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Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Cat

Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Cat

There are over 100,000 cats and dogs living without a home in the Triangle.

Fighting to reduce this number is a part of our mission. SAFE Haven and SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic is committed to spaying or neutering every cat or dog. We support spay/neuter because sterilization controls pet populations by preventing litters that risk being euthanized.

Pet overpopulation is a cycle resulting in millions of cats and dogs roaming the streets or even being euthanized every year. How does it happen?

Gestation periods for cats and dogs last about 63 days. Nursing mothers become pregnant right away. The average litter size is four. Mother’s offspring can start getting pregnant as young as four months old – leaving the overpopulation cycle to continue indefinitely.

The best way to break the cycle is to spay or neuter your pet. Here are some answers to common questions about spaying or neutering your furry friend:

Should I let my cat go into heat?
No. The American Veterinarian Association recommends cats and dogs should be spayed/neutered at five months of age. Although, cats and some smaller breeds of dogs typically begin going into heats as early as 4 months of age. There are no health benefits for your pet cat to go into heat before becoming fixed.

Is spaying/neutering painful?
During a spay or neuter surgery, cats and dogs are fully anesthetized, so they feel no pain. While cats can’t really tell us if they are in pain, our veterinary staff work to make kitties as comfortable as possible during surgery. All animals spayed at the SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic receive pain medication before their surgeries and we also offer pain medication to go home for an additional fee.

With any surgery, there is tenderness around the incision and your pet may be more tired than normal but usually return to normal activities after about a day.

Why is spaying/neutering so expensive?
It doesn’t have to be! There are places in the Triangle that offer low-cost or even free spaying/neutering to pet owners in need. The SAFE CARE Spay/Neuter Clinic can work with you to make fixing your pet more affordable! Request an appointment here.

Is spaying/neutering safe for my cat?
While all surgery comes with some risk, spaying and neutering are essential for your pet’s health and safety. Spaying your lady kitty helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer. Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age according to the ASPCA.

For more information on spay/neuter services in the Triangle, visit https://www.safecareclinic.org/.

We’re Hiring!

We’re Hiring!

SAFE Haven for Cats has a-meow-zing staff members who help ensure we can save lives every single day! We have several positions open so if you think you’d be a great fit, please apply!

    • We’re looking for an experienced Volunteer Coordinator to manage our large contingent of volunteers, recruit for new and existing volunteer opportunities, and be an important team member in growing our great volunteer program. Recently voted the best non-profit in the WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards, SAFE Haven for Cats is a high-energy volunteer organization that provides the community with opportunities at our animal shelter/adoption center, at our high volume spay/neuter clinic, and at the many events we attend in the area. At SAFE Haven, it’s all about the cats, and the cats do love their volunteers! If you have managed volunteers and coordinated volunteer-centered events at non-profits before, we would love to speak with you about this position. Please contact Patti at patti@safehavenforcats.org for more information.
    • Do you have a retail or hospitality background? Would you like to apply your awesome customer service skills to a great part-time job in a cats-only adoption center? If helping our cats find forever homes gets you excited, please consider a role at SAFE Haven for Cats! We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist with our adoption program. Weekends are a must. The hourly rate is $12 to $15 per hour depending on experience. Contact Patti at patti@safehavenforