Daughter Of Long Island Cat Sanctuary Files Complaint Over Non-Profit: AG

LONG ISLAND, NY — The daughter of the founder of a Long Island cat sanctuary founder, who died in a tragic blaze there, last month, has filed a complaint with state Attorney General Letitia James' office, a spokesperson confirmed for Patch on Thursday.

Kristen Arsenault, the daughter of Chris Arsenault, who rescuers say died trying to save his beloved cats at Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford on March 31, is questioning how the non-profit that he left behind is being run, according to a news release signed by her and posted to the sanctuary's Facebook page on Monday.

Patch has reached out to her for comment.

In her news release, she says that she was left in charge of an irrevocable trust drawn up in 2023 to protect his assets, including the sanctuary and to ensure that the cats there would be cares for in an ethical way.

She says that she is the sole trustee and has the legal and fiduciary authority to carry out her father's intentions, but that since his death, a "number of" people have come forward claiming to have the authority over finances, animal placement, and public communications "without legal validation or organizational history."

"These actions are not only unauthorized — they are deeply harmful and misleading," she adds.

She has "acted in good faith" and requested documentation regarding their authority, as well as an accounting of the cats.

In addition, to her complaint with the AG's office, Arsenault has also asked that GoFundMe place a hold on the distributed funds, as well as "initiated legal proceedings," she says in her news release.

Arsenault's news release does not identify anyone.

A news release from Steven Stutman, a Melville attorney representing Happy Cat's board of directors, acknowledged "the public allegations" made by Arsenault and denied them.

"It is important to clarify her role in relation to Happy Cat, Inc.," he wrote, adding that she serves as the Trustee of the Christopher Arsenault Irrevocable Trust of 2023 with the sole asset as the real property "where the tragic fire occurred."

Happy Cat, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation, and by definition it cannot be owned, or be an asset of any trust, nor can it be an asset of any third party, according to Stutman.

"Consequently, Ms. Arsenault has no fiduciary relationship with, or duty to, this not-for-profit organization," he said.

"The Board of Directors of Happy Cat is acting in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, the by-laws, and the Not-for-Profit Law of New York State," he said. "Its goal is to safeguard the sanctuary's assets and to continue to fulfill Christopher Arsenault's lifelong vision. The fundraising proceeds are safe and remain intact."

"While we admire Ms. Arsenault's desire to further her father's dream, her actions are detrimental to the mission of Happy Cat, Inc. and disruptive to the ongoing rescue process," he added.

In addition to Christopher Arsenault, 64, more than 100 cats perished in the flames, and were later found in the rubble.

Multiple factors contributed to the rapid spread and growth of the blaze, including combustible materials and access points for the felines, according to Brookhaven Town Fire Marshal Christopher Mehrman.

So far, more than $830,000 has been raised on GoFundMe for the sanctuary to continue his life's work.

Christopher Arsenault turned to animal rescue after coming across kittens that needed care around the time of a motorcycle crash claimed the life of his son.

He had plans to move the sanctuary upstate.