1. pets
2. cats

Just For You!
Operation SnowFix.......... 3
“Fill-A-Truck”.................... 5
A Day in the Life................ 6
Tuxedo Cat Ball................. 7
Come one
and all
to the
TuxedoCat Ball
Friday, April 24, 2015
Cover photo courtesy of Brittani Halbert Photography
www.safehavenforcats.org
SPRING 2015
Message from our Executive Director
A Story of One Cat
Not that long ago I received a call from a friend,
whom I will call “Denise”.
“I have always been an animal lover,” Denise
shared with me on the telephone, “And stray cats
seem to just find me—wherever I live.”
“One day last fall as I was watering my plants on my porch,
I saw a cat in the bushes by the woods. It was a tabby cat
that looked far too skinny to me. But, by the way it darted
away when I saw it, I could tell that it was not totally tame.
So, as fate would have it, my focus shifted to other tasks
and quickly forgot about the cat.
“A few days later I saw the same stray tabby again, and
being such a “sucker” for animals, I started putting a dish
of dry cat food near the woods for the cat. Pretty soon
the cat was coming every day around 4 o’clock for the
food. I knew in the back of my mind that I was now the
‘quasi-owner’ of this cat, because I was responsible for
feeding it. But then again, it was a stray cat—so how far
did my responsibility go…especially because living on a
fixed income as I do, money is tight for me.
The solution to the problem is simple and has been part
of SAFE Haven’s mission since day one: Spay and neuter
as many cats and kittens as we can.
In this issue of The Scratching Post we are featuring our
SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic, which has sterilized over
19,000 animals since 2001. In addition, we are announcing
a major new spay/neuter program called Operation
SnowFix and highlighting the important work of Operation
Catnip, both of which make their home at the SAFE Care
Clinic. All three of these programs accomplish the same
thing—providing affordable sterilization services in our
community.
“By that time, winter was coming and so I started letting
the cat come into my apartment occasionally, although
he still wanted to go back out, which was fine with me.
By the spring, this tabby cat (who by now I was calling
“Stripes”) still came to my apartment most days. One day,
very suddenly, he disappeared for a few weeks, and I was
surprised by how much I missed Stripes. Honestly, I found
myself waking up in the middle of the night more than
once worrying about what had happened to him.
Please help us get the word out about these programs so
people like Denise can connect with us and help cats like
Stripes. There are so many compassionate people who
want to be life-savers. Sterilization is the most effective
way there is to help every cat have a better life.
“Then one afternoon, Stripes trotted up to my porch with
five little kittens in tow, which immediately explained the
disappearance. She was off having kittens! Suddenly, I felt
completely overwhelmed. What had I gotten myself into?
For Cats. For Life.
Who was going to take care of all these cats?
Pamela Miller
Founder/Executive Director
What if she had kittens again and again?
I needed help!”
Now imagine this scenario happening in every apartment
complex and behind every shopping center or fast food
restaurant in the Triangle…except you don’t have to
imagine it because it is real. We estimate that we may
have as many at 160,000 stray cats in our area.
2
“Operation” is the key word in both
Operation SnowFix and Operation Catnip
and we are doing “operations” every day!
Snowflake Animal Rescue has awarded a grant of $10,000 to
SAFE Haven for Cats to launch Operation SnowFix.
The goal is to control pet overpopulation by providing financial assistance to at least 200 pet owners
in the community, and SAFE Care Feline Spay/Neuter Clinic will perform the sterilization services.
Over 8,500 cats and dogs were euthanized in the Triangle in 2013, according to the North
Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services animal shelter report. Experts agree
that spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce pet euthanasia and overpopulation.
“With this grant we hope to ultimately reduce the number of healthy cats who
are euthanized in the Triangle”, said Cindy Shears, founder and president of
Snowflake Animal Rescue.
The sterilization services are available to adult cats, kittens and small dogs
up to 15 pounds. Call (919) 872-SAFE (7233) or visit snowflakerescue.org or
safehavenforcats.org.
What do SAFE Haven for Cats and Operation Catnip have in common?
The SAFE Care Clinic!
For the last fifteen months, SAFE Haven for Cats has
been the home of Operation Catnip. Founded in Raleigh
in 1997, Operation Catnip is an all-volunteer organization
dedicated to reducing feral and free-roaming unowned cat
populations through sterilization.
Since November 2013, when this partnership began,
OC has completed over 700 spay/neuter surgeries
for caretakers of feral colonies. One Sunday a month,
Operation Catnip operates a high-volume, no-charge
clinic that is funded through donations and volunteer
veterinarians, veterinary technicians and trained lay
people. This highly efficient team is capable of sterilizing over 60 cats in a matter of hours.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the process of trapping feral cats, neutering, vaccinating, eartipping and returning them to their home location. Through TNR, we can greatly reduce
the number of unwanted feral and stray cats, lowering the intake and euthanasia rates
at animal shelters and saving tax dollars while providing more space
at animal shelters for adoptable cats. TNR also addresses the public
health concerns about rabies, and reduces annoying behaviors such
as cats fighting and spraying. All cats have the tip of their left ear
cropped which identifies them as sterilized.
