Let’s snip pet overpopulation this month!

February is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, a great time for the return of our Spay-ghetti and No Balls Dinner to in person! With your ticket, you’ll get a delicious plate of spaghetti and that also helps the many animals that need our help in the area.

Spay-ghetti & No Balls Dinner
Wednesday, February 22
5:30-8:30 pm
Marsh Creek Park Community Center, Multipurpose Room 113, 3050 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC 27604
Tickets available online or at the door.

Why is Fixing Cats and Dogs Important?
SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic fixes over 5,000 cats and dogs a year, saving lives, and we need your help ensuring that we NEVER turn away a pet in need. Your donation funds free and low-cost spays and neuters.

We all know there is no shortage of cats and dogs needing loving homes. There are never enough homes, shelters or fosters to care for all the animals in our community. In fact, there are over 100,000 cats and dogs living without a home in the Triangle on any given night. It’s overwhelming to think about it on a national or a global scale.

But fixing animals in our community makes a major impact. Every spayed female can reduce the population significantly in her lifetime. Feral pets are often put down in area shelters because they are seen as being burdensome on the community. Stopping unwanted litters is the key to solving this problem.

Not only does fixing pets help end unplanned litters, but it also has amazing impacts on their health and your happiness. Learn more about all the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet.

There are over 100,000 cats and dogs living without a home in the Triangle.

Fighting to reduce this number is a part of our mission. SAFE Haven and SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic is committed to spaying or neutering every cat or dog. We support spay/neuter because sterilization controls pet populations by preventing litters that risk being euthanized.

Pet overpopulation is a cycle resulting in millions of cats and dogs roaming the streets or even being euthanized every year. How does it happen?

Gestation periods for cats and dogs last about 63 days. Nursing mothers become pregnant right away. The average litter size is four. Mother’s offspring can start getting pregnant as young as four months old – leaving the overpopulation cycle to continue indefinitely.

The best way to break the cycle is to spay or neuter your pet. Here are some answers to common questions about spaying or neutering your furry friend:

Should I let my cat go into heat?
No. The American Veterinarian Association recommends cats and dogs should be spayed/neutered at five months of age. Although, cats and some smaller breeds of dogs typically begin going into heats as early as 4 months of age. There are no health benefits for your pet cat to go into heat before becoming fixed.

Is spaying/neutering painful?
During a spay or neuter surgery, cats and dogs are fully anesthetized, so they feel no pain. While cats can’t really tell us if they are in pain, our veterinary staff work to make kitties as comfortable as possible during surgery. All animals spayed at the SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic receive pain medication before their surgeries and we also offer pain medication to go home for an additional fee.

With any surgery, there is tenderness around the incision and your pet may be more tired than normal but usually return to normal activities after about a day.

Why is spaying/neutering so expensive?
It doesn’t have to be! There are places in the Triangle that offer low-cost or even free spaying/neutering to pet owners in need. The SAFE CARE Spay/Neuter Clinic can work with you to make fixing your pet more affordable! Request an appointment here.

Is spaying/neutering safe for my cat?
While all surgery comes with some risk, spaying and neutering are essential for your pet’s health and safety. Spaying your lady kitty helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer. Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age according to the ASPCA.

For more information on spay/neuter services in the Triangle, visit https://www.safecareclinic.org/.

SAFE Haven for Cats has a-meow-zing staff members who help ensure we can save lives every single day! We have several positions open so if you think you’d be a great fit, please apply!

• • We’re looking for an experienced Volunteer Coordinator to manage our large contingent of volunteers, recruit for new and existing volunteer opportunities, and be an important team member in growing our great volunteer program. Recently voted the best non-profit in the WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards, SAFE Haven for Cats is a high-energy volunteer organization that provides the community with opportunities at our animal shelter/adoption center, at our high volume spay/neuter clinic, and at the many events we attend in the area. At SAFE Haven, it’s all about the cats, and the cats do love their volunteers! If you have managed volunteers and coordinated volunteer-centered events at non-profits before, we would love to speak with you about this position. Please contact Patti at patti@safehavenforcats.org for more information.
  • Do you have a retail or hospitality background? Would you like to apply your awesome customer service skills to a great part-time job in a cats-only adoption center? If helping our cats find forever homes gets you excited, please consider a role at SAFE Haven for Cats! We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist with our adoption program. Weekends are a must. The hourly rate is $12 to $15 per hour depending on experience. Contact Patti at patti@safehavenforcats.org if you’re interested.
  • Are you looking for a career in animal welfare? Do you speak “Meow” fluently? If you answered yes, you should reach out to us! We are looking for both full-time (40 hours/week) and part-time (24 hours/week) Cat Care Associates who can assist with all of the duties related to animal care in our shelter: feeding, handling, medicating, and providing enrichment and socialization opportunities. You will be working with cats from the time they arrive to the time they are adopted. Evening and weekend availability is required. Full-time opportunities come with vacation and other benefits. Starting hourly wage: $12 to $16 per hour depending on experience. Email Patti at patti@safehavenforcats.org if you’re interested.

Whether your cat is an independent soul or your constant companion, they need good care to thrive. Here’s a look at what that means when it comes to veterinary care. 

Do cats need annual wellness checks?
Yes! Cats can often mask how they’re feeling—especially if they’re under the weather. That’s why it’s critical to have your cat examined by a veterinarian every year. Older cats or those with behavioral or medical conditions may need to be seen more frequently. 

Even if your cat seems healthy on the outside, an underlying problem may be lurking on the inside. Fecal exams, blood and urine tests, and other tests that screen for infectious diseases, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), may be required, based on your cat’s age and lifestyle. 

What types of questions will the vet ask me about my cat?
Just as your cat needs to be physically healthy, it needs to be emotionally healthy, too. Your veterinarian will ask questions about your cat’s environment—whether there are other pets or children in the house and how your cat interacts with them, what kind of playful activities your cat participates in, and so on— and inquire about any behavioral issues that need attention. 

From questions about the type of food you’re feeding and the frequency of meals to assessing your cat’s body condition score, your veterinarian will want as much information as possible to determine if any adjustments need to be made in your cat’s feeding regimen in order to keep it in the healthiest weight range. 

Should my cat get vaccinated?
Yes! Even if your cat spends most or all of its time indoors, it may still be at risk for certain preventable viral diseases. Your veterinarian will assess your cat’s risk and develop a vaccine schedule specifically to its needs. Make sure your kitty has its rabies vaccine – all cats are required to have it. 

Should I take my cat to the vet for parasites?
Yes! Cats are prime targets for parasites such as fleas and ticks, not to mention the ones we can’t see like heartworms and intestinal parasites. Your veterinarian will discuss the best options to keep your cat free and clear of these dangerous pests. 

Do cats need dental care?
Yes! Dental disease doesn’t just affect humans — our furry friends are susceptible, too. Your veterinarian will examine your cat’s mouth and determine if further action, like a full oral health assessment and treatment under anesthesia, is needed to keep your cat’s teeth and gums in good shape. 

Sometimes, going to the vet may be a bit scary for both you and your cat. No need to fear! By maintaining your cat’s health with annual checkups, vaccinations, and asking questions of your vet, your kitty is sure to live a happy life and you’ll both find the vet’s office a place of care, not fear.