Safe Haven Humane Society - Maine

And they lived happily ever after!

2007-11-01T23:54:00.000-04:00

Clarabelle, Lacey and Tasha stole the hearts of a lovely young couple that came to adopt two kittens. When Celia and Lorenzo saw how the kittens were bonded to one another they asked if they could adopt all three! Nothing pleases us more. So on October 30th they drove off to their farm where the kittens will live an indoor only life and be a part of all the exciting adventures of country life.

We love to work with people and learn about the kitty they are looking for . Each cat comes with such distinct personalities.. It takes a while to have the new kitty get used to it's new surroundings and new family members. Sometimes it takes days. Kittens usually get used to their new homes easier than adult cats, and it is always best to adopt 2 cats as they receive comfort from one another. Better yet, is when someone adopts the whole litter, as did Celia and Lorenzo, and for that we will always be especially grateful! Celia emailed us a day later and told us that "The kittens are doing fantastically. They are all so loving, adorable and happy!" This is the happy ending we are always working so hard for!

Health tips for cat owners

2007-09-15T18:09:00.000-04:00

Chocolate and Pets

Drug class: Methylxanthines

It often surprises pet owners to discover that for animals, chocolate is poisonous in sufficient dosages. Specifically it is the drugs in chocolate, theobromine and caffeine (of the drug class methylxanthines), that are toxic to pets. Only a moderate amount needs to be eaten by an animal, typically a dog, in order to be poisonous (approx. 1/2 oz. of baking chocolate per pound of body weight and less in some animals). With the poison in this case being so appealing, overdose is not a rare occurrence. Poisonings of this type typically occur during the holiday seasons of Easter, Christmas and Halloween. Depending on their appetite and the specific ingredients contained in the recipe, some dogs have ingested a toxic dose of chocolate by eating an entire pan of brownies or another chocolate dessert, particularly one containing baking chocolate. Fortunately, the animal frequently vomits soon after, which reduces the amount of poison in the stomach available to act on the body and decreases the toxicity somewhat. If clinical signs are seen, these can include vomiting, excessive urination, hyperactivity, fast breathing, weakness and seizures. While rare, death can occur, usually due to the adverse action of methylxanthines on the heart.

Many people unknowingly feed their dogs chocolate treats (candy bars, cookies, etc.) without obvious illness resulting; the lack of clinical signs is due only to the relatively low dose of methylxanthines in small amounts of milk chocolate. It is certainly better for your pet to stick to treats he or she will like just as much and avoid chocolate-containing treats where the dog is concerned. Also be aware that an accidental overdose of cake, bars, etc. containing chocolate can pose a significant risk to a dog. If this should happen to your pet, make note of the amount of chocolate used in the recipe, the approximate amount eaten by your pet and give your veterinarian a call to determine if the dose was sufficient to cause any problems.

Cats Licking Photographs

Your cat can suffer severe kidney and liver failure after licking photographs. According to my local Veterinary Surgeon, the chemicals on the paper act much the same way as anti-freeze does to the feline body. So, please keep ALL photographs out of your cat's reach.

Aspirin & Aspirin Derivatives

Aspirin and aspirin derivatives, (white willow bark and white oak bark, salicylic acid), acetaminophen products (Tylenol), ibuprofen products (Motrin), can be fatal to cats. Do not use them. Do not give pets caffeine-containing herbs either, which definitely includes chocolate.

Mindy finds a forever home!

2007-09-04T09:09:00.000-04:00

Mindy’s Story

Recently I received a call from a woman who told me she had spotted a young, small cat leading a kitten up onto her deck. Lisa, noticed the kitty leading the kitten was not much larger than the kitten itself, and she questioned if this could be the mother cat despite her tiny size. Once on the deck, the young cat led the kitten to the door, then turned and crept down the steps and tiptoed back into the woods, leaving the kitten at Lisa's door.

Lisa wanted to know what to do with this kitten and if Safe Haven could help. A short time later I called her back to tell her we had set up a vet appointment for the kitten and that we will provide all she needs for it if she will foster until we have room in our program. While on the phone, Lisa said, “Oh my gosh. The cat is back — and she’s brought a second kitten!” Sure enough, this brave kitty had escorted another of her young onto Lisa's deck where he would be safely out of the woods. Once again, the little kitty tiptoed back into the woods knowing she had done what was best for her babies.

I went to the home to see the kittens, bringing fostering supplies and food. They were beautiful little babies, one did have a bite or wound on it's hind leg, and they had fleas but more than any problem right now was that these kittens were hungry! They were absolutely ravenous and devoured the food I’d brought. It seems obvious that Momma cat had to work very hard to keep these kittens fed and she must have been having a tough time doing that, as their tummies were empty.

As you can see, these kittens were unusually beautiful. They looked like they could possibly be part Snowshoe or Siamese or Ragdoll. It was so strange to think that these kittens were escorted to Lisa's deck from the depths of the woods. Life is so full of mysteries.

The next morning, Lisa awoke to find a dead mouse on her deck by the door, this was momma kittie's offering to her babies for their breakfast. The dedication and the survival skills that mother cats have for their kittens is to be so admired. She must have worked very hard to gather food for her little family. The mother herself was so small, it was obvious she could have used the nutrition herself. But she gave to her babies instead.

Safe Haven made plans to get the momma kitty trapped.She had totally stolen our hearts and we knew she needed help. She certainly needed rescue and to be given great rewards for being such a dedicated momma to these babies.

With help from Safe Haven volunteer, Terri, Lisa managed to get the mother kittie into the safety of her home and isolated in her basement. (It is important to isolate rescue cats from other animals in your home) In a few days she settled in and did great and enjoyed Lisa's foster care. Her foster family named her Mindy, and found her to be not just a hero cat but a dear and lovely kitty.

The kittens were adopted by the family as the children fell in love with them immediately.The children named them Nippy and Skippy.

Mindy Gets Her Wish:We are so happy to tell you that Mindy also had her dream came true thanks to her foster mom putting the word out about this wonderful young mother kitty. Mindy was adopted on August 31st and is now enjoying her very own home, where she can enjoy being the center of attention and a much loved family member. Now she gets to view a woods from the safety of her new home where she is so loved and treasured.

