It’s never what you want to hear – that a disease could endanger the cats in our care. But that’s what we faced earlier this year.

Panleukopenia, or “panleuk,” is a virus that is 90% fatal in unvaccinated or minimally vaccinated cats, especially very young kittens. During a disease outbreak this summer, nearly 25% of the 178 kittens that arrived at SAFE Haven for Cats tested positive for this deadly disease. That’s when our excellent medical staff and team sprang into action. The kittens that tested positive were whisked away to be treated with intensive supportive care. We took it a step further, not just to treat the disease, but reduce the risk for all the cats in our care.

“This isn’t a new disease, but how we tackled panleuk is new. With just a simple test at admission and intensive, pre-emptive treatments, we flipped the script on how our shelter approached this horrible virus. I’m so proud of our shelter care team,” said Dr. Tiffany Kutner, the Medical Director at SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic.

This level of care and prevention took a lot – financial resources, staff time, medication, supplies, and more. Staff had to feed the most vulnerable and sickest kittens four or more times a day by syringe. Fluids had to be given to keep these little ones hydrated. Though we don’t like to put a price on our services, it costs at least $25 per day in supplies and labor per kitten to save their life.

Through this intensive care, we were able to SAVE over 40 kittens this summer who tested positive for panleuk – that means that we saved 90% of those cats. Without the care of the SAFE Care Team, these kittens would have had a much more difficult time. We have so much gratitude to the SAFE Care team for their dedication to these kittens.

Your donation today can help us mount lifesaving efforts like these in the future. Can you donate $25 or more to save one cat’s life?

As a BONUS, your donation will be MATCHED before December 31! That means even more LIFE-SAVING power with every dollar donated. All donations will be put to work saving cats’ lives today with outstanding veterinarian care from the SAFE Care Clinic, but also allow us to always say YES to doing whatever it takes to save cats’ lives.

Brittany Richard gets an inside view of all of the goings-on at SAFE Haven as our Operations Specialist. Over her 5 years with us, she’s gained experience in everything from event planning to handling donations, intake management, day-to-day operations, adoption counseling and more. “It’s still the best job I’ve ever had. I love learning new things about the cats and about the operation of the shelter.”

Get to know Brittany:

Why did you choose SAFE Haven to work at?
I was a volunteer first and really connected to the cats and the mission of SAFE Haven.

What do you love about cats?
Their uncanny ability to always land on their feet.

Do you have any pets?
I have a German Shepard mix named Ingrid, two Russian Blues named Alexi and Dexter, and we care for a community cat named Peaches.

Fun Fact:
I have a deep love of my Cajun roots in south Louisiana. My hometown is a small city named Kaplan near Lafayette.

We rolled out the red carpet for Gazpacho! This sassy gal, also known as Little G, may be petite — only 6 pounds — but she has the purr-sonality of a star.

Our friends and partners at the ASPCA in New York knew that this little six-year-old had some challenges to face on top of her recovery from a difficult situation. SAFE Haven was called on to help, and we were happy to welcome her into our caring community.

In addition to the challenges she’s faced from her living environment, Little G has a few health issues that mean extra special care. Her heart murmur is well managed with the proper medication, but she also suffers from hypermetric ataxia. This condition means a special walk with a few wobbles. She tends to lose her balance and sometimes falls over when she walks. But that doesn’t discourage this superstar!

As we care for Gazpacho and give her the medical attention she needs, she is also getting lots of cuddles and face rubs.

You can help us care for her and other cats that need special attention. Your support, whether ongoing or one-time, means we can continue to give these cats a second chance. Make a one-time donation or become a Paw Pal and donate each month. Little G thanks you for it!

Congratulations on your newest family addition! Cats have a unique ability to bring joy and comfort to those who love them. Your new family member will undoubtedly make you laugh and feel loved, but what do you do now? How do you best prepare your kitty for its new home so it will feel safe and secure?

First, you need to prepare kitty’s space in advance. Your new cat will likely be scared and apprehensive, so it’s important to prepare a space where kitty can relax and feel secure. You’ll want to find a small room, with little spaces for kitty to hide, but big enough for a litter box and fresh food and water. Remember, cats don’t like to eat near their litter box, so there should be enough space to separate the two items!

Now that you’re prepared for kitty’s arrival, it is important to isolate your new furry friend for seven to ten days. When you first arrive home, open the carrier/crate door and let them come out on their own. It’s also a good idea to leave the carrier/crate in the small space with your kitty for support, but leave it near a wall for an added feel of security. As far as your presence, make sure you just sit and quietly observe the kitty — don’t try to grab them or force them to be held. This is a crucial time for your kitty to adjust and find a new routine.

Be sure to visit the room often and bring a present each time, such as treats or a toy. Everyone in the family should make their rounds so kitty will become familiar with everyone. Remember not to grab kitty or make fast movements around them. You can try to coax them to come to you, and if they do, give them a gentle chin pet! And don’t be afraid to talk to kitty — let them get used to your voice, as long as you speak gently and quietly.

When the time comes when kitty greets you at the door, possibly meowing with their tail straight up, it’s time to tour the home! But you must make sure your home is safe and prepared for your cat’s curiosity. Make sure there are no doors or windows open and try to limit the hiding spaces where kitty could not be reached. If you notice kitty getting stressed, it’s time to go back to the safe room. Give kitty a few more days in the safe room, visiting as often as before, and try again when they are calm. Once you observe your kitty remaining calm in the home with your supervision, they’re then ready to roam freely around the home.

Every kitty is different. Some cats will come to you right away while others may take weeks. Read the cues from your kitty and let them decide when to advance. Taking the time now to properly introduce your kitty to its new home will build a strong foundation for your relationship for years to come!

Looking for more resources to start off on the right paw? Visit our adopter resources and Cat 101 website pages.

Reference:
BC SPCA. (2023, September 13). How do I welcome a new cat into my home? – BC SPCA. https://spca.bc.ca/faqs/welcome-new-cat-home/

Article by Jennifer Walters