About Us

Our Mission

Pet Haven Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (FEIN 23-7328137), and is Canyon Country’s first and oldest animal shelter. We are a limited admission, no-kill cat shelter and adoption center.

Our mission is to help cats find loving homes in our community, and promote the overall health and well-being of cats, both domestic and feral.

We do this by:

  • Providing a safe, clean, and loving shelter for cats that need forever homes.

  • Giving sick and injured cats who might otherwise be euthanized a chance to rehabilitate and become adoptable.

  • Spaying/neutering, vaccinating, and checking the health of every cat we adopt out.

  • Helping keep your cat healthy by offering low-cost services, vaccines, and medications.

  • Reducing overpopulation through low-cost spray and neuter services.

  • Taking in surrendered cats in need of rescue or new forever homes.

  • Promoting the love and responsible care of all cats by educating the public through advocacy and community outreach.

Because we receive no government funding and provide services at- or below-cost, we rely solely on donations, fundraising, and bequests from our supporters to keep going.

Our Story

Pet Haven was founded by Helen Wilson in 1972

Helen G. Wilson was only 10 years old when she opened her first dog hotel behind her house. She made sure that the stray dogs who came to the “hotel” were protected and taken care of.

At the age of 31, she became a college teacher at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa and because dogs could not live in the dormitory, she took in a stray cat on campus. During the next 14 years, she learned to love and appreciate cats, and took this love with her when she moved off campus.

In 1972, at age 58, she organized the first humane society in Canyon County. In the beginning, Canyon County Pet Haven (as it was then called) primarily housed dogs and boarded stray cats at willing veterinary clinics. In 1996, with the help of charitable contributions, we were able to purchase our own building, which now exclusively focuses on helping cats.

In 2021, we officially changed our name to Pet Haven Inc.

The Pet Haven Team

  • Board of Directors Executive Officers

    Nancy Smith
    President of the Board
    Treasurer
    Executive Director

    Al Koenig
    Vice-President

    DeeDee Smith
    Secretary

  • Pet Haven Leadership

    Jeannette Trachsel
    Shelter Operations Director
    Shelter Medical Manager
    Friendly Fixers Clinic Liason

    Shanna Jiggar
    Shelter Administrative Director
    Programs Manager
    Digital Operations Manager

    Brittany Sundell
    Developmental Manager

  • Pet Haven Staff

    Abby
    Shelter Supervisor
    Adoptions Coordinator

    Carter
    Lead Kennel Attendant

    Marlee
    Shelter Support
    Enrichment Program Assisting

    Erin
    Kennel Attendant

  • Key Volunteer Support

    Rob Trickey
    Leadership, Cat Enrichment Specialist, and Digital Support (and logo artist!)

    Maria Fox
    Reception, Social Media Assisting, and Nampa Farmer’s Market representative

    Christa van de Wall
    Seasoned Foster Mom and Public Neonatal Mentor, and Outreach Assisting

    Travis Cofer
    Pro-Bono IT Management and Administrative Assisting

Over the last 5 years we have adopted out over 2,000 cats to good homes.

Approximately 5,000 cats pass through our doors each year for some type of service, whether it be adoptions, spaying/neutering, vaccinations, surrenders, nail clipping, medications, or simply answering questions for concerned owners. We also provide off-site adoptions at PetSmart in Nampa. 

The need for our services increases yearly. To meet this demand and better serve our community and the cats in our care, we plan to purchase a bigger, better facility. If you are interested in helping us build a better future for the cats in Canyon County, please consider donating to our cause.