We are so thankful to Mindy for leading her wee kittens to the home of a compassionate family. And we are happy that they called Safe Haven. We want happy endings to each animal out there who is in harms way, please call us at 207-985-3550 if you know of an animal in need, and we will do all we can to help. Thanks!

Ben's Story Continues

2007-08-23T23:10:00.001-04:00

Thanks to a little help from some new 2 legged and 4 legged friends, Ben is doing just fine at Pawsitive Steps!

We have to admit, we were a little concerned on the morning of August 8th. That was the day foster mom, Lynn, put Ben in his kitty carrier to leave her foster care and go to a new location so he could be viewed for adoption. This is an emotional time for everyone. The foster volunteer, the kitty and any animal companions they bonded with while in their foster home. Lynn had Ben since the middle of March and so they had plenty of time to get attached!

Lynn's kitty, Noelle, who befriended Ben over over the months, enjoying long periods of happy play, is shown here saying "Good-bye,Good Luck" to Ben as Ben waits to be transported. Noelle lay outside his carrier to keep him company and they seemed to be having a nice long visit with one another. This was very touching for foster mom Lynn to observe. Don't ever let anyone tell you that animals don't have emotions or feelings.

Ben, who had been feral and was now rehabilitated by Lynn, was having his newly established confidence challenged during the ride to Eliot, and once there in the shop he had to be put in a kitty condo and this of course made him frightened. Becky, the shop owner, does everything she can to make the satelitte kitties comfortable and happy. The cats are not kept in a cage all the time. In fact, eventually the cats are out of their big kitty condo more often than they are in, and they get lots of one on one love and attention while there, but in the beginning, they must be put in the condo so they don't run and hide in the store.

Lynn, shown above, had a nice long talk with Ben to help reassure him and help him to feel comfortable in his new environment. She had accomplished a great kindness by rehabilitating this feral tabby over the months and she had truly put her heart into it and had bonded deeply to Ben, and Ben to her.

Ben is introduced to his new friend Becky (far left in photo) who owns Pawsitive Steps. Becky has lots of animal expertise and is using it on Ben right now by giving him a massage and Reike. Pawsitive Steps is now Ben's new home until he finds his forever home. When it was time for Lynn to leave it was alittle sad, but there was nothing to be concerned about knowing he was there under Becky's watchful eyes and loving hands.

The next days the reports about Ben had us concerned. We expected Ben to do the typical "kitty in a new location" behavior pattern, but Ben just didn't seem to be coming out of it. He seemed to be showing no improvement, and we became a bit concerned and all agreed that if Ben didn't show any improvement, that we would transport him back to Lynn's foster home.

But....then....one day, Becky walked into her shop. And she said she heard a strange noise, kinda like the sound of a motorboat. She looked around to see where the noise was coming from..and..low and behold it was Ben purring up a storm! And there next to him was the reason why! Ben had made a new friend that was keeping him company! A Sheltie, had gone over next to Ben's kitty condo and lay next to it, and Ben, rubbed up against the cage showing all signs of friendship and happiness. From that moment on, Ben has started purring again and is now his old self, very happy, a total love bug and all thanks to his new 4 legged friend!

We continue to be amazed and impressed by our animal friends. They are all so interesting and unique. We can learn so much from them!

If you are looking for a wonderful family member, won't you consider adopting Ben? You can give us a call at 207-985-3550 or call Pawsitive Steps at 207-439-2384. Why not go visit Ben and give him a scratch behind the ears and spend a little time with him. You won't regret it!

Lynn, who is Ben's foster mom, describes her special boy as follows:

"Some standout things about Ben is how loving and almost innocent he is even after everything he's been through. He's very affectionate and loyal and will follow you around the house all day long. He's great company!! He has a very calm nature once he gets comfortable. And of course loves kittens, the "lady felines" and now dogs too!! He loves to be brushed, rubbed around the head/neck & belly, plays with a laser light and just likes to hang out with his loved ones day and night!!"

And they lived happily ever after!

2007-08-23T00:10:00.000-04:00

posted by Joyce:

Buttercup, Daisy May and Opie had their wishes granted and they were adopted by a wonderful animal lover! Kelly loves animals and comes from a family that adores them as well. I knew this was going to be a special adoption when I learned that Kelly even rescued a goldfish from doom and named him! Kelly is an especially kind hearted person. How many people are willing to extend their hand out to not just one or two but three kitties that are in need of a home? Not many, and so that is why we are so thrilled that Kelly came to Safe Haven to adopt.

She has since renamed them. The mother cat, Buttercup, is now "Gypsy" (shown here to the right in Kelly's arms) because as Kelly explained, she had traveled from place to place looking for a home and she finally found her home with Kelly! Opie, is now called "Harley" because he is so confident, so studly, so very "Harley Davidson-like" as he takes off full speed like a little dare devil! She gave Daisy May (below, right with Kelly) a refined and sophisticated name suited to this darling dainty kitten, and her new name is "Paris". All great names for great kitties!!

Now she is having fun shopping for just the right collars for them. Each collar will suit their unique personalities. Oh these kittens will indeed be spoiled rotten and that is what we want. To top it all off, Kelly has assured me that I can be their honorary aunt and have visiting rights. So I too get to spoil "the kids", and it doesn't get any better than that! Thank you Kelly for adopting all three so they can live together happily ever after! This is indeed an answer to a prayer that they would stay together! You made it happen Kelly!

Raffle to benefit Safe Haven Animals

2007-08-16T23:34:00.000-04:00

CRESCENT MOON HERBALS

76 Center Road, Lebanon, Maine

Presents

THE SECOND ANNUAL

HOLISTIC FAIR

and

BENEFIT RAFFLE FOR

SAFE HAVEN HUMANE SOCIETY

(over $1,000 in prizes!)

Saturday, Oct. 6^TH

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free!

Angel Card Readings, Psychics & Mediums,

Reiki, Shamanic Crystal Healings, Chair Massage,

Chakra Cleansing, Craniosacral Therapy,

Sound Healing, Vendors and More …

The drawing for the raffle will be held at 5 p.m., following the fair.

