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Being Orphans Is For The Birds: Chickadee, Cockatoo And Sandpiper

Being Orphans Is For The Birds: Chickadee, Cockatoo And Sandpiper

Aug 8, 2018 | Happy Tails, I Held Out For My Hero

We all know that kitten season is a busy time for local shelters. But when a kitten needs extra medical attention they are especially at risk. Every spring our team leaps into action preparing the SAFE Care Clinic and SAFE Haven shelter for an influx of new arrivals. Unlike other local shelters, we have a unique ability to take in kitties who need a little extra TLC.

Our staff found three kittens in need of rescue from a partnering local county shelter. Although we were running low on kitten supplies, our team knew we were their only chance. They were covered in fleas and had severe diarrhea, but even as sick as they were, when they first arrived at SAFE Haven they immediately started nuzzling the medical team and purring. They knew they were in good hands and finally going to be safe. We named the three kittens, Chickadee, Cockatoo and Sandpiper.

Chickadee

Chickadee

Diarrhea can quickly cause dangerous dehydration in kittens, so we needed to address it right away. They were started on medication and a high caloric diet with lots of water. Within a few days, the diarrhea started to improve. Things were starting to look up for these kittens, but little did we know the battle wasn’t quite over.

Cockatoo

Cockatoo

After they were sent to foster they soon developed upper respiratory infections and had to return to the clinic. They were started on daily medical treatments. Medical Director Dr. Jennifer started treating them with daily fluids, injectable antibiotics and anti-nausea medications. Once the upper respiratory infections started to improve, they developed more GI complications, as if they hadn’t already experienced enough! The medical team never gave up and continued to treat the kittens until they fully recovered. In just a few weeks, all of their symptoms were resolved, and they were finally ready to live their healthy, normal kitten lives!

Sandpiper

Sandpiper

Despite all they had been through, with the medical treatments and illnesses, these three little babies were happy and snuggly the whole time! They greeted us each day with purring and nuzzling our hands! It was a long journey but worth all the hard work to see them happy and healthy now, ready for their forever homes!

Here at SAFE Haven for Cats we have the unique ability to rescue kittens in need of extra care. Help us help kittens like Chickadee, Cockatoo and Sandpiper! Become a monthly donor and help us give cats and kittens the care they deserve!

By Dr. Jennifer Bledsoe-Nix

Clear The Shelters: What To Bring, What To Expect

Clear The Shelters: What To Bring, What To Expect

Aug 7, 2018 | Events

WRAL Clear the Shelters Event 2018-08-18

By Pam Miller

Saturday, August 18 is Clear the Shelters – a nationwide event sponsored by NBC and its affiliates all across the United States. We are all united in one cause – to empty all our shelters of adoptable pets in one day!

SAFE Haven is one of the selected shelters and to find as many homes for stray cats as we can, all adoption fees will be waived for this one day only! We will also be opening at 10 am and staying open till 6 pm.

It is going to be a busy day. Here are some things you need to know.

  1. Prepare for the heat. We will only be able to allow a certain number of people in our shelter at a time. We have tents and chairs set up outside our shelter and are providing water throughout the day. We will also have free snacks and games for the kids.
  2. When you arrive, we will have volunteers on hand to help you fill out an adoption interest survey, answer your questions and get you in the “que” to visit the cats.
  3. You must be 21 years or older to adopt.
  4. Bring a plastic carrier if you have one. No cardboard carriers please. All cats must leave in a plastic carrier. We have them for sale also.
  5. The adoptions on Clear the Shelters day will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. But don’t worry – we have lots of wonderful cats available throughout the day.
  6. We cannot hold any cats/kittens on Clear the Shelters day. All adoptees must leave the shelter that day.
  7. Although we are waiving our adoption fees for Clear the Shelters, we do have cat toys and supplies available for purchase. In addition, we welcome your donations. We take cash, checks, and all major credit cards.
  8. The staff and volunteers at SAFE Haven for Cats are here to help you find your next wonderful family member. We want to give everyone the individual attention they need. Your patience and courtesy is much appreciated!
Cat Chronicle – August 2018

Cat Chronicle – August 2018

Aug 2, 2018 | News, The Cat Chronicle

Last Days to Save on 5K Registration!

Last Days to Save on 5K Registration!Register before August 31 to save on registration fees for the Run for Their Lives 5K. Join fellow animal lovers in a competitive 5K or family-friendly fun run in your best cat-themed outfits! Register now!

SPONSORS AND VENDORS: Show off your awesome product or brand to the top kitty-loving fitness buffs in the Triangle! Become a sponsor or a vendor at the 6th Annual Run for Their Lives 5K!

Find a Home for Them ALL!

Find a Home for Them ALL!We need YOUR help! Know anyone that is looking to adopt a cat? They are in LUCK! On Saturday, August 18, we’re teaming up with WRAL for “Clear the Shelters” to find a home for every cat for FREE! All adoptions that day will be first come, first served!

