Dear Cheryl -
 
Thanks for calling to let us know about the Cat Shows and the proceeds dedicated to the memory of Marge Collier and benefitting Cat Haven.  We really appreciate it.
 
We have received donations from people and organizations throughout the United States who want to remember Marge and show their respect and admiration for her lifelong dedication to cats and their betterment.  We are very grateful to Marge Collier, her daughter Marge Shank and her many friends for choosing to share her passion with Cat Haven.
 
Cat Haven was established in 1999 to help homeless and abandoned cats and kittens in the Baton Rouge area.  An early goal was to open a cat-only shelter to serve as transitional housing for cats on their way to permanent homes.  We were able to realize that goal when we purchased a building and renovated half of it for our Cat Haven Adoption Center, which opened on December 14, 2008.  We maintain a population of 100 - 130 cats and kittens at the Adoption Center and in foster homes.  The cats and kittens we care for either were found stray, were the unwanted offspring  of unspayed cats, had former owners who died or became incapacitated, or had former owners unable/unwilling to care for them because of other life circumstances. Many are used to a home environment and deserving of that second chance. Many have never experienced a home environment, but are sweet and loving companions to our Cat Haven caretaking staff and visitors. We try to provide a home-like environment with colony rooms instead of cages while they await their permanent homes.
 
Throughout the years, Cat Haven has found homes for over 6,000 cats and kittens.  We have also managed feral and low-income spay/neuter programs to "fix" over 6,000 more.
 
We are always in need of operating funds to help to pay for medical care, supplies and building expenses.  We also maintain a separate Medical Fund for cats who need extra care - for example, if a friendly,injured cat is found and it can go on to a full, healthy life with a reasonable amount of veterinary care or if a cat in our care is found to have a treatable illness like diabetes.
 
We are also planning to expand our ability to help cats in need by renovating the other half of our building.
 
As you can see, all of the donations that Cat Haven receives through the generosity of those who cared so deeply about Marge Collier will be put to good use to help protect the cats that she loved.
 
Thank you so much.

Wendy Decker