Tickets are $1 each or $5 for 7 tickets. Tickets will be on sale at the shop

during regular business hours from now until the fair.

Crescent Moon Herbals

76 Center Road, Lebanon, Maine

207-457-1114

The TAIL of two kitties by foster mom Joyce McKay

2007-08-12T22:28:00.001-04:00

Who needs toys?
Not Opie or Daisy May! That is what tails are for!
If they are not chasing their own, they're busy chasing each others!

I enjoyed watching : The Tail of Two Kitties" today as my foster kittens Daisy May and Opie played one of their favorite games with one another. Here' how it's played:
It starts after a nice cat nap... They just woke up from a comfy nap...Now they are rested and ready to stretch and see what's going on around them....

A kitten's best play toy is another litter mate. We always suggest that people adopt TWO kittens. They are happier when they go to a new home with a familiar family member to make them feel safe and comforted. And...kittens play with each other. Kittens are playful. If they aren't playing..they are sleeping. They basically have two speeds..."Full Speed"..and "Stop".

To demonstrate this fact...let's watch this...the kittens (Opie and Daisy May) have just woke up.....see what happens next! They sniff around..and sure enough...there is something that smells exciting and yummy.....what is in that yellow fabric toy???

"Snif sniff..do I smell canip?"

Ah oh...2 kittens..and only 1 toy!!

Daisy May tries to sit lady like
on the top of the chair. But...
Opie sees her tail...and it is
just so darned....irrestible and
he has to try to catch it...besides
the tail has just twitched...
And so, the "Tail of Two Kitties"
begins! ,

Okay...Opie has the Tiger, er...the Torti, by the tail now! This is a huge feat for a little lion like Opie. He is feeling very proud of himself now and Daisy May is so embarrased..she can't even look at her brother..but she will get even. She's smaller..but she's faster...

She jumps off the top of the chair, and Opie chases her tail.

He finally grabs onto Daisy May's tail, and plays with it like it's a mousie. He kicks at it, paws at it and
then he licks it and bites it! He thinks he is the king of the jungle now!

But...wait a minute...what's this? I think the tide has turned, and little sister, has out foxed her big goofy brother and has captured his beautiful blonde fuzzy tail! Daisy May Wins!!!!!

And now the game has come to an end, and Opie and Daisy May are beginning to feel a little tired..(as I said, they have two speeds, Full Speed and Stop) they begin to wind down for another nap...

but....wait...we wonder if we could have a bedtime snack first....where is momma?
(Buttercup)

Buttercup, and her two kittens are looking for a wonderful home where they will be kept indoors only, never declawed, and live happily ever after. We are looking for a home that will adopt the two kittens together, and if you have the room....Buttercup would love to stay with them. They are all wonderful kitties. So dear and sweet. Buttercup is only one and a half years old. Kitten adoption fees are $85 each. They have their shots, are spayed and neutered, and ready to go. If you adopt the two kittens and want Buttercup too, we will waive her $65 adult adoption fee so she can stay with her kittens. She is very laid back, very sweet, undemanding, adorable and so very devoted to her kittens.

Contact Joyce at 207-985-3550 if interested in adopting!
Thanks!

Lost Cat

2007-08-11T13:08:00.000-04:00

Simon is missing!!

We received a call today from a couple that is searching for their missing kittie, Simon. They have sent photos of their darling orange tabby and so please everyone keep your eyes open for this kittie.
*******Quote from his family : I left a missing cat report this morning and am sending pictures.
Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of Simon with his collar on.
It is a bright multi-colored collar with a blue yin-yang clasp.
*******************

Simon is declawed so it is especially important that he is found and brought safely home. He has been missing within the last week on the Littlefield Road in Wells. His family misses him dearly and they are calling all authorites and making posters and hoping with all their hearts that Simon return home or be found. If you see him please contact us ASAP!

Thanks everyone,
Joyce

Gratitude

2007-08-11T01:14:00.000-04:00

Shown above is Ann holding some of the kittens from her barn that Safe Haven is now helping her manage.

I've been hearing some very nice things about our organizaton and wanted to some of them with you so you who have been working hard to keep us actively saving lives realize that it isn't just the animals that appreicate what we do, but it's people too!

The public that we help is appreciative of how we help them manage their cat situations, and help them with with cat behavioural issues and also help them find the perfect match in adoption.

I've been hearing that our organization has a good reputation, we are known for doing good work and that the public trusts us. This means so much to me and all the members and volunteers. We do put our hearts into this work, and our days and nights. There is no financial reward to doing the work we do. No one is paid. But the reward is in knowing we save lives. And when someone actually writes us a thank you, or calls us with kind words, or sends a donation, or becomes a member, it is the frosting on the cake!

Here's a recent note from Ann who we are helping with her barn cat situation:

Hi Joyce, I'm so glad I found Safe Haven Humane Society and can't express my appreciation for the good work being done to save the lives of and find wonderful loving homes and foster care for the many cats and kittens that have been reproducing in my family's barn in Windham. I've spent many years on my own trying to catch, spay, neuter and find homes for them and for the first time there is an organization of wonderful people who came through for me and the cats. These people are making a huge difference for me in that this enormous task is being accomplished. Safe Haven provides top level medical attention for the cats and top level support for me in my quest to stem the cat population explosion. These cats are loved and even though they were born in a barn, they become perfect loving pets thanks to the care of a hard working, organized, and loving network of volunteers.

The photo above is of Ann introducing Toni and Dianna to Safe Haven as they enter our lifesaving rescue and foster program.

Thank you Ann for this lovely thank you note. It means a great deal to us and we are only so happy to be able to provide this service to you and these kitties!

Joyce

Ben's Story

2007-08-09T23:06:00.001-04:00

The first time I saw Ben, I was very alarmed. He lay in a have-a-heart trap at the vet after being neutered, combo tested, vaccinated and treated for parasites. He was groggy, and so frightened. Quite honestly, I thought when I first saw him that he was close to death's door.

