Shortly before Thanksgiving 2018, I saw an ad for an adoption party from SAFE Haven. At the time, we were pet less, as we had lost 2 bunnies that January, and our beloved dog that March. We were ready for the pitter-patter of new babies since the house was so quiet (we are also empty nesters). We saw “Archie” and “Veronica” in the same cage and they were only sold as a bonded pair. They were the sweetest brother and sister and from the minute we each held them, I knew they were going to be a part of our family. We renamed them Jax and Josie since it just seemed to fit their personalities more. They are little love bugs who love to play and cuddle. This is certainly a tale of them rescuing me, and not the other way around. I am puddy in their hands, and I’d have it no other way!

In 1995, I moved to Durham to start a new career. I was alone and in an apartment. Someone at work suggested I call their friends, Doug and Pam Eader about adopting a cat. So I did and that week met them at their home to see kitties and apply to adopt. They ran SAFE Haven for Cats out of their home at the time. The matched me with a young adult feral black cat with the biggest green eyes in the world….Tabitha! It took some time but I had Tabitha for 18 years before she succumbed to lung cancer. She moved with me 14 times over the years and acclimated wonderfully. The best cat ever and the cat that has carved a place in my heart forever!

Jump to 2011 and I found myself calling Pam again. Safe Haven for Cats was now a major operation and I needed her help in adopting an abandoned kitten in Raleigh. She received the kitten and held her for me to come pick up. Willow has become just as special to me as Tabitha was. She is frisky and loves cuddling with my dog Sunny and me.

Thank you Pam for two very special family members to accompany me through life!

When I went to SAFE Haven for Cats, I was there hoping to adopt a sweet little kitten I’d seen on the website. I rushed there as fast as I could, but I just missed her. Disappointed, I halfheartedly looked around at the other cats. Just as I decided to leave, one of them caught my eye. He looked a lot like my cat Phoebe and I paused to look at him. The woman helping me starting telling me how sweet and cuddly he was, and I asked to hold him. I really just wanted to cheer myself up, but as soon as I held him I knew I’d be taking him home. I’ve never met a cat who loves cuddling and being held as much as Chidi does! He is the sweetest little guy. When I come home, he stands on his hind legs to rub his head on my hand. He sleeps on top of me every night. He loves to play, and he loves food. I had to get childproof locks for my cabinets!

I’m so glad I decided to hold him before leaving that day.

I guess you can really say the cat chose me! I’ve always told myself I never wanted an orange cat because they are so common. That all changed when I walked into SAFE Haven in 2015. There was a cat I’d seen online and wanted to meet, but when I turned down one aisle of cat cages, there he was…literally waiting for me to get to him. I jokingly say a light shined down from heaven and spotlighted him amidst all the others! His personality and need for attention did me in.

This ginger nugget has been more than I could ever have imagined. He is my constant roommate, furkid, and comfort. He’s also earned the title of therapy cat as he knows when I am anxious or sad and makes sure to find his way onto my chest or lap. He greets me at the door every day and sleeps on my head every night.

Finn’s favorite hobbies are: chattering at the birds; drinking from the sink; hair ties; waking me up at 6 am even though he has food downstairs; and laying in the sun.

Thank you, SAFE Haven!