Heavenly Paws Animal Shelter, Inc.

Heavenly Paws Animal Rescue, Inc. is a 501 (c) non-profit, all-volunteer, no-kill feline rescue based out of York County, PA.

Heavenly Paws began in June 2004 by Angeline R. Behrendt.  Mrs. Behrendt is trained as a Veterinary Technician and has provided care for sick, injured, and homeless animals for many years in her home.  She founded the shelter in 2004 to expand her services and to provide safe and secure homes for more cats.Heavenly Paws is not a true brick and mortar shelter. We have a network of foster homes to care for the cats until permanent, loving homes can be found; offering a second chance of a lifetime of love and happiness. We also strive to help humans understand the importance of controlling the pet population through spaying and neutering.

Heavenly Paws relies on private and corporate donations to help fund our rescue operations and accomplish our mission. We do not receive any government funding and no one in our organization receives any of the money that comes into our organization. All funds are used to properly operate the rescue and provide housing, treatment, and vet care for our cats and kittens. Sadly, due to circumstances beyond our control, not all of them make it, but every effort is made. We have treated and saved numerous cases of distemper, as well as other serious health problems, illnesses, injuries, and some of the most severe cases of neglect and abuse. All our volunteers are committed to make every effort to rescue as many cats and kittens off the streets as possible, provided that we have the space and funding. We take in cats and kittens, that if taken to other facilities would be euthanized without making any effort which is why we cannot take owner surrendered pets.There are thousands of animal rescue organizations, all working for the same purpose. We hope through our efforts, we will make at least a small difference, and save a few lives with proper care in the process. With your support, we can continue to accomplish this mission. Since our inception in 2004, Heavenly Paws has rescued, rehabbed and found loving, forever homes for over 500 cats each year with our numbers growing yearly.

Our rescue numbers have been increasing since 2021:

2021 - 560 cats

2022 - 866 cats

2023 - 919 cats

2024 - 1,231 cats

2025 - Over 1,000 cats

Our veterinary and supply expenses have been EXTREMELY high (15k to 20k per month) ever since 2022. We truly appreciate all support we receive.