This kitty was one of several that were not wanted on a rural property. The owner of the property didn't want to have them killed as ferals at the shelter and knowing we are No Kill, asked if we would take them. We practice TNR, which stands for Trap, Neuter, Return with ferals, but in this case Ben was not welcomed back. So we couldn't do the "Return" part of TNR. We also had no time to come up with a plan of action. We thought he could stay overnight at the vet but they didn't have room that evening, so we had to take him now. But where?? There was no opening in foster care.

So who do you call in such a crisis? Eleanor, to the rescue. Eleanor is a "cat whisperer". She knows cat health, cat care and is always there in a pinch. And she didn't fail us or Ben that day. She welcomed him with her generous heart and into her cat haven of a home. She observed Ben and when he was recovered from surgery it was time to move him into a foster home.

Lynn lives in Portland, and she was new to our foster volunteer team. I called her and she was very welcoming to the idea of taking Ben to foster, despite his feral ways. I drove Ben up to Lynn, we set up the kitty condo in her guest room and I said a little prayer when I left (okay a huge prayer) and drove home wondering if I just made a big mistake to leave a feral with a new foster volunteer. Lynn had experience with animals from volunteering at an animal shelter in Maryland, but I didn't know if Ben was too much too soon for a new foster volunteer.

Lynn proved to be an excellent caregiver for Ben. She gave him his space, the time and patience it takes to socialize a feral kitty. She understood Ben, respected him and before we knew it, fell in love with this fellow. In several months, Ben had turned into total sugar in her gentle and experienced hands. I think that Lynn possesses magical abilities now. She certainly worked her magic with this dear kittie. Just look at this "feral" kitty now!!! I see "lap cat" and "purr baby" in this darling tabby's face!! Ben is now friendly, lovable, playful, happy and confident. He is all a cat deserves to be.

Tomorrow morning, Lynn and I are driving to Pawsitive Steps in Eliot to transport Ben to Becky's wonderful store. There, Ben will be the center of attention and he will be the official greeter to all who shop there. He will be spoiled as much as Lynn spoiled him, and we know that someone is going to walk into Pawsitive Steps, take one look at this handsome survivor and say..."Can I adopt him??? I think I'm in love!!!"

None of this could have happened without Eleanor and Lynn coming to Ben's rescue and now, Becky. I am so grateful that we have a foster volunteer team that saves lives every day. Cats like Ben are killed routinely at animal shelters. Can you imagine that? Ferals, unfortunately, are still very misunderstood, treated cruely and not given the respect or care they so deserve. We are developing a great team of people who are becoming expert if not already expert at cat rehabilitation, trapping and fostering.

So tonight is Ben's last night in Lynn's care. And I know that Lynn is feeling sad about him moving on, but she is already thinking about the next fosters that need her. We have a pregnant female (Tiffany), black kitty named Boo, and a orange and white kittie named Puddy cat that are waiting to come into our lifesaving program. So Lynn is ready to say goodbye to Ben and hello to the next homeless one that is waiting right around the corner from her heart and hearth.

Thank you Eleanor, Lynn and Becky. Good Luck Ben! Who could help but fall in love with you?
Joyce

Say Cheese! PLEASE??!!!

2007-08-07T00:18:00.000-04:00

Tonight I had a photo session planned to get great photos of two of my foster kittens, Opie and Daisy May for the feature in the Sentinel Newspaper. The deadline is tomorrow. So I called the little darling kittens into the bedroom, got their kittie toys out and hoped that I could get this done in a half hour. My own kittie, Spiderman, looked down at me from the bed wondering why I was laying on the floor frantically trying to get the kittens to pose adorably together for the paper.

The kittens were delighted with all the attention I was giving them and to show their happiness managed to lick the camera lens more than once, chew on the strap, climb onto my head and sit for awhile , chew on my toes, and take flying leaps from the bed onto my back. I took nearly 200 shots and used two different cameras. I have photos of a paw, part of one kittens back end and the other kittens head as they ran past me and lots of photos of them looking in the wrong direction. Now and hour and a half passed. I was hoping by now they would tire out and slow down. (because I was...) But that wasn't the case. They were so very wired. Finally I decided enough was enough. This was it! Just one more shot, and so I took a photo of Opie who was up on my dresser with my favorite Teddy bears and I couldn't believe it. The little rascal stuck his tongue out at me! This was my winning shot!

Was it worth crawling on my belly on the bedroom floor for an hour and a half? You betcha!
nite all!
Joyce

Thursday, August 2, 2007

2007-08-03T21:17:00.000-04:00

Farm Cat project continues!

Ann P from Windham, shown here, who is working so very hard with Safe Haven to end the barn cat population on her family property delivered 5 more kittens to SH this morning. So far the count is 10 kittens removed from the farm and there are more coming!

I meet Ann in the parking lot where she works early in the morning and we do the kitty transfer from her vehicle to mine then I take them to my home, and then to the vet and either care for them myself or transfer them to a waiting foster home.

These darling little ones went to Mann Mem at 10 and stole the hearts of all the women who held them. Amy who works at Mann weighed them in.

Toni Dianna Elvis
1# 6 oz 1#9 oz 1 #

The other two kittens were camera shy but they are lovely silver grey tabbies, one is Shilo and the other is so brand new to this rescue mission she is not yet named. That is one of the fun tasks foster volunteers get..naming these little ones!

Once home, and situated in a kitty condo, I realized these darling ones were going to need baths and nail trims . Many times kittens have diarrhea due to gastrointestinal parasites, and that was the case with these babies and so out came the towels and kitten shampoo and husband Tom helps not only to dry dishes but dry kittens tonight! I bathed them only from the waist down so the baths went fast and they weren't very stressed, in fact, they loved the attention and afterward I know they were more comfortable and for sure, they smelled much nicer!

Elvis gets his first bath. Thanks Tom for drying off each kitten!

All these babies need now is their dinner and medications and off to dream land..What a day they've had!

Safe Haven Daily Journal

2007-08-01T22:24:00.000-04:00

Wednesday Aug 1, 2007
Joyce McKay
10 PM:
Just took dear Titus (14 1/2 yr old Golden/Brittney) out to the field for the last call of the evening under a magnificent big old August moon and Titus and I both walked and talked about the day and we came to the agreement that Safe Haven had a very good day today.

