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The Scratching Post: Spring 2024

The Scratching Post: Spring 2024

Apr 30, 2024 | News, The Scratching Post

Message from Our Interim Executive Director

Dear SAFE Haven Champions and Cat Lovers:

It would be an understatement to say that this has been a great year in many ways for life-saving. While kitten season keeps getting longer and there are more and more requests for our organization to take in homeless cats and kittens, we are able to welcome so many helpless animals into our adoption program and find them forever homes, thanks to YOU and your generous support of our mission.

In the first six months of our current fiscal year:

  • Adoptions: 694 cats and kittens adopted to forever homes
  • Surgeries: 3898 spays and neuters
  • Pet Food Pantry: 9,241 lbs. distributed to 166 families
  • Admissions: 662 cats taken in
  • Volunteers: 865 volunteers contributed 161,957 hours in the shelter and the clinic

These big numbers are impressive but what is more important is the one individual who was helped by our amazing team—whether it was to provide a bag of cat food so they would not have to decide between feeding their beloved pet or going hungry; to welcome a stray cat or kitten into our adoption program who might have otherwise been harmed; or to find that forever companion for a lonely person who might have spent the holidays by themselves, those are the most important statistics of all.

SAFE Haven is about LOVE, and you express your love to us in so many ways. We are so grateful for all of you!

With thankfulness,

 

 

Patti Godin
Interim Executive Director

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

The Cat Chronicle – April 2024

The Cat Chronicle – April 2024

Apr 4, 2024 | The Cat Chronicle

Raise a Paw – Place Your Bids Starting Tomorrow!

We can’t wait for you to join us at the Tuxedo Cat Ball to do good for the cats while you dine, dance, and support our efforts to reduce feline overpopulation and improve cat health.

Tomorrow, April 5, is the first day to place your bid on one of the fantastic items we have available at Tuxedo Cat Ball. From beautiful paintings by local artists to sports memorabilia to fine jewelry, there’s an item to catch everyone’s eye. Take a look at the available items in our Silent Auction and start picking out your favorites!

Help Cats + Win Big

While getting your tickets to join us for Tuxedo Cat Ball, don’t forget to grab raffle tickets. With this 50:50 Furever raffle, the more tickets sold, the more money you could win! You must be present at the Ball to win.

No Foolin’ – Pet Food Needed!

There are still a few days left to donate to our Pet Food Pantry Food Drive. You don’t even have to leave home to help! Shop our Amazon wish list and have your donation sent directly to us. Whether you’re helping cute cats or delightful doggos, thank you for giving all pets a healthy meal!

Did You Say Birdies? ⛳

Now’s the time to grab your golfing buddies! During the Purrfect Putt Golf Tournament on June 3, you’ll help cats while enjoying a round at North Ridge Country Club. You will have a great day on the greens and have the chance to bid on our exclusive silent auction items, participate in special competitions, and more. Buy tickets now.

Do you want to volunteer or just have questions? Contact Maddie at maddie@safehavenforcats.org.

Work with SAFE Haven

While we’re sad to announce that Jamie Hazard, SAFE Haven’s Community Engagement Manager, is leaving us, it’s an excellent opportunity for a cat-lover to join the SAFE Haven team full-time! Here’s all you need to know about our position for Community Engagement Manager and how to apply.

 

Plants & Cats

Plants can brighten your home, but did you know you must be careful if you have cats? Some plants are toxic. But have no fear. We have all you need to know to keep your cat safe.

Save the Date

Click here to DONATE

The Cat Chronicle – March 2024

The Cat Chronicle – March 2024

Mar 7, 2024 | The Cat Chronicle

Send Yourself (and Your Cat!) to the Ball

Next month is the Tuxedo Cat Ball and if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, you might want to grab them before we run out! This night of food and fun to help the felines is an evening out on the town you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets now.

Whether you can join us in person or just want to support us from afar, your cat (or cats!) can be a part of our biggest event of the year. All you need is a great picture! Here’s how your furry friend can participate for only $25.

Our Felines are Hitting the Fairway!

Did you see the news? We’re hosting our first golf tournament! On June 3, join us at North Ridge Country Club for a great day on the green to celebrate 30 years of SAFE Haven’s amazing work in our community. Whether you’re golfing solo or have a group of four you want to hit the links with, you’ll get to enjoy 18 holes at one of the best courses in the area.

⛳ Buy tickets.

🏌🏿 Sponsor the tournament or our swag bags.

Want to volunteer or just have questions? Contact Maddie at maddie@safehavenforcats.org.

Hit the Court with Our Cats 🏀

March Madness is coming to SAFE Haven with our March adoption special. Until March 31, adopt cats ages 6 months and older for only $50. Come see who would be a good fit for your team – meet SAFE Haven’s champion players!

Follow us on Facebook for our bracket featuring our very own Elite Eight later this month!

Breaking Our Own Records

Fighting to reduce the number of homeless animals in the Triangle is a part of our mission and SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic is working hard to achieve it. Last month, the team spayed or neutered 68 cats and dogs in a single day! Learn why spay/neuter is so important for our community. Want to support their work? Take a second to donate!

Keeping Kitties Warm

During our February Community Home Workshop, we had a lot of people who came and worked on easy-to-build shelters. We even showed up in the News & Observer! Ready to build your own? Check out our PDF with the instructions.

 

Closed for Easter

The adoption center will be closed for the Easter holiday on March 31. If you’re celebrating, don’t forget that lilies, especially common during this season, can be lethal for your cat!

Save the Date

Click here to DONATE

Search Begins for Executive Director

Search Begins for Executive Director

Mar 5, 2024 | News

Last April, Patti Godin was appointed the Interim Executive Director, when Founder and President Pam Miller departed the organization. Ms. Godin recently informed the Board of Directors that she wants to move back to her Operations Director role, a role she held for six years; the Board, therefore, will begin the process of interviewing candidates for the Executive Director position and ultimately select a candidate to lead the organization, hopefully for many years.

“I am confident that the Board will choose a candidate who is future-focused, loves cats, and is fully aligned with our mission to save cats’ lives and prevent overpopulation,” Patti said. “As we head into the next 30 years of our existence, we need bold, innovative leadership to address the challenges in our community. By moving back to the role for which I was hired, I can better support the programs and our leadership in meaningful ways.”

SAFE Haven will retain the services of Armstrong McGuire, a local firm committed with a 20-year track record of building strong non-profits through leadership and resource development. Says Mary Ka Powers, Chair of the SAFE Haven Board of Directors: “Armstrong McGuire has the experience and tools to help our organization find not only the strongest Executive Director candidate, but also the one who amplifies our distinct message to our constituents, collaborates with our team purposefully, and leads us on an exciting journey in animal welfare.”

Did you see us in the N&O?

Did you see us in the N&O?

Feb 13, 2024 | News

Our February workshop on building a shelter for community cats was a big success! Our easy-to-build project means even more cats will be protected from the cold if needed. 

Avery Gunther, outreach coordinator for SAFE Haven, led the workshop, which drew people from a wide area who work with cat rescues or trap-neuter-release efforts, or who live in places where feral cats are common. In some places, Gunther said, feral cats will try to shelter on people’s porches, leaving fur and dander on their outdoor furniture. “If you don’t want cats on your furniture, give them some furniture of their own,” Gunther said.

Laura Lee of Franklinton said she wanted to learn to build the shelters because she has four feral cats that have taken up residence outside her house; she sees them sometimes on her doorbell camera. She said she also works with a local cat rescue and would teach other volunteers there to build the shelters, and would show her mom, who works with a feline rescue in Charlotte.

Click here to read the News & Observer article.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event.

Ready to build your own home for cats? Download our PDF of instructions!