SAFE Haven for Cats is creating a better future for cats in the Triangle

This article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm

Twenty-eight years ago, SAFE Haven for Cats was founded with the mission to save the lives of cats through rescue, adoption, spay/neuter services, and community programs. What started as a small program in the two-car garage of the organization's founder evolved into the first permanent no-kill shelter in the Triangle. Today, the organization has seen the adoption of nearly 15,000 cats and kittens and has ensured that more than 46,000 cats, kittens, and small dogs have been spayed and neutered.

"Our team is absolutely committed to saving more and more lives every year, " said Patti Godin, Executive Director for SAFE Haven.

Built on education and no-kill principles, SAFE Haven strives to do more than just find homes for cats. The organization has developed programs that help keep pets with their families and address the cat overpopulation that has risen significantly in recent years.

In 2012, SAFE Haven launched its pantry program, which allows pet parents to obtain pet food even if they are facing financial hardships. Last year, the pet food assistance program donated 16 tons of food to families that would otherwise be unable to afford it. This helps keep these pets out of shelters and in loving homes.

In addition, SAFE Haven's SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic, opened in 2001, offers low-cost spay and neuter veterinary services, as well as vaccinations and microchipping for pets. When families choose to spay or neuter their cats or dogs, it reduces the possible health risks for pets and helps prevent the overpopulation of homeless animals.

While SAFE Haven took in 1356 cats into its adoption program last year, its focus is not solely on adoptable cats.

"SAFE Haven values all cats, whether they are considered feral, community cats who are a little more domesticated, or cats that live indoors; they all need our help. So, how do we help the feral cat community? We work with many constituents and colony caregivers to make sure they're spayed and neutered. We actually also provide vaccinations for those cats and we provide humane traps for those constituents, " said Godin.

The organization also has a barn cat program which is important because not all cats are destined for a life indoors, but still deserve a safe, protected place to exist.

Even with the great programs SAFE Haven operates, the organization has many future plans to increase the impact it has on cats of the Triangle.

"This is a milestone year for us as we start thinking about new programs, and one we're particularly passionate about is expanding our foster program," said Godin.

The number of kittens entering foster care increases every year. To prepare more cats for adoption into safe, loving permanent homes, the organization plans to build a kitten nursery to offer round-the-clock care for kittens, especially as kitten season continues to grow longer every year. Achieving these aspirations is not possible without community support.

All the work SAFE Haven does is supported by the generosity of community members, donors, and its own fundraising activities. Only 17% of the organization's annual budget is used for administrative costs. The low overhead means two things. First, that the vast majority of donations go directly to vital programming. Second, that the volunteer network and community support is paramount.

"Our partnerships are very important to us. We're a word-of-mouth organization, like many nonprofits, so to tell your network about what we do and how great we do it, I think that's very important to us. And, providing support – that support may be tangible in the form of money, supplies, or even intangibles such as just letting people know we exist – those community partners really help us a lot, " added Godin.

Organizations like Whitley Law Firm see the impact organizations like SAFE Haven have on the community.

"SAFE Haven for Cats has been a Raleigh Institution for a long time. We wanted to show a little love for the felines and make sure that a very old and well-known organization in Raleigh has been supported,” said Ben Whitley of Whitley Law Firm.

You can get involved too. Even a small donation can go a long way. A contribution of $5 covers rabies and distemper vaccines for one cat and $8 will provide substantive and healthy meals for a cat for one day. And if you love cats, SAFE Haven has volunteer opportunities as well. From kitten cuddling and the Whiskers and Words literacy program to the pet food pantry and transportation, there are many volunteer opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of these cats.

Learn more about SAFE Haven's volunteer programs here.

This article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm