The Gifford Shelter is a cageless, no-kill facility founded in 1884 through the collaboration of philanthropist Ellen Gifford and prominent Bostonian Nathan Appleton. We are the oldest cageless, no-kill animal shelter in the United States! Mission Statement The mission of Gifford Cat Shelter is to provide a safe haven for abandoned, stray, abused, neglected, unwanted and injured cats with the goal of re-homing and ending the needless killing of community and companion cats.