Since Safe Haven is a small grassroots No Kill rescue group, we work on a shoestring budget and have no facility or office. Everything is done in the homes of it's members. The only way we can rescue is to have a strong foster volunteer program and when we get a new foster volunteer, I can't be much happier. Another foster home means we can save another kitty from harm. This makes Titus very happy too, as he adores kitties.

A wonderful family in Hollis just became a Safe Haven foster volunteer family and today Titus and I delivered 4 nine week old barn kittens to them that were on medication and needed socialization to be ready for adoption.

This family was so remarkable! They are all animal lovers and they were so eager to take on the responsibility and care of these kittens. We quickly set up the kitty condos and litter boxes and as they met each kitten they all "oohed" and "aahed" with the sight of each fuzzy face coming out of the kittie carrier. With this kind of enthusiasm, this family will have these four fearful kittens feeling confident and comfortable around people in no time! We can't thank this compassionate family enough for their kindness! Welcome aboard as our newest foster volunteer family!

Another thing to celebrate is about Mickey, our 12 year old beauty in our satellite location in Eliot at Pawsitive Steps. This morning a very nice woman inquired about Mickey and all her references worked out great and Mickey will be going to his new home by the end of the week! We are so happy to have Mickey find a wonderful family to live with and we are so grateful to Pawsitive Steps for their hospitality to our kitties. We are No Kill, and we work very hard to find homes for every animal that comes into our program. Senior kitties are extra special to us, and we take special delight in placing them in happy homes.

Upon arriving home this evening from Hollis, there was a little bag on my door. Titus hoped it had a dog treat in it for him, but instead, it had some donated cat food, and an envelope. Inside a check for $100 to Safe Haven from a friend to animals, Bonnie H. We thank you Bonnie for your kindness and for making the end of a busy day such a happy one!

We never know what tomorrow may bring. We might have some heart aches, we will for sure have some surprises. But-what we do know is that each day we are doing our very best to bring happiness and kindness to the animals that come our way. While doing that, we certainly do meet the nicest people!-

(These photos are of two of our newest foster volunteers peeking inside the kittie condo at their newest foster kittens!)

nite everyone!
Joyce

Let’s fill it up!

2007-07-05T19:39:00.000-04:00

Let’s fill it up!
By Joyce McKay, President

Safe Haven Humane Society needs your help donating lots of great saleable items for our July 28th yard sale at Pawsitive Steps, on Rt. 236 in Eliot. You can give us a call at 985-3550 when you have books and yard sale items ready for pick-up.

I hope this gives you the motivation to clear the clutter out of those closets, garages and attics. After all, this is yard sale season — and Safe Haven has perfected the art of yard sale fundraising.

Our last yard sale on June 23 in Wells was fun for everyone, and raised much-need funds for animal rescue, spaying/neutering and other medical care for the animals in our foster care. Our next one will be even better!

We’ve already gathered some terrific items that will be great bargains for you treasure hunters out there. While shopping at our July 28th sale you can get a relaxing massage by Safe Haven volunteer Judi , a registered massage therapist. Enjoy a tasty hot dog, popcorn and ice-cold soda. All the proceeds from our events go directly to pay the vet bills and supplies to care for the animals we rescue. While at the sale you can meet one or two of the playful kitties currently available for adoption.

Pawsitive Steps owner Becky Pelletier opens her heart and her shop to our orphans. Currently our boy Mickey is enjoying the digs at Pawsitive Steps. Mickey is seldom in his kitty condo. He’s stolen the hearts of the entire staff — even Cora, Becky’s Rottweiler (photo)—so he gets to run and romp freely. Mickey is one of the unofficial greeters at Pawsitive Steps.

Speaking of animals we rescue, all our kitties are doing just great. They’re enjoying the comforts of living the good life with our dedicated foster volunteers. But more kittens are waiting to come into our foster program — as soon as more of you sign up to be a foster volunteer! How about you? Anyone who loves animals should give fostering a try. Your heart will be warmed just knowing you saved a life, and you will get plenty of reward from your foster kittie. They show their appreciation by purring, rubbing their heads against your leg, sprawling their little bodies across the book you’re trying to read, blocking your view of the computer monitor while you’re trying to write an article for Making It at Home, etc. These precious little imps try to steal all your attention, and pay you back with wet nose rubs and whisker tickles. Really, nothing compares to that! Please call Dori at 646-6324 for information about being a foster volunteer.

We Need Cat Food
Safe Haven desperately needs canned cat food. We have hungry momma cats like Buttercup (photo) and growing kittens like Daisy Mae (photo) with huge appetites. Canned Friskies and 9 Lives cat food would be great donations to make to our group. We also need toys for our foster cats and kittens, like little fuzzy toy mice and balls for them to chase. Buttercup, one of our new mommas, just asked me to ask you all if you would donate some tasty kitty treats, too. She especially deserves to be spoiled after nursing and caring for her litter all these weeks!

Thanks for all you do to help all the animals. Your kindness to these homeless orphans often means the difference between life and death to many of them. As you know, some are found roaming homeless, others are surrendered because they are suddenly considered an “inconvenience.” We get calls from people saying if we don’t take their animal they will have it killed. So please realize that we’re not exaggerating when we say that your donation, or volunteering to become a foster volunteer, means you are literally making it possible for us to save another animal from a terrible fate. Now…please—go clean your attics out and give us a call!

Kittens rob Kennebunk Savings Bank's (empolyees hearts!)

2007-06-29T14:26:00.000-04:00

Safe Haven Receives Grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank

Thanks to all of you who cast your votes for Safe Haven Humane Society in Kennebunk Savings Bank’s Community Investment Ballot, our no kill rescue group was chosen to receive a very generous grant for $2,691. We were so excited that two of our kittens insisted on visiting the bank with me to receive this generous gift. Opie and Mayberry raced thru the Wells branch and stole the hearts of employees, customers—everyone who caught a glimpse of them as they scampered by. These little guys are a perfect example of where your money goes when you support Safe Haven.

All of the volunteers and Board are excited and honored to receive this generous donation. Kennebunk Savings Bank should be saluted for having a program like their Community Investment Program, which supports the area’s non-profit groups that need financial support so badly.

Safe Haven Humane Society will use this donation to continue spaying and neutering as many cats as possible, so we can win the pet overpopulation problem our communities suffer. This money came from our community, and this is how Safe Haven will return it to you.

Many of the animals we rescue from our neighborhoods are in very poor condition. Many need vet care, medication and surgery. They also need nourishing food, litter and other supplies to prepare them for adoption. Those who don’t find homes immediately never face a death sentence. They will stay with our selfless volunteers until their miracle happens. Eventually, some kind soul comes to us and adopts an animal that others consider “unadoptable.” Of course, this-long term care requires funding so their needs are met. Your votes for Safe Haven, and the donation that resulted, will help our no-kill work to continue. I only wish we could thank each of you personally.

Upcoming Events:

Last week’s yard sale at Wells Jr. High was a whopping success. The proceeds totaled more than twice as much as last year’s one-day sale! Many happy shoppers commented on the good quality and great prices. Thanks to all who donated and shopped!

Our next yard sale will be July 28 at Pawsitive Steps, 820 Harold L Dow Highway (Rt. 236) in Eliot, ME. Mark your calendar! We still need saleable home & garden items, and items for men such as (working) tools in good condition. As you clear out your clutter, please remember Safe Haven, and how your unwanted items can help feed and care for an unwanted or homeless pet. Call Safe Haven at 985-3550 and we’ll arrange for drop-off or pick-up.

July 7-8, Safe Haven will be at the Summer Solstice Craft Show at Wells Elementary School on Rt 109. Please come by and visit with us. Learn about our No Kill cause and how you can help end needless suffering. We would love to meet you!

Food donations needed!
Our food donation box is at Wells Super Food Market in the Wells Center Plaza at the junction of Rt. 1 and 109. Safe Haven has many mouths to feed—and litter boxes to scoop! We are in desperate need of 9 Lives or Friskies canned cat food and scoopable litter. Please consider buying and donating a few of these items. You can drop them in the donation box or give us a call at 985-3550. Thanks!

Donations now accepted at Maine Redemption Center
Please consider donating your receipts when you redeem bottles and cans at the Maine Redemption Center on Rt. 1 South in Kennebunk. We now have a donation box there for your convenience. Thanks!

Book “Sale”
We had a mini book sale going on in Kennebunk on Cat Mousam Road. We offered books for free, and requested a donation to Safe Haven. Unfortunately, on the first day, someone stole the money—and our donation box—right off our table. We considered ending our sale, but decided not to let one bad apple ruin it for the animals in our care, and so the books for donations drive continued.

Adoption event and fundraiser pics

2006-11-30T20:26:00.000-05:00

Event pictures

2006-11-30T20:23:00.000-05:00

November 25th Adoption Event

2006-11-30T20:18:00.000-05:00

Our recent adoption event and fundraiser was a big success, the weather was mild and the tourists were out along Route 1 where our event was held. Many wreaths, candy tins and Christmas socks were sold, all proceeds to benefit Safe Haven. We would like to give a huge thank you to Paula of Reigning Cats and Dogs for the use of her shop. Two of our kitties found a permanent home that day.

2006-10-29T10:46:00.000-05:00

2006-10-28T13:01:00.000-04:00

More Care2 Stickies Here!

Press Release Oct 2006

2006-10-10T20:39:00.000-04:00

How about Driving Miss Daisy Home?
Now’s your chance to meet Miss Daisy, Chester and Charlie. If you have been wanting to add love and companionship to your life, adopting one (or all three!) of these sweet animals is the answer. (see pictures on www.safehavenhumanesociety.org )

These are Safe Haven’s Kitties of the Week. We think they are Bengal-mix, blessed with properties unique to that breed. Bengals have gorgeous, shiny camouflage coats, perky attentive ears, amazing physical prowess and an extremely high level of intelligence. They’re nearly dog-like: extremely playful, laid-back, active, affectionate, curious. Many of them actually like water! Bengals don’t mellow with age — they keep their high energy level throughout their lives. They enjoy interactive toys, lots of one on one attention and affection. In fact, they can become downright mischievous without it. They are wonderful and unique companions, beautiful and loving.

Miss Daisy is the mother of 4 kittens, including Chester and Charlie. This striking sable tiger has been a devoted, loving mother to her litter. Miss Daisy earned her name because she loves to ride in cars. That’s pretty unique in itself, but check out her sleek body, long legs and Bengal mix heritage. Before she was brought to Safe Haven, she lived in a very active house with dogs and cats, and she blended into the family life with no problem. In foster care, she has proven to be a cat that welcomes affection and love. She nudges your hand with her head to encourage you to give her the love she is so worthy of. Her foster mom, Lauren, writes: “While she’s not quite a lap cat yet, she enjoys lounging next to you on the floor, purring or relaxing on a windowsill watching the world outside.”

Chester is ready to meet the big world.. This exotic-looking Bengal mix kitten is the adventurous explorer of the litter. His striking gray and silver marble coat are quite handsome. Chester is a very curious and outgoing kitten and loves meeting people and other animals. His playful antics provide nonstop entertainment. If you’re looking for an energetic buddy to hang out with — and love — then Chester is your guy.

Charlie is very handsome, too. If he wasn’t a boy, you’d say he was pretty. He’s Bengal mix with medium/long smoky-gray tiger markings. His soft coat and lovely green eyes will melt your heart. A real lover boy indeed, Charlie enjoys having his little ears rubbed. He’s very playful and silly and will make a wonderful family companion. If you have room in your home and your heart, Charlie would be a wonderful forever friend.

Interested? These little love bugs will go fast. To speed up the adoption process, visit SafeHavenHumaneSociety.org and download our adoption application, then call 985-3550. Safe Haven is a no-kill animal rescue whose unpaid volunteers work hard to end the misery of animals who are homeless and in harm’s way.

