Cat of the Month: Avocato

Meet Avocato, the black cat with leading man energy!

From the moment you walk by his kennel, he’ll lock eyes with you using his one-of-a-kind gaze and adorably unique eye that only adds to his charm. This boy is on a mission to get adopted, and he’s not shy about it. He’ll reach through the kennel to grab your attention, hand out kitty kisses, and if subtlety fails, he is absolutely willing to yell about it. Avocato believes love should be loud.

A Little Full Disclosure:
Our guy is a little too round for his own good, so weight management food will be important to keep him healthy and strutting his stuff for years to come. He also gets eye drops once a day, but he takes them like a champ and doesn’t seem to mind the extra attention.

Most of all, Avocato is READY. Ready for a real home. Ready to stop trying so hard from inside a kennel. Ready for someone to finally say, “Yep. That’s my cat.” 🖤Ready to meet your leading man? Avocato is waiting for you!

Sips for Snips with Sneaky Penguin!

Raise a glass for a great cause! 🍻 Join SAFE Haven for Cats at the Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company in Raleigh for a purr-fect afternoon of craft brews, community, and cat love.

Every beer sold on Sunday, June 7, helps fund low-cost spay/neuter surgeries through the SAFE Care Clinic, preventing unwanted litters and keeping cats healthy across the Triangle.

Sips for Snips
Sunday, June 7, 2026
1 – 4 PM
Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company – Raleigh
7449 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Kick Off Summer with Purradise Found!

Join us on Friday, June 12, from 4-8 p.m. for a fun-filled summer adoption event featuring adorable kittens and lovable cats ready to find their forever homes!

Kittens will be available on a first-come, first-adopted basis until they’re gone, but don’t worry, we’ll also have plenty of amazing adult cats looking for loving families, too.

Whether you’re searching for a tiny sidekick or a laid-back cuddle buddy, your perfect match may be waiting for you at SAFE Haven. Celebrate summer and help a cat find their paradise.

Important: Kittens will not be adopted until the event starts at 4:00 PM on June 12.

How to Introduce Cats Successfully

June is National Adopt a Cat/Shelter Cat Month. The purrfect time to add a second feline friend to your family! Whether your current cat is lonely, has recently lost a companion, or you simply love cats, proper introductions are key to success!

Did you know that first impressions between cats take the longest to break? So taking the time to do it right sets the foundation for a peaceful relationship.

A proper cat-to-cat introduction typically takes about 2 weeks, although some cats may need longer depending on their personalities and the situation. But with patience and the right approach, most cats can learn to coexist happily (and some even become best friends!).

Check out our step-by-step guide to help you introduce your cats successfully.

Upcoming Events

• June 7, 2026: Sips for Snips with Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company
• June 12, 2026: Purradise Found Kitten Adoption Event

Thank YOU for Your Support

Cat of the Month: Lulu Lemon

Meet Lulu Lemon. The sweet, gentle soul who’s ready to bloom in the right home. 🌸

This 1-year-9-month-old brown tabby girl is shy at first, but don’t let that fool you. Lulu has a quiet strength and a personality that unfolds beautifully when given time and patience.

She’s happiest in her cozy hut bed, where she feels safe and secure. But come mealtime? She presents herself like clockwork, proving just how food-motivated (and routine-loving) she really is. Food is definitely the way to her heart!

Lulu enjoys gentle pets, though you’ll need to go slow and let her set the pace. She won’t ask for affection, but when you approach her calmly and respectfully, she’ll show you just how sweet she can be. She’ll even play by herself when the mood strikes, exploring on her own terms.

Lulu would thrive in a quiet, patient home where she has time to acclimate and come out of her shell. She’s not a cat who rushes into anything, but once she trusts you, the bond you’ll build will be worth every moment.

If you’re looking for a gentle companion who appreciates the slower, softer things in life and who needs someone willing to meet her where she is, Lulu Lemon might be your perfect match.

Meet Lulu Lemon and our other amazing adoptable cats!

Kitten Season is Here: What to Do When You Find Kittens

Spring and summer bring adorable kittens, but if you find kittens outdoors, the best thing to do isn’t always what you might think.

Before you scoop them up, pause. In most cases, the best place for kittens is with their mother. She’s likely nearby, searching for food or waiting for a safe moment to return.
If you’ve found kittens outdoors, here are some helpful resources to guide your next steps:

• Leave Them Be: A Guide to Kittens Outdoors – Alley Cat Allies. Learn when to intervene and when to wait for mom to return.
• Kitten Outdoors Poster – Alley Cat Allies. A quick visual guide to help you assess the situation.
• Kitten Season Flow Chart – Wake County Animal Services. Step-by-step guidance on what to do when you find kittens.
• Found a Kitten? Here’s What to Do – Best Friends Animal Society. Practical advice for assessing kittens’ age, health, and next steps.

