Ark Cat Sanctuary

I’ve been volunteering at Ark for about three years, so I know firsthand how extraordinary their work is. I also know how special their executive director, Sue Marue, is. Ark saves more cats than any other rescue I have ever seen. Whenever a cat in trouble needs a place to live, the answer at Ark has always been “yes” to taking in the cat. Sue lives onsite at the Sanctuary, and I don’t think she has gotten a full night’s sleep in over a decade. Sue is up all night caring for sick cats and kittens. She hand-feeds abandoned kittens every two hours. She is the most unwavering advocate for cats that I have ever encountered.

Sue’s entire life is completely dedicated to cat rescue. She loves cats and cats love her! I could never do all Sue does to ease the suffering of cats and kittens, so I am incredibly grateful that Sue and Ark are in this world! :)

I have adopted a total of three cats from Ark Cat Sanctuary: Fluff Muffin (white), Santa Bear (orange) and my foster fail named Dilly (black). My experience adopting through them was great and I appreciated the caution they took asking extensive questions to make sure I would be a good fit for these kitties. You can tell that not only the owner, but the employees really care about the cats and who is adopting them. Their adoption price is higher than other humane societies, but that's how it should be; if you can't afford an adoption fee, how can you afford proper veterinary care? Along with that, last time I checked, Ark Cat Sanctuary is not government funded, so all the money produced from adoptions/donations is put back in to saving more cats.

When I met the owner, Sue, at the sanctuary I got to hear her story. Sue, has dedicated her entire life to saving cats, and that shows in her work. Sue has told me that she will never turn someone away looking to give up their cats, because she wants to save them all. She is the most selfless person I know because of everything she has done for thousands of cats. Because of these reasons I will forever recommend Ark Cat Sanctuary for people looking to adopt or even to give up their cats.

I came in contact with Ark Cat Sanctuary after rescuing a pregnant, neighborhood stray kitty. She gave birth to seven kittens. Once the babies were old enough I reached out to Ark. I had concerns about finding them good homes in my little town. Would they receive proper medical care? Would they be spayed/neutered? Fed, Loved Etc etc.
A representative from Ark responded right away they agreed to help. The babies received their vaccines and had their spay/neuter done. The day they went to PetSmart was bittersweet but seeing those happy adoption pics is THE BEST! They're happy tears ������
I continued on to rescue and foster for the Ark. Together we saved a lot of kitty lives. The work they do for AZ cats is AMAZING! I'm so glad I found them!! I hope they can continue this work for years to come.

The Ark Cat Sanctuary is amazing. Their efforts to help cats live their healthiest, happiest life is making a difference. I volunteer for the organization and feel appreciated for my work there

My experience with Ark Cat Sanctuary began when I responded to a call for help asking for transportation for 19 cats who were going to be euthanized that day if not picked up. When I got to animal control, someone was there surrendering 5 more cats, I called to ask if I should take these additional cats and no one flinched. When cat’s lives were on the line, it wasn’t questioned whether or not Ark would help. Everyone dropped everything to make the situation work, I was amazed and in awe.

I have since decided to volunteer and foster with Ark and continue to be amazed. Medical care and shelter is provided to any cat, regardless of whether or not they will be adoptable. Hospice care is provided to cats in need, allowing them to pass comfortably with dignity.

The sanctuary has heated sheds and enclosures with large outdoor fenced in areas for community cats, an isolation ward to treat sick cats, specialized heated rooms with fenced in outdoor areas for permanent residents with medical issues, and a specialized kitten room, and more — truly a sanctuary for cats! I love everything about this wonderful organization.

I have been an active volunteer with Ark Cat Sanctuary for nearly 10 years. In that time we have helped hundreds and hundreds of neglected, abused, unwanted, and sick cats get the love and care they need. Those that end up being adoptable get a chance to find a new family of their own. Some who don't remain at the Sanctuary or in foster homes like mine. Ark takes in cats from all over northern AZ as well as partnering with some groups down in the valley when the need arises and we are in a position to take on such a project. Ark has been involved in rescuing several large hoards of neglected, sick, and abandoned cats. We work hard and never give up. Sometimes it is overwhelming but it is truly a labor of love.

A little over a month ago I found a cat with a very serious eye injury. I was unsure how to help. I reached out to the CEO of ARK and she immediately took the injured cat in for medical care. The commitment to the cat's well-being was clear as everyone worked tirelessly to aid his recovery. I was provided with updates and they attended to the cat's medical needs with care. The cat not only made a speedy recovery thanks to the dedication of the staff but also found a loving forever home post-recovery. I can't praise The Ark Cat Sanctuary enough for their outstanding compassion and work!

My husband and I adopted two kittens from the same litter back in October. They are brother & sister. We love them so much. What the Ark Cat Sanctuary does to help cats is just Spectacular! Below is a picture of Binx & Zoe. They turned a year old last month.

I adopted my cat Muffin from Ark Cat Sanctuary back in December 2020 during the pandemic when I was separated from my family due to health risks. I was in need of a friend, and I had never owned a cat before. The employees were super helpful, friendly, and answered any questions I had about being a first time cat mom. They made sure that I was a good fit for Muff - you can tell how much they care about the cats and their well-being when being adopted. I now have have Bubba as well, and I love them both so much! I could not recommend a better place to adopt from!