For more information about Operation Catnip, TNR, and the services
they provide, visit their website at www.operationcatnip.org.
3
Lisa Krestalude, President of
Operation Catnip
News Briefs
SAFE Haven Announces
2015 Board of Directors
Never too young to get started in
Animal Welfare
Joining our Board are: Inez Leyden, Janet Hensel, Dee
Blake, Tina Haver Currin, Ginger Rice, and Dr. Jenny
Bennett. They join our current members Jan Beresford,
Lori Langreck, WRay Templeton, Sherry Johnson, and Keith
Langreck. First up in 2015 for our Board—a new 3-year
strategic plan.
Oops!
In our last Scratching Post we inadvertently left out
the thank you to three of our wonderful sponsors from the
Catsino Royale event. They are:
Thomas Waters at Allstate Insurance Company,
the Matheson Law Firm
and Jason Benz.
Thank you so much.
Volunteer instructor Kelly Bolz, pictured here, is heading
up a new after school program at the Boys & Girls Club
on New Hope Church Road in North Raleigh. Kelly, who
will be accompanied by a kitty from SAFE Haven, will
be engaging the kids in activities designed to encourage
pet ownership, shared responsibility for community
cats and the joy of unconditional cat love.
2 Fundraising Events–
Results & Thanks!
What Will Happen
to my Cat?
Raleigh Auction
Thanks to the many, many people who donated
collectibles, furniture, and “stuff” to this event. Without all
the hard work of Raleigh Auction & Estate Sales, we would
never have raised the nearly $9,500 this event generated.
Thanks to Kathy Mitchell, Cheri Faux, Linda Medlin, Lisa
York, Joe Veasy and
the whole crew,
as well as Linda &
Adam
Roycroft,
the SAFE Haven
volunteers
who
put it all together.
Shirley M. Diefenbach, an attorney from the Estate
Planning Group of Walker Lambe, a thirty-year-old
Triangle law firm, and Lisa M. Gabriel, President and
CEO of Pinafore Wealth Counsel, Inc., are teaming up
on March 26 from 6:30-8:00 pm to help demystify
some of your questions about caring for your cats
after you are gone. Their interactive and light hearted
presentation will show you how to set up a simple pet
trust, types of charitable gifts that can benefit you,
your charity and your heirs, and will help you to begin
thinking about what your legacy will be.
The event is free (donations gratefully accepted) and open
to everyone who wants accessible information on these
subjects. To sign up go to http://tinyurl.com/pettrust or for
more information, email [email protected].
Gift Wrap
Twenty-one dates, six stores, volumes of volunteers,
hundreds of feet of wrapping paper and ribbon—that’s
what it took to raise almost $3,000 for the cats at our annual
Holiday Gift Wrap at area Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
Thanks to everyone who wrapped and to WRay Templeton
who organized the whole thing.
Left:
Lisa Gabriel
Right:
Shirley Diefenbach
4
The Pet Food Pantry &
What the Heck is Fill-A-Truck?
The Pet Food Pantry, started in 2012, is the only animal food pantry in the Triangle.
The pantry was created to keep citizens from surrendering their pets due to economic
constraints, and by providing temporary food for dogs and cats, we’re able to give
the guardian an opportunity to get on their feet. For many people their
pet is the only family that they have, and losing that pet can have a
profound effect on a person’s mental health. Last year we distributed
For many
five tons of food and served 190 cats and 96 dogs.
Participants apply online or in person to receive food for their cats,
dogs, and even birds for three months at a time. We have participants
that have as many as 15 dogs/cats and some that have just one pet.
We have no limit set on the number of pets a recipient may have in
order to receive food, but the amount they receive is dependent on
the amount we have available. We also require that all pets be spayed/
neutered. If they aren’t, we will provide no cost spay/neuter for their
cats and/or dogs less than 15 lbs. and provide information regarding
programs for larger dogs. On average 35% of the households we
serve have 6 or more pets.
people
their pet is the only
family that they have,
and losing that pet
can have a profound
effect on a person’s
mental health.
Here’s where the “Fill-A-Truck” comes in . . .
The PFP is supplied by donations from individuals in our community. Approximately six
times a year we have a “Fill-A-Truck” event at the Wake Forest Walmart Superstore
and ask shoppers to donate food and supplies for our shelter and the Pet Food Pantry.
Volunteers give shoppers a “Wish List” of needed food as they enter the store.
Shoppers shop and fill our truck with donations on the way out. Stop by the shelter
anytime and donate some food. We take everything!
