Loving care for the cat you leave behind.
The Feline Guardian Program
Peace of mind for you. A lifetime of love for your cat.
Have you ever wondered what would happen to your beloved cat if something happened to you? For many, a cat is not “just a pet” but a best friend, loyal companion, and family member. Even the most devoted cat parents often neglect to make a formal plan that ensures their cat will be loved and cared for, if something unfortunate happens to them—such as death or a serious illness that makes cat caregiving impossible.
Without such a plan or trusted person to step into your shoes, your cat’s future can quickly become uncertain. Sadly, many cats end up on the street or in overcrowded shelters, confused, grieving, and at risk of euthanasia simply because no one was prepared to take them in after their owner became ill or died.
The Hearts That Purr Feline Guardian Program offers a thoughtful and compassionate solution: a lifetime care agreement that ensures your cat will always be safe, loved, and well cared for, even after you are no longer there for them.
We believe our Hearts That Purr Feline Guardians Lifetime Care program is the finest sanctuary program anywhere. We adhere to the highest standards of care and require no upfront costs or enrollment fees.
What is a Feline Guardian?
Just as parents name a guardian for their children, thoughtful cat owners can name a Feline Guardian to ensure lifelong protection for their cat. From a legal standpoint, pets are considered personal property, not family members with rights. Once you are gone, your cat has no legal way to safeguard his or her own well-being. By enrolling in our program, you designate Hearts That Purr, a respected feline welfare, non-profit organization, as your cat’s guardian, guaranteeing that your cat will be protected and cherished for life, in accordance with your wishes.
How is Hearts That Purr different?
Hearts That Purr was created with a single mission: No cat should ever suffer, lose its home, or be euthanized simply because its owner passed away or entered a nursing home.
Our nuturing, feline-only sanctuary located in Tucson, Arizona is not a traditional shelter. It was designed specifically for lifetime care—spacious, calm, home-like, and enriching for senior cats. We have years of experience in feline wellness, and we know that many older or sensitive cats cannot endure the stress of typical shelter environments. Additionally, elder cats with medical needs may not receive the specialized care they require in such settings. Our sanctuary and care philosophy provides gentle transitions, quiet spaces, familiar comforts, and individualized attention to such cats, especially at a time in their lives when they may be most vulnerable.
Do you already have a plan for your cat? Make it better with a Backup Guardian.
Life happens and things may change. Promises may be broken. Our Feline Guardian program can offer your cat an additional layer of protection. Even those who already have Pet Trusts or other ongoing care arrangements often choose Hearts That Purr as a Backup Guardian to ensure continuity of cat care in case those original plans fall through. We can still be your experienced, loving and reliable partner dedicated solely to the well-being of your cat long after you are gone.
Enrolling your cat is easy! Here's how:
Are you a hospice patient interested in our Feline Guardian Program but have limited resources?
Tui's Legacy Gift fund may be able to help.
What happens when your beloved cat becomes our beloved cat?
It is truly our hope that your beloved cat will happily live out his or her life with you. However, should you fall ill or predecease your cat, we promise we will be ready to promptly step into your shoes and continue your love and the highest quality of care for the remainder of your cat's life. Should the unfortunate happen, your legal representative contacts us and we prepare welcoming accommodations for your cat. In the event you have not passed on but are seriously incapacitated and will no longer be able to care for your cat, our program allows for early intake with certain conditions. Additionally, while we are happy to assist, it is ultimately the responsibility of your legal representative to safely transport your cat to our sanctuary in Tucson, Arizona.
Upon arrival at our beautiful sanctuary home, your cat will settle into a private, cage-free guest room. We will schedule a complete veterinary exam as soon as possible. Using the information you provided in your Cat Dossier, we make every effort to ease this transition with familiar comforts and gentle reassurance. Each cat adjusts in their own time, surrounded by the kindness and understanding of our staff and volunteer caregivers.
We respect your cat's identity and history, and will never change his or her name. Favorite toys, treats, bedding, etc. may accompany cats who enter our care, and visitors are allowed. Your designated friends or family may received photos and updates, as well.
Some cats, particularly those who are very shy, elder or have chronic or terminal illness may remain at our sanctuary home for life, enjoying peace, affection, and enrichment. Others may thrive in one of our trusted long-term foster homes through our Senior Citizens & Senior Kittizens program, where Hearts That Purr retains legal ownership and is responsible for oversight of care, including all veterinary and other needs for the life of your cat.
We consider it an honor and a privilege when someone entrusts us with their beloved cat’s future. Every decision we make is guided by compassion and your cat’s best interests—just as you would do if you were here. When the time ultimately comes and your cat’s life draws to a close, we will ensure them comfort, dignity, and love. We vow that your cat will leave this world peacefully, never forgotten, and always cherished.
Does this sound like what you've been looking for? If so, please contact us and we'll be happy to chat about your cat, your needs, the cost and how Hearts That Purr Feline Guardians can help ensure your cat will never be homeless should anything happen to you. Click the link below to learn how easy it is to enroll your cat in our Feline Guardian program with no upfront fees.