What started as one cat turned into two! My wife and myself stopped into PetSmart on a whim and to pet some kitties. My wife noticed one cat in particular. This cat seemed scared beyond belief she huddled in the back corner of her cage her name was Freya. That day we promised Freya that once we were settled we would adopt her and give her the home she deserved. It took us four months to get settled and get things taken care of. During those four months we would stop in and see if Freya was still there. We stopped in every two weeks and just stood at Freyas cage and she slowly started coming out of her shell it was many hours of my wife just resting her hand in her cage and Freya moved closer and closer each visit. Once we were ready the day came to go get Freya we were worried she would be gone. We arrived and she was meant to be ours, she was still there! Well my wife and myself had only planned to adopt her but I was thinking I didn't want Freya to be alone in a new place and thought she might like a friend to be with her. So, I was looking at the other kitties and thought well it can't just be me that likes whichever other kittie was decided on. In the end Freya had to like them too. So, the first cat was a Grey calico cat and I brought this cat to a neutral cage and Freya did not like that one! She growled and hissed. I took that as a big Ole NO! From Freya so strike one. The next cat was a beautiful white cat with blue eyes. Well that cat took a swipe at Freya so, strike two. I looked down on the bottom row and saw this big Tom cat. His name was Chico he weighed around 14 pounds. His sister had been adopted the day before and the lady said that he didn't really like his sister and after she was gone he was much more relaxed. I picked him up and took him to Freya. She sniffed the air and he walked right over to Freya and started washing her ears. It was a match! We learned that Freya came from a hoarding situation which explained why she was so timid. But then we were told about Chico and given a letter that his previous owner had written. Chico and his sister were thrown from a car on the highway and he ended up with a shattered pelvis and a fractured skull. Probably the saddest thing that I have ever read. Anyways, Chico was around 10 years old and he wasn't able to really jump and he walked like he was a little drunk. Chico and I became fast friends. He liked the same junk food that I did. McDonalds French Fries and Hashbrowns, Vanilla Wafer cookies and what kind of parent doesn't share with their child? We got both of them home and let them have a few days to explore their new home and after that Chico quickly became the mascot of two of the hotels at The Grand Canyon National Park. Freya was much happier to stay at home and Chico preferred to go see the canyon. The only problem was I did not want him to have to walk, you know with his injuries growing up so we got him a stroller. He loved his rides in his stroller. We had to stop at any bush that he was interested in so he could smell it. Many times Chico, my Wife, and myself took many walks to the rim of the canyon so he could watch sunset. Chico loved rides in the car. As he got older he started showing signs of Chronic Kidney Disease. My wife gave him his medicine each day. He had to have special flavored medicine (marshmellow) he loved it. We decided to go see a concert in Phoenix but neither my wife or myself trusted anyone to give him his medicine so he went with us. A friend of ours found out and she rented a pet friendly Air BnB so Chico could come along, he loved it. Its been a little over a year since Chico passed he is missed by many people. But if it was not for The Ark I would have never found my best friend it's thanks to them and Freya.

Sue from The Ark Cat Sanctuary works tirelessly and nonstop fornthe cats of Northern Arizona. She cares so much for them all. Below is a picture of Buddy which I adopted from the Ark. Sue was showing me all the cats and Buddy stuck his paw out and meowed at me. That was all it took. He lives walking on a leash. Sue also helped me when I took in a stray this past winter who turned out to be pregnant. Momma and the 2 orange kittens have been adopted out by the Ark to their forever homes. Baby girl is awaiting surgery once she is old enough which Sue is helping me arrange. All of the staff and volunteers with the Ark are awesome and work so hard. The Ark is a wonderful organization!

I have been volunteering and fostering for the Ark Cat Sanctuary for the last few years and am consistently impressed with how much they do to improve the lives of cats in need in Northern Arizona. They are constantly taking in cats with nowhere else to go (many have already been turned down by other shelters/rescues) and giving them the care, love and time they need to get them ready to adopt. The director Sue goes above and beyond every single day saving kittens and cats that need specialized care and attention. This tiny non-profit saves ~800 cats a year with no public funding and only a handful of employees. Thank you Ark Cat Sanctuary!!!

This is the organization I got my Sassafras from. They are amazing people doing great work. Sass has always been a healthy, social spitfire and is easily the greatest source of joy in my life. I appreciate them being selective in who they allow to adopt their cats, Flag is rife with cats struck by vehicles during the summer months, I completely understand them requiring owners to keep their cats indoors.

I wish I could save all the kitties out there, but I can’t, but I feel better knowing ARK is giving it a shot (and donate appropriately).

Sue Marue runs The Ark Cat Sanctuary and works tirelessly helping cats. The Ark is a well-deserving, hard-working 501(c)3 non-profit that can always use donations.

They spay and neuter every cat they rescue before putting them up for adoption. They spend thousands of dollars to get the sick ones well. They fight hard to save lives every single day.