Can you help? We desperately need more foster volunteers so we can rescue and provide homes for more animals. Donations are always needed to enable us to continue our good work. We accept paypal. If you have a little love and a few hours to spare, please call Safe Haven at 985-3550.

Foster volunteer update about Miss Daisy and her kittens!

2006-09-13T22:23:00.000-04:00

Lauren, our newest foster mom, is enjoying having Miss Daisy and her kittens living with her. Each day she discovers more of their individual and unique qualities, and today she shared them with us. She originally posted this as a comment, but it is so delightful we wanted to post it at the top of our blog so you would be sure to see it!

Miss Daisy-
Miss D. seems to enjoy lounging on the floor with her legs stretched while her babies run circles around her, occasionally one will pounce on her tail and give it a few swipes. She enjoys being petted, but is not keen on being picked up or lifted for long periods. She will allow you to lift her but will squirm until she reaches her destination. So far all feeding times she has been the only one to linger at the plate while her little ones toddle off for other adventures.

Fern-
She may be the little lady of the group but boy does she play hard. Anything they can do she tries to do better. She is forever chasing after her bigger brothers Charlie and Chester. But when momma cat chirps Fern is the only one who stops and listens. She is definitely mamma's little girl!

Charlie-
Mr. Fuzzy, he seems to be the one to instigate things only to then sit back and watch the others keep the chaos going. A beautiful gray powder puff with mamma's green eyes. I think he knows he is beautiful.

Chester-
He has long legs and an exotic light gray marbling to his charcoal gray coat. Chester definitely has mama cats sleek look and extra long legs. He an charlie are the two largest kittens and most rambunctious. The are never too far from one another and are always close to trouble! Confidence it not an issue for this young guy.

Peek-a-Boo-
PB is a brave little guy, he is the smallest of all but he tries to keep up with the others. He has staked a claim under a chair and that is his territory partner. If any one comes near he arches his back, plants his feet and shows 'em who's boss...well that is until they get too close and then he hastens a quick retreat!

Thank you, Lauren!

Peek-a-Boo...I see you!!

2006-09-02T15:06:00.000-04:00

Hello Safe Haven !

I just thought I'd peek in and say "Hello" to you all and thank you on behalf of myself, my mommy cat and my 3 siblings for the medicine, vet exam, kitty condo, soft blankets and food! We are doing much better now and as soon as a foster home opens up we will move on and then we will wait until someone falls in love with us and adds us to their family! (Maybe you?)

I know you have all heard about us, but I thought I'd just poke my head in so you can see me. It's my way of playing "peek-a-boo!"

It's hard to believe to look at me now that just a week ago I was very sick and weak because of URI -- sorta like a kitty cold. I couldn't even lift my head! My eyes were stuck shut and my nose too! I wasn't even hungry and I was forced to take kitten formula and medicine!! YUCK!! But now you should see me go! I'm toddling, playing, exploring and learning how to pounce! Why don't you adopt me as soon as I'm ready?

Have to go see my mom now -- it's dinner time!

Love,
Baby Kitten

PS: Please help Safe Haven keep rescuing little guys like me! Go here for more info.

Bringing home a new cat or kitten?

2006-09-02T11:32:00.000-04:00

Where do you put the litter box, bedding and food? Should your new family member be isolated for a while, or thrown in with the rest of your pets? How do you introduce your dog to this new family member?

The answers to these and many other questions are in a new article freshly posted on Safe Haven Humane Society's website.

Thank you for opening your heart to one of our rescued animals!

Feline Aids kitties have dreams too!

2006-08-31T00:11:00.000-04:00

And Safe Haven makes them come true for Feral Kitty "Bob"!!!

Safe Haven's most recent feral rescue kittie upset the applecart Monday when he tested positive for Feline Aids during his vet appointment. Now what? Safe Haven being a No Kill Humane Society, does not have animals euthanized if they test positive and are showing no clinical signs of advanced illness. This kittie is very healthy, young and can live out a long and happy life. But where??? Eleanor to our rescue...er....to this cat's rescue that is.

Our dear friend Eleanor without hesitation said she would take this fellow, who was named Bob, by the gals at the vet's office because of his bobbed tail.He is in a kitty condo now, but will eventually be moved to a kittie facility once Eleanor and the "Elves with hammers" at Safe Haven get going with rolls of insulation and lots of fencing so feral kitties can enjoy life indooors AND outdoors safely!

And so a long story short, Bob is happily resting from his capture that started in a Have a Heart trap that was set in a cornfield with the hopes the farmer would catch a racoon that was raiding his cornfield....to living the good life with a woman with a gentle voice and a very big heart.

Thank you so much to Eleanor and all Safe Haven volunteers and members who work hard to make miracles happen to the undogs in the cat world.

Joyce McKay
President

Update on feral cat!

2006-08-25T22:33:00.000-04:00

Safe Haven Humane Society - Maine

Good news! The feral cat that was trapped this week is recuperating this evening from her spaying. We have named her Janie and Safe Haven has stepped in to give her the medical attention she needed and deserved. Her tests came back showing no sign of Feline Aids or Feline leukemia and she is good to go with her rabies and distemper shots. Now, she will be released to where she came from. I spoke with the man who trapped her and he said she can stay on the property until a place is available for her and as a last resort she can use one of his sheds for shelter.

The cold months are coming quickly to Maine, and this evening is chilly enough to put the thought of winter into my mind. We really would love to find a home for this cat. Perhaps you know someone who has a barn where she could live. Better yet, maybe you know of a feral cat opening at a no kill facility. If you have any ideas or want to offer ideas about how to find this feral cat a safe and warm home please share with us asap. If you want to donate funds to help pay for the care of this feral cat or the next one, Safe Haven could use the help. Any donation is welcome to help us continue our lifesaving work.

Meanwhile, the telephone has brought a new message that the man now has a male feral cat in a humane trap...Can we help???? And so it goes.....

Thank you.
Joyce McKay
President

Love is all they need...well and money, housing, vet visits...and.....US!

2006-08-24T10:55:00.000-04:00

I have a hunch that if you are reading this blog, you care a great deal about animals. I'm hopeful that if you care a great deal, as I do, that you will help me think "outside the box" and solve a community problem that is a life or death situation for many cats.