For more information about the Pet Food Pantry
email us at [email protected].
46 ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER
81 ROLLS OF PAPER TOWELS
8 ROLLS OF GARBAGE BAGS
18 hand soaps
2 PACKS BABY WIPES
10 PACKAGES OF GLOVES
2 HAND SANITIZERS
1 DISHWASING LIQUID
8 BOTTLES DISTILLED WATER
14 BOTTLES OF BLEACH
4 BOTTLES OF LAUNDRY DETERGENT
249 POUNDS DOG FOOD
35 POUNDS CAT FOOD
332 3 OZ. CANS CAT FOOD
24 2 OZ. PACKETS CAT FOOD
8 3 OZ. CANS CAT FOOD
A typical “haul” from one
FILL-A-TRUCK
5
Our next two
Fill-A-Truck events are
Saturdays
March 21 and April 11.
7-8 amcats/dogs
Some of us arrive
The gang’s all
in traps
here
Arriving at
the Clinic
Up to 20
er yone is
arrive. Ev breakfast.
no
–
g ru mpy
YU C K !
,
8 am-2urgperm
y, shavin g
Exams, s
wounds,
treating
ng,
vaccinati
weighing,
g,
n
ri
monito
suturing,
rger y.
u
s
e
r
o
g, m
recoverin
me after
SNACK ti
and
r all cats
o
su rg er y f
Exams & weights
All is forgiven,
going home
Treating injuries
Getting ready
for surgery
Who’s next?
dogs. YEA!
4-5 pm
we are
me. Finally
Pick-up ti
time
ome – is it
all going h
again
ll
et’s do it a
to eat? L
!
tomorrow
A History of the
SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic
July 3, 2001
April 1, 2003
,w
Yes
Clinic opens 4 days a month, 371 cats per year s/n
Clinic has their own dedicated space (800 square feet),
open 6 days a month, 582 cats per year s/n
February 2005
Clinic open 5 days a week, numbers climb to 1,268 cats per year,
first s/n clinic just for cats in North Carolina
October 8, 2012
Clinic moves to 1,800 square foot space and numbers are now at 2,561 per year
6
e do dogs too!
Tickets at tuxedocatball.org
Friday, April 24, 2015
7 pm–12:30 am ✦ North Ridge Country Club ✦ $100 person/$160 couple
✦✦
✦✦
✦✦
✦✦
Over 225 Live and Silent auction experiences
Dinner, drinks, desserts, dancing
Raffle for $500 cash
Champaign Toast by Furry Friends Pet Sitting
✦✦
✦✦
✦✦
Benjamin Farrell, Auctioneer
Dressy attire
Photo Booth from Have a Blast Pictures
Many Thanks to our Generous Sponsors
Benefactor Sponsor
Anniversary Sponsors
Doug Rickert
Silver Sponsors
Photos courtesy of
www.carolinezphotography
Sustaining Sponsors
Nell Coletta
Supporting Sponsors
Keith Ohrberg and
Elizabeth Moss Ohrberg
Caroline Z Photography
Golden Realty
Blind Cat Video
Custom Benefit Auctions
1st Choice Customized DJ Services
Linda and Adam Roycroft
Westgate Wine
Small Business Sponsor
Southpoint Animal Hospital
Carroll and Tim Clancy
7
Tom and Julie Suiter
Tim and Sue Hanis
Rosa Chrismon and
Sherry Johnson
Elizabeth Lindsey
Frank and Marie Seiber
Mobile Laser
Veterinary Services
Jill Odom
Brian and Tracy Coyle
NON PROFIT
ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
RALEIGH, NC
PERMIT NO. 1779
8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616
dp barcode
endor pkg brk
SAFE Haven for Cats
8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh NC 27616
919.872.SAFE (7233) • safehavenforcats.org
Name
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City, State Postal Code
Photos:
Photos in this publication are courtesy
of our contributors:
Michelle St. John-Grover at St. John
Photography • Caroline Z. Dickson at
caroline z photography • Jennifer Ead
Pam Miller • Brittani Halbert Photography
One2One
SAFE Haven’s Mission: SAFE Haven’s
mission is to ensure the well-being of every
cat through adoption, affordable spay/
neuter services, community outreach and
adherence to no-kill principles.
SAFE Haven & SAFE Care Staff
Pam Miller, Executive Director
[email protected]
919.500.5280
Dr. Betsy King, Veterinarian and
Medical Director of the SAFE Care
Spay/Neuter Clinic
[email protected]
Sherri Orner, Associate Director &
Director of Adoptions
[email protected]
919.500.5279
Gina Jennings, Volunteer Coordinator &
Intake Manager
[email protected]
919.500.5276
SAFE CARE Clinic Administrator
[email protected]
919.872.7730
Allison Thurkill, Cat Caretaker
[email protected]
Keep me safe and warm... attend the Tuxedo Cat Ball!