Following the tragic fire at Happy Cat Sanctuary and the death of the organization’s founder and president, Chris Arsenault, on March 31, 2025, a series of disturbing allegations—accompanied by horrific imagery—has emerged from the warehouse established as part of the rescue efforts, as well as other locations associated with Happy Cat Sanctuary.

Under the supervision of Lisa Jaeger and Marilyn Gales, who have assumed control of the organization and the care of its cats, images have surfaced depicting animals being mistreated and mishandled, as well as suffering from varying degrees of illness. Most recently, a video emerged showing a cat alone and seizing in its cage within the warehouse.

Allegations of inadequate medical care, unaddressed pre-existing conditions, and the improper placement of feral cats have all come to light—painting a picture of a now dangerous, unethical, and mismanaged rescue effort.

We, the undersigned, are a coalition of concerned and compassionate citizens who call for the following:

1. Lisa Jaeger must immediately step away from all involvement with the current incarnation of Happy Cat Sanctuary—whether in a volunteer or official capacity—and turn over all funds raised on behalf of Happy Cat Sanctuary under her personal name or through her rescue, Jaeger’s Run.
   1. Lisa Jaeger has repeatedly demonstrated, through volatile behavior and a lack of competence in managing feral cats, that she is unfit to interact with the compromised and vulnerable animals of Happy Cat Sanctuary or make decisions regarding their care.
   2. There is video evidence of Lisa Jaeger verbally expressing a lack of concern for the safety and well-being of cats being removed from the upstate sanctuary. In one instance, she is heard suggesting that cats be stacked “three high” in carriers within a transport van—a dangerous and irresponsible arrangement that jeopardizes the animals’ safety.
   3. Lisa Jaeger has a history of allegedly euthanizing animals for treatable or non-life threatening conditions such as dental disease and feline immunodeficiency virus. Allegations also suggest she has denied veterinary care to animals suffering from manageable and treatable conditions such as dental disease.
2. All critically ill animals are to be hospitalized immediately in an appropriate critical care setting.
   1. This includes animals suffering from chronic or unresponsive conditions such as upper respiratory infections, viruses, feline lower urinary tract disease, prolonged inappetence, or other stress-induced complications.
3. Comprehensive diagnostic testing, including full-panel blood work, must be performed on all sick or injured animals.
   1. Concerns have been raised about animals allegedly being misdiagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), leading to inappropriate treatment and delayed care for other, as-yet undiagnosed conditions.
4. All pre-existing conditions must be adequately addressed to ensure the animals' quality of life, including necessary dental procedures.
5. Proof of all veterinary treatments must be provided, including hospitalization records and invoices.
6. PCR testing for FIV and FeLV is required for all cats.
7. Fecal testing should be conducted for every animal.
8. Transparency measures must be enacted immediately.
   
   1. All social media accounts managed by the current leadership of Happy Cat Sanctuary must be updated regularly.
   2. All adoptions and transfers to other rescues must be publicly disclosed.
   3. Progress reports on sick or recovering animals should be shared.
9. A complete database of all cats rescued following the fire must be made publicly available. This database should include photos, medical status, and the current location of each cat—including those transferred to other rescues or shelters.
   1. Despite public assurances, this database has not yet been made available over two months after the fire. Individuals and rescuers who surrendered cats to Chris Arsenault are still searching for those animals. They deserve peace of mind—confirmation of whether their cats survived and where they are now.
   2. Finally, the public has a right to know how many cats are, or were, under the care of the current leadership of Happy Cat Sanctuary.

Before the individuals involved with the current incarnation of Happy Cat Sanctuary claim that these requests are outlandish, unrealistic, or none of the public’s concern, we, the undersigned, wish to remind them that their operation is funded almost entirely by the generosity of individuals from around the world. These donors contributed willingly to various fundraisers with the understanding that the funds would be used for the care of the surviving cats and the construction of the upstate sanctuary.

Following the removal of all cats from the upstate sanctuary, it has become evident that donors were misled and that these funds may have been raised under false pretenses. We believe it is imperative to ensure that this pattern does not continue.

For this reason, we maintain that the public not only deserves to be informed about the daily welfare and care of the animals currently under the stewardship of the present leadership at Happy Cat Sanctuary—they are entitled to it.