About Us

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Our Mission

HART is a volunteer service organization and no-kill shelter with a threefold mission: Rescuing and caring for kittens and cats in need; Placing cats and kittens in caring, permanent homes; and Reducing feline overpopulation with an active spay/neuter program for HART’s felines and a trap-neuter-return-manage (TNRM) program for feral cats.

HART is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Federal ID 77-0018508) established in February 1983.
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PHILOSOPHY

We are committed to ensuring quality of life to all living creatures, both feral and domestic.

HISTORY

Founded in 1983, HART began with a small core of volunteers who fostered animals in their own homes. In 2000, the group rented a former veterinarian’s office and consolidated its rescue operations, allowing the organization to expand its services to the greater Cambria community. HART purchased the current shelter, located at 2638 Main Street, in 2012.

FACILITY

To take a video tour of our facility and meet some of our residents click on the video below.

HART Shelter Tour - Cambria, CA

Enjoy a video tour of the Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART)shelter, in Cambria, CA. HART is a non-profit, no-kill and cage-free animal shelter. Please come and visit some time. Learn more about HART at www.slohart.org

SERVICES

HART is a local animal rescue organization that serves the communities of Cambria, San Simeon, and Harmony in San Luis Obispo (SLO) county.  While we currently focus on felines, we will assist with any animal in need.
 
  • Rescue and Adoption: During its three-plus decades, HART has placed thousands of homeless animals in permanent homes through adoption and foster programs. Our group of dedicated volunteers, the Homeless Animal Rescue Team, focuses on two primary goals: 1) ensuring the well-being of the animals we rescue and care for; and 2) placing them in permanent, caring homes.
 
  • Spay/Neuter and Microchip: All cats taken in by HART are spayed or neutered, a major component in reducing the local pet overpopulation and attendant euthanasia rates. Microchipping facilitates return-to-owner successes for lost animals and decreases the number of stray, homeless animals.
 
  • Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): HART is committed to continuing its success in reducing the number of local feral cats. Trapped animals are spayed or neutered and returned to their colonies, where they receive compassionate care as declining birth rates gradually decrease their numbers.
 
  • Seniors for Seniors: Senior people, 62 years or older, and senior cats, eight years or older, often make perfect companions. This adoption program matches senior citizens with senior "kitizens" and offers a reduced fee bonus.
 
  • Guardian Angel Program: GA provides additional funds for non-routine medical expenses for HART’s felines. GA is a restricted fund limited exclusively to covering medical costs. The GA program saves lives, ensures that cats and kittens are healthy and pain free, and improves their chances of finding good homes.
 
  • Surrendering a Pet: We understand that giving up your pet cat or kitten can be a difficult decision. Our staff and volunteers at HART are here to help. If you are a local resident and have determined that you must surrender your cat or kitten, please call or email HART to request an appointment to discuss your options. While we cannot guarantee we will be able to accept your pet, we will do our best to assist you. HART asks for a minimal, relinquishment donation of $50.