We all know that kitten season is a busy time for local shelters. But when a kitten needs extra medical attention they are especially at risk. Every spring our team leaps into action preparing the SAFE Care Clinic and SAFE Haven shelter for an influx of new arrivals. Unlike other local shelters, we have a unique ability to take in kitties who need a little extra TLC.

Our staff found three kittens in need of rescue from a partnering local county shelter. Although we were running low on kitten supplies, our team knew we were their only chance. They were covered in fleas and had severe diarrhea, but even as sick as they were, when they first arrived at SAFE Haven they immediately started nuzzling the medical team and purring. They knew they were in good hands and finally going to be safe. We named the three kittens, Chickadee, Cockatoo and Sandpiper.

Chickadee

Diarrhea can quickly cause dangerous dehydration in kittens, so we needed to address it right away. They were started on medication and a high caloric diet with lots of water. Within a few days, the diarrhea started to improve. Things were starting to look up for these kittens, but little did we know the battle wasn’t quite over.

Cockatoo

After they were sent to foster they soon developed upper respiratory infections and had to return to the clinic. They were started on daily medical treatments. Medical Director Dr. Jennifer started treating them with daily fluids, injectable antibiotics and anti-nausea medications. Once the upper respiratory infections started to improve, they developed more GI complications, as if they hadn’t already experienced enough! The medical team never gave up and continued to treat the kittens until they fully recovered. In just a few weeks, all of their symptoms were resolved, and they were finally ready to live their healthy, normal kitten lives!

Sandpiper

Despite all they had been through, with the medical treatments and illnesses, these three little babies were happy and snuggly the whole time! They greeted us each day with purring and nuzzling our hands! It was a long journey but worth all the hard work to see them happy and healthy now, ready for their forever homes!

Here at SAFE Haven for Cats we have the unique ability to rescue kittens in need of extra care. Help us help kittens like Chickadee, Cockatoo and Sandpiper! Become a monthly donor and help us give cats and kittens the care they deserve!

By Dr. Jennifer Bledsoe-Nix

Life can be tough for a kitty on the street, but as we’ve experienced here at SAFE Haven, there are many good Samaritans out there who are caring for stray and feral cats every day. We have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many of these caring individuals over the years allowing us to save more cats than ever before!

This past March one of these good Samaritans contacted our Shelter Director Sherri. She had been caring for three stray cats and became very concerned for their safety after another cat in her neighborhood was killed by a stray dog. The woman had been working very closely with the three kitties, feeding and socializing them every day. When she first started caring for them, they were semi-feral, and she wanted to give them a chance at someday getting adopted. Now, she was more concerned than ever for their safety.

SAFE Haven for Cats typically encourages individuals to focus their efforts on homing stray cats rather than attempting to socialize and adopt ferals, but if the cats are in danger or more social than a typically feral cat, it may be time to step in and help! Sherri recognized the urgency in this situation, but the shelter was full at the time, so she met with the rest of the staff and came up with a plan to work quickly on making room for them. In the meantime, she stayed in contact with the rescuer and gave her tips on how to keep the cats safe until SAFE Haven could take them.

The day soon came for the kitties to make their trip to SAFE Haven and begin a new chapter in their lives. The SAFE Haven team had decided to name the trio Marcelle, Fairy Girl and Catrice. The rescuer was very grateful and relieved to see the cats that she loved and cared for finally go to a safe and loving place. One by one, the three were united with families who would love and care for them for the rest of their lives!

Learn what YOU should do if you come across stray cats in your neighborhood and how to tell the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat.

“Earl is not handling the shelter environment well. He needs out very soon.”

This was the plea Granville County Shelter made on their Facebook page on behalf of a big kitty named Earl. SAFE Haven’s Shelter Director Sherri wanted so badly to help but SAFE Haven was full at the time. Earl would have to wait until one or a few of the cats got adopted.

This happens often since there are usually more cats than available space in shelters, especially during kitten season when kittens flood the shelters and get adopted quicker than adults. Fortunately for this big kitty space was freed up shortly after and Sherri was able to bring him back to SAFE Haven where he could begin the next chapter of his life!

Earl was clearly a fun character from his description on the Granville Shelter’s Facebook. “11 pounds of handsome! He’s laid back and ready to be your best buddy!” He was sweet but had a hard time adjusting to the chaotic shelter life. He would greatly benefit from the special care and patience from the SAFE Haven team to help calm his nerves.

Sherri and the other team members wanted to give him a fresh start, so they named him Calvin Klein to better match his handsome swagger. After just a few days, Calvin’s sweet and confident side began to shine as he grew more comfortable and calm with the people and other cats around him. He enjoys petting and playtime and is currently waiting for the next chapter in his life at his forever home!

When you adopt a cat from SAFE Haven you’re not only saving that cat’s life but you’re making room for another cat in need! If you’re interested in adopting Calvin or another one of our kitties, please visit our adoption page and complete an adoption application! Check to make sure Calvin is still available for adoption on our Meet the Cats page.