SHARE these highly adorable and adoptable cats with your friends!

Feline Fundamentals is BACK!

Feline Fundamentals is BACK!Learn how to best care for the kitties in your life from the best cat experts in the Triangle! We’ll have 8 workshops over the course of this year including:

All classes are 6:30-8pm. $5 per class. Follow the links to register!

Calling All Artists!

Calling All Artists!Looking for a place to feature your beautiful cat-themed art or crafts? We just might have a space for you in our lobby!

Contact us at info@safehavenforcats.org if you’re interested in a consignment opportunity.

Bing Says Thank You!

Bing Says Thank You!Last month YOU helped us raise $3,310 to cover Bing’s life-saving surgery! Thanks to you, this sweet kitty got the surgery he needed to live a normal, healthy life!

He’s healing well and will be ready for adoption in about 6 weeks!

The Scratching Post: August 2018

The Scratching Post: August 2018

Aug 1, 2018 | News, The Scratching Post

Message from Pam Miller, Founder & President:

“A mind committed to compassion is like an overflowing reservoir – a constant source of energy, determination and kindness.” – 14th Dalai Lama

I love this quote because it is such an accurate description of our no kill cat shelter! Because of the energy, determination and kindness of our many volunteers, adopters and donors, SAFE Haven is leading our community with solutions for cat overpopulation and unnecessary euthanasia.

I hope you will be very pleased with this report and the impact YOU have made possible this fiscal year.

Safe Haven for Cats Newsletter 2018-08

Click on the image above to read or download this issue of The Scratching Post (pdf format).

Thanks to you, we adopted 864 cats and kittens this year. This is an increase of 39 over last year.

Through the SAFE Care Spay / Neuter Clinic 2,958 cats have been sterilized. This is an increase of almost 1,100 (from last year) that will not be adding to our overpopulation problem. Most importantly, no one is every turned away from the SAFE Haven’s clinic because they don’t have enough money.

As a transfer partner with six local County Animal Shelters, we responded when overcrowding forced these agencies to start euthanizing for space. In response, we took 276 cats from these shelters, providing them with a chance at a life in a caring home.

We supported 111 families (feeding 287 cats and 118 dogs in the process) with food from our Pet Food Pantry (the only one in Wake County). These owners can provide the pets they love with a much better life because of you.

When hurricane disasters struck in the fall of 2017, SAFE Haven partnered with the Humane Society of the U.S. to take 47 stranded cats and kittens that were airlifted from the disaster areas in Florida and Puerto Rico. We would not be able to respond quickly to events like these without your compassionate support.

Through our TNVR assistance program, we sterilized 459 “community cats”, loaned countless traps and provided education and hands-on help to many colony caretakers.

As you can see, everyone involved with SAVE Haven is determined, has a lot of energy, and works to save lives every day. On the following pages you will read about our programs, services, and the many ways you can help. Please come and join us in this life saving work. We will be very grateful.

With appreciation for everything you do for the animals . . .

Sincere thanks,

Pamela Miller
Founder & President

Read or download this issue of The Scratching Post here!

Marcelle And Friends Rescued By A Caring Neighbor

Marcelle And Friends Rescued By A Caring Neighbor

Jun 14, 2018 | Happy Tails

Life can be tough for a kitty on the street, but as we’ve experienced here at SAFE Haven, there are many good Samaritans out there who are caring for stray and feral cats every day. We have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many of these caring individuals over the years allowing us to save more cats than ever before!

This past March one of these good Samaritans contacted our Shelter Director Sherri. She had been caring for three stray cats and became very concerned for their safety after another cat in her neighborhood was killed by a stray dog. The woman had been working very closely with the three kitties, feeding and socializing them every day. When she first started caring for them, they were semi-feral, and she wanted to give them a chance at someday getting adopted. Now, she was more concerned than ever for their safety.

SAFE Haven for Cats typically encourages individuals to focus their efforts on homing stray cats rather than attempting to socialize and adopt ferals, but if the cats are in danger or more social than a typically feral cat, it may be time to step in and help! Sherri recognized the urgency in this situation, but the shelter was full at the time, so she met with the rest of the staff and came up with a plan to work quickly on making room for them. In the meantime, she stayed in contact with the rescuer and gave her tips on how to keep the cats safe until SAFE Haven could take them.

The day soon came for the kitties to make their trip to SAFE Haven and begin a new chapter in their lives. The SAFE Haven team had decided to name the trio Marcelle, Fairy Girl and Catrice. The rescuer was very grateful and relieved to see the cats that she loved and cared for finally go to a safe and loving place. One by one, the three were united with families who would love and care for them for the rest of their lives!

Learn what YOU should do if you come across stray cats in your neighborhood and how to tell the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat.