted.
Our team members are Fear Free Shelter certified and trained in low-stress handling and socialization techniques. We focus on creating positive experiences that reduce fear, build confidence, and allow each cat to progress at their own pace.
Progress looks different for every cat. Some begin seeking attention within weeks, while others may take months, or even years, to feel comfortable. Our goal is never to rush them, but to meet them where they are and help them move forward in a way that feels safe and supportive.
Because our shelter is small and our resources are limited, the Shy Angels program can only support a select number of cats at any given time. We encourage anyone struggling with a shy or fearful cat at home to first explore behavioral support and training resources, as cats often make the greatest progress when they can remain in a familiar environment.
If you have a shy or fearful cat at home, click here for recommended behavioral resources and tips that may help you better understand and support your cat's needs.*
*Please note that members of the Shy Angels Socialization Team are volunteers and are not veterinary behaviorists or behavioral professionals. While we are trained in Fear Free Shelter practices and feline socialization, we are unable to provide individualized behavior advice or treatment recommendations for cats outside of the HART program.
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Mommy and Me
HART’s Mommy & Me Program is a great resource for people who have a pregnant cat, or a new mom cat with kittens, who need our assistance.
HART will help care for the mother cat through birth and post-birth, help raise her kittens, and provide essential medical care to all. Then, we spay and neuter the kittens (and their mom!), find loving homes for the kittens, and return mommy to her family. In the end, everyone is happy and well cared for.
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The Burt Fund
In April 2019, a frightened stray named Burt arrived at HART. At first, he lashed out in fear, unsure of his new surroundings. With patience and care from our volunteers and staff, Burt slowly learned to trust and found comfort in people. Eventually, he was adopted into a loving home.
To honor his memory, Burt’s family asked us to create a fundraiser in his name. Together, we established The Burt Fund—a permanent source of support to provide medical care and resources for stray cats like Burt, helping them heal and find forever homes.
We couldn't do this without your help.
HART receives no public funding and is supported entirely by individual donors, foundations, and businesses, not to mention our committed group of volunteers. And, as you can imagine, the cost of providing long-term care for these cats adds up.
Therefore, we are calling on our community to help defray the costs required to ensure cats that come to HART are provided with the care they need to live long lives and bring joy to those families who will eventually welcome them into their homes.