Hearthside Cats, Inc. was formed in June of 1991 and became incorporated in October of that year. We achieved tax exempt status in February of 1992 and have placed over 1,500 homeless cats and kittens in loving homes since.

Hearthside Cats, Inc. is an organization of volunteers dedicated to the advocacy of homeless cats and kittens in Livingston County. Our main purposes are to:

• Aid homeless cats by obtaining both veterinary and foster care.
• Increase public awareness of homeless cats through special events.
• Promote responsible cat ownership through education.

• We believe in the natural dignity of the cat.
• Hearthside works to provide each cat in our care with the essentials of contentment as well as the hope of a secure and loving home.
• We believe that progress toward solving the cat overpopulation problem lies in the acceptance by the whole community of the need to spay and neuter.
• We believe that through continued education and conscienceness-riasing that the plight of homeless cats and kittens in our area will be brought to the forefront.
• Hearthside has a no-kill policy, and will not euthanize a cat except for cases of extreme pain or suffering.
• A Hearthside cat will never be homeless again - once a Hearthside cat, always a Hearthside cat.

Hearthside Cats' ultimate objective is to establish a stand alone shelter. This will allow the organization to more adequately meet its mission to care for homeless cats awaiting adoption, significantly reduce the number of cats in foster homes, and make it easier to obtain funding for ongoing operations.

The shelter will most likely be located in Geneseo, Conesus or Groveland, and consist of a new or refurbished 3,000 square-ft building. The design will accommodate up to 50 cats and include individual/group rooms, play equipment, ramps, reception and office area, "adoption" room, and rooms for quarantine, treatment, and education. Seventy-five percent of capital and operating income will be derived from grants and the remaining twenty-five percent will come from local sources and fund raisers. For more information on Hearthside’s master plan or to assist in shelter planning or funding, call (585) 243-0873.