When in doubt, observe before you act. These resources will help you make the best decision for the kittens and their mother.

Kitten “Baby Registry” Supply Drive – May 11-22

Kitten season means SAFE Haven needs your help! From May 11-22, we’re hosting our Kitten “Baby Registry” Supply Drive to stock up on the essentials our tiniest residents need to thrive.

This year, our supply list is online, making it easy for you to shop from home and have supplies shipped directly to SAFE Haven. From kitten formula and bottles to heating pads and tiny toys, every item helps us care for vulnerable kittens during their most critical weeks.

How to participate:
Visit our Kitten Baby Registry and choose items to donate. Supplies will be shipped directly to SAFE Haven to support kittens in our care. Thank you for helping us give kittens the care they need to grow strong and healthy!

Upcoming Events

• May 11-22, 2026: Kitten “Baby Registry” Supply Drive
• May 25, 2026: Memorial Day Observance (Closed)

Thank YOU for Your Support

Cat of the Month: Jazz

Meet Jazz, the buff tabby with personality, presence, and a weakness for head scritchies.

This 11-year-old showgirl is a true performer. She knows how to work a room, and she’s not afraid to let you know she’s arrived. Jazz has that classic entertainer energy, confident, charming, and ready for her spotlight moment.

But don’t let the showgirl persona fool you, Jazz is also incredibly loving and has one major weakness: head scritchies! If you’ve got good head scritch game, you might just win her heart.

As the only cat in her future home, Jazz will have center stage all to herself (exactly as it should be). She’s looking for someone who appreciates a cat with personality, presence, and a little bit of pizzazz.

If you’re ready to welcome a showstopper into your life, Jazz is waiting in the wings.

Ready to see if she’s the one for your home? Meet Jazz!

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? After Hours Event

On Wednesday, April 15, from 6:30–9:00 PM, we’re opening our doors for a special After Hours Event that’s all about reaching out to our neighbors to spread kindness, compassion for cats and people. You are welcome to stop by to learn more about what we do.

This evening is part of the Raj Mehta Day of Good, a celebration of kindness in action. We’re also gathering in memory of Tricia Crowe, a longtime volunteer whose gentle spirit helped make SAFE Haven feel like home for so many, both human and feline.

If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a cat into your life, this might be your moment. There’s a special kind of comfort in knowing someone is waiting for you at home.

How Energy Healing Can Help Your Cat

Curious about how energy healing can support your cat’s well-being? Join SAFE Haven for a special Community Education session with Kelly Bolz, a certified Healing Touch for Animals practitioner and intuitive energy healer.

You’ll learn how energy healing works, how it complements traditional veterinary care, and simple techniques to support your cat’s behavior at home.

Energy healing can help cats who are scared, anxious, or adjusting to change, as well as those experiencing illness, injury, or recovering from surgery. Many guardians have seen positive shifts in hiding, litter box challenges, and stress-related behaviors when energy work is used alongside veterinary care. 

Kelly had been working with Swiffer, our January Cat of the Month, and our team witnessed him become noticeably calmer. Learn a new way to help your cat feel their very best.

Dates:

Tues, April 21 – 10:00-11:00 am

Wed, May 6 – 6:30-7:30 PM

Cost: Free

Space is limited to 15 participants per session.

To RSVP, email Annie Schmidt at annie.schmidt@safehavenforcats.org with your preferred date.

Tuxedo Cat Ball – Last Chance To Buy Tickets!

Don’t miss the Tuxedo Cat Ball, our biggest celebration of the year!

Connect with fellow cat lovers for an unforgettable evening of delicious food, wine, inspiring stories, and exciting live and silent auctions, all while celebrating the incredible impact we’ve made together.

Tickets: $150 per person

Space is filling up fast! Secure your spot today and be part of this special night.

Each ticket includes:

• Buffet dinner, coffee, and dessert
• Two drink tickets per person 
• Silent & live auctions
• Free valet parking
• An evening celebrating 78,000 lives saved

Save the Date

April 10, 2026: Tuxedo Cat Ball

April 15, 2026: Won’t You Be My Neighbor? After Hours Event 

April 21 and May 6, 2026: How Energy Healing Can Help Your Cat

Thank YOU for Your Support