Our southern Maine area is urgently in need of safe places for feral cats. I received a call just yesterday with a person who trapped a mother feral kitty in a Have a Heart trap and the only place to take it is to the local shelter, where it would be euthanized. He asked if Safe Haven had a place for her. I told him I would make calls and think about this and get back to him.

No one has a place for this cat. I called him back and told him that perhaps if the place where he trapped it, which is his neighbors, would be willing to let the cat live there until we have a place, Safe Haven would pay for its spaying and its testing and shots etc. I haven't heard back from him. I am praying that the cat is still alive and that his neighbor will have good sense to take us up on this offer.

I had a sleepless night thinking about this cat.

Won't you please help Safe Haven create programs that will help feral cats? What do we need? We need:

Immediate funding to help pay the bills for these ferals
Barn locations where the owner will be willing to let the cat live with Safe Haven helping with advice and food if and when neccessary.
We need to be working on creating a Safe Haven location for these ferals, where we can house them in a wonderful humane environment. A barn or a building with a huge fenced in area would be a wonderful solution for them.
We need volunteers to help us achieve this goal.
Then once we have it, we need volunteers to help us maintain it so we save these guys. We are all they have. Let's not let them down!

We can't sit around and complain about shelters killing ferals if we sit back and do nothing to solve the problem. This problem is an opportunity for us all to exercise our compassion, our creativity in problem solving and our moral ethics. I know there is a great solution to this problem. It's us.

Please join us.

Joyce McKay
Safe Haven President

Killing is never the answer

2006-08-24T10:07:00.000-04:00

"Killing is never the answer. Fifteen years ago, 17 million dogs and cats were killed in shelters every year. As soon as we began to replace killing with intensive spay/neuter and adoption, that number began to drop, and is now less than 5 million. Killing feral cats is as pointless as was killing homeless pets. We know TNR is the humane solution, and we know it works. Wild About Cats! is a strong voice to get the message out: it’s time to adopt TNR as the only approach to feral cat management all over the country."
~ Michael Mountain, President, Best Friends Animal Society
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a full management plan in which stray and feral cats already living outdoors in cities, towns, and rural areas are humanely trapped, then evaluated, vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians. Kittens and tame cats are adopted into good homes. Healthy adult cats too wild to be adopted are returned to their familiar habitat under the lifelong care of volunteers.

Happy Endings!

2006-08-23T23:01:00.000-04:00

Safe Haven volunteers love happy endings.

All the hard work we do to raise the money to pay for kitty food and litter and to pay our vet bills is worth it over and over and over again, when we see an adoption like the one that happened this morning.

Our newest rescue found a wonderful home and now tonight we can all be very happy knowing that the kitten has a new name: Peggy Sue, and and is so very loved by her new family. She will be an indoor kitty and run and play in a big, wonderful house and be spoiled rotten by her new mom and dad. The last glimpse foster mom Joyce saw of Peggy Sue was of the little black and white kitten racing up the stairs as fast as her kitten legs could carry her, with her new family following close behind, laughing.

That is what our hard work is all about. Happy endings!

And they all lived happily after

2006-08-22T14:19:00.000-04:00

Once there was a little kitten who no one wanted. And she and her sisters were given away at a yard sale.

The woman who took her had another kittie who was jealous of the new kitten, and it would no longer come inside the house but instead sit outside and eat mice all day.This made the lady very unhappy.

The little kitten was never cared for properly and covered with fleas. And the woman got very mad because she became covered with fleas too. She had fleas on her sofa, on her bed and one day she looked in the mirror and saw a flea on her face. She was very mad at the kitten. In fact she didn't want the kitten at all anymore.

She told the wonderful people at Safe Haven that she would put the kitten, fleas and all, in a cardboard box and set it on her porch for them to take the kitten away.

Safe Haven said. No you won't. First we will treat the flea problem on the kitten, and then we will come with a kitty carrier and we will take the kitty away, with no fleas.

And so, Safe Haven did, and the kittie had a wonderful time going to Dunkin Donuts and to Dr. Angelos, and then home to nap. After her rest, she played in her room with a clawfoot tub, cupboards to climb into, a sink to curl up in and her own little bed to sleep in. She ate, and she ate, and she ate.

And she purred. In fact she purred so loudly that the other kitties that lived in the house accused her of snoring.

The phone rang all day. A few calls were for the little kittie! And one call was to make a date to meet the new kittie at RC&D at 9:30 the next morning.

And so the little kittie did go, and the kind people took one look at the little kittie and fell in love with her. And they watched her play with her new ball, that her god mother Joycie bought her, and everyone just stood back and laughed till they nearly cried at how happy this little kittie was.

Now the kittie is sleeping. She has had a busy 24 hours. She is dreaming of her new life with her new family. She has no fleas, her tummy is full, she has all her shots, her coat is brushed, and she is loved.Tomorrow her new family will come and take her to their big house in Kennebunkport. Here they will live happily ever after.

The end...

Happy ending: In less than 24 hours SH's newest rescue is vet checked and adopted. TurnS out that this couple is a friend of a friend of mine and she mentioned to this woman that if she ever wants a cat to call us. And so she did..last night.The couple is wonderful. They adore the kitten. This kitten was one of the sweetest I've yet to meet. Temperament was so ideal. I am so very pleased she got such a wonderful home.

~ Joyce McKay

National Feral Cat Day

2006-08-22T14:16:00.000-04:00

October 16, 2006 is National Feral Cat Day. Read more here:
http://www.nationalferalcatday.org/

August 19 yard sale

2006-08-21T00:14:00.000-04:00

Safe Haven's second yard sale of the summer was a huge success. We thank all our volunteers and donors who helped make this sale happen. Check back often for notices of our upcoming meetings and fundraisers. As always volunteers are needed for many tasks. Also foster homes are needed.

Welcome to our new blog

2006-08-20T23:29:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Safe Haven's new blog. We will be updating regularly and keeping you informed about our fundraisers and upcoming events. Check back often and visit our website at www.safehavenhumanesociety.org