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EnglishWhat "Stray Hold in Shelter" Means at The Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven
Updated
"Stray Hold in Shelter" is a listing on The Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven's website that shows cats currently being held at the shelter as strays. These cats are not yet available for adoption — they are in a holding period, and the page is powered by Shelterluv, the shelter's animal-management software. If you are looking to adopt, you should check the shelter's adoptable cats page instead of the stray hold list.
Why a stray hold exists
When a cat arrives at the shelter as a stray, the shelter typically holds it for a period before making it available for adoption. The purpose is to give an owner time to reclaim a lost pet and to allow the shelter to assess the cat's health and temperament.
The Safe Haven's website does not state a specific hold length, so treat the hold as a status rather than a fixed countdown. What the page does tell you is which cats are physically in the shelter under that status right now.
What the page actually shows
The heading "Cats Currently on Stray Hold in Shelter" appears alongside a note that the page is powered by Shelterluv. In practice this means:
- The list is generated from the shelter's Shelterluv records, not hand-written.
- It reflects cats currently in the building on stray hold.
- It is separate from the shelter's adoptable cats, which are posted on Petfinder.
Because the list is tied to live shelter records, it can change as cats are reclaimed, moved to adoptable status, or leave the shelter.
Stray hold vs. adoptable: which page to use
| If you want to… | Use this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt a cat or kitten | The shelter's Petfinder page | Adoptable cats and kittens are posted there |
| See cats not yet available | The "Stray Hold in Shelter" list | These cats are still in a holding period |
| Start the adoption process | The online application | The shelter reviews it and emails you to book an appointment |
If a cat you saw on stray hold later becomes adoptable, it would move to the adoption listings — so it is worth checking back rather than assuming a stray-hold cat is permanently unavailable.
How to act on what you see
- Check the stray hold list to see whether a cat you are looking for might be in the shelter.
- Check the Petfinder listings for cats that are actually adoptable.
- If you want to adopt, fill out the online application first.
- Wait for the shelter to review your application and contact you by email to book an appointment.
The shelter states clearly: do not call, email, or show up without an appointment. Visits are by appointment only.
Hours and contact, for reference
Hours of operation are by appointment only:
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
General contact: [email protected]
Common points of confusion
- "Stray hold" is not the same as "available now." A cat on this list is in the shelter but not yet open for adoption.
- The list is not a waiting list. It reflects cats already in the shelter, not cats you can request.
- Several applications may come in for one cat. The shelter notes that a cat you are interested in may already have been adopted by the time you apply, and encourages you to look at other cats.
- Appointments are required. The shelter asks that you not call, email, or visit without one.
The Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven is a registered Canadian charity and animal welfare organization supported solely by donations, grants, and sponsorships, focused on saving homeless cats and kittens and helping pets stay in loving homes.