Safe Haven Humane Society

Recent Feature for Weekly Sentinel

In 2009, Safe Haven volunteers were trapping feral cats at a colony in Kennebunk. All of the kitties were black and white, with a tip at the end of their tail and shiny black and white shorthair coats. 

Ditto was one of them. She came to live in the back room of our very first thrift shop, a tiny space at 54 Post Road in Kennebunk. Ditto was very fearful at first but young enough to quickly outgrow her “feral-ness.” 

This no-bother kitty moved twice more with us to two more SH locations as our organization developed. Ditto is part of our cherished history. 

One of our most treasured stories about Ditto was a fateful vet appointment at Mann Memorial in Kennebunk, where Ditto showed how adventurous and shy she was. 

How? By escaping her cat carrier in the examination room, scrambling straight up the wall, pushing open the ceiling tiles and leaping into the unknown! 

For a day and a half (!) Ditto explored the clinic’s ceiling and walls. Dr. Angelos eventually hired a company to drill open his office wall to get Ditto out and back to Safe Haven. What a good sport he was!

Two years later, on a cold July night in 2011, we met Twilight. We were rescuing a feral cat in labor in a backyard. There, in the middle of a cold, dew-covered lawn was a terrified, beautiful, longhaired tabby busily giving birth. 

Beside her, her sister acted as midwife, licking clean the newborns. The night stars seemed magical, so we named this brave new mother Twilight. 

Watching from the hedge was a beautiful fox, alerted to the mewing of newborn kittens. Although the fox kept her distance, both cats were understandably stressed. 

It took hours to catch the mother. We cleverly placed her babies in a cat carrier under a porch. When momma crept in to feed them, we shut the carrier door. 

We raced Twilight and her kittens to a waiting foster home around midnight. We managed to capture her sister the next morning. We named her Foxy. 

Foxy gave birth two days later. 

Because they were so fearful, Twilight and Foxy were not adopted for years. Sharing the same shy personalities, they became good friends, taking comfort in each other’s company. 

Two adoptions failed because the home environments didn’t suit them. They once again live at the Safe Haven shelter. We’re looking for a very special home for them, with someone who will understand their past and cherish them as fine, shy kitties.

Ditto is now a sprightly, healthy 16 year old. Her dear friend Twilight is 14, still lovely and healthy. These two lifelong friends deserve a loving retirement home where they can enjoy sunny windowsills and be properly spoiled! 

Meet them at our shelter by calling 207-646-1611. Check them out on our Petfinder listings.

Safe Haven’s shop is open 7 days a week from 11-4pm. Located at 1784 Post Road it’s a treasure hunters dream and a great place to donate your best no longer needed items every Sat. from 12-3. We accept small furnishings, home décor, antiques, anything vintage, cookware, pottery, art, jewelry, gently used or new clothing and craft and pet supplies. 

Questions? Call 207-229-8314 Thank you for everything!

Want another kitty feature? Here you go…

Now that Rosa’s litter of 3 kittens are weaned, they’re are off to do their own things.

So Rosa and her twin sister Lola have big plans.

At age 2, they have their whole lives ahead of them. They even made a bucket list to include all their wishes. First of all, they want to stay together forever. They are so comfortable and happy together. They thrive around each other. 

So, no matter what, they must always stay together.

They would love to find a really sweet family who would spoil them and include them in their daily activities. They enjoy life and love to climb cat trees and cuddle with people. 

Here’s another thing on their bucket list. They’d love to just chill on the couch and watch movies with you, and probably curl up on your lap. They like the closeness of people.

Their final wish is that they be truly loved, because these two kitties will love and trust their humans deeply. And they deserve to receive just as much love back.

Rosa and Lola are magical kitties with coats of glowing black velvet. Their crisp yellow eyes are enchanting. They are so ready to enjoy the modest wishes on their bucket list. They’re waiting to hear from their future family.

FMI call 207-646-1611 or check them out here. Don’t hesitate, they’re very desirable with such dear personalities and beautiful looks!

Safe Haven has so much to be grateful for. Not only for all of our individual supporters who help us afford to keep providing the best medical care for each of our rescues, but also to the local business community. They often help us with our operating expenses as well. 

Recently representatives from Partners Bank in Wells came to both our shelter and our Cattail location. They presented us with a generous check of $1,500. Prior to that, they gave us funds their employees raised from a jeans day at the bank. These are a big help to our budget and we can’t thank them enough. 

Greg, the founder and owner of Nubble Light Candles,  recently presented us with a $400 check from the sales of cat candles. It was great to meet him and learn about his handcrafted soy candles. And of course we appreciate his generosity. 

Most recently, a huge thank you to John from Shaws Warehouse in Wells, and Mike from their trucking company. Last week they delivered a donation of 90 cases of Tidy Cat litter to our shelter. 90 cases! And thanks also to our shelter volunteers who teamed up to move these heavy cases into our shelter for storage. Safe Haven is truly blessed. Thank you, all!

Our shop at 1784 Post Road in Wells is open 7 days a week from 11-4. On Saturdays we receive donations from 12-3. We appreciate interesting, quality, functioning, unique items and anything vintage or antique. We have 2 levels of shopping in our store that we enjoy filling with curious and wonderful things for the treasure hunters who visit us. Each purchase helps to keep Safe Haven operating and saving the lives of the deserted and abandoned felines in our communities. Thank you all FMI 207-229-8314

Come visit Safe Haven’s adoptable kitties at our shelter 1420 Post Road next to Wells Library, weekdays from 10am-2pm, and Saturdays 9:30-11:30am. FMI 207-646-1611.

Our offices need manila folders, and our kitties need cardboard scratchers and cubbies to hide in.  Please do NOT donate dish sets, framed pieces, large lamps, any lamp that must be hardwired, large rugs, vacuums, floor steamers, or large pieces of furniture. 

Announcements

Safe Haven welcomes volunteers who love cats, have love to share and time to spare. Please apply to volunteer here. You will be amazed at how good it feels to get involved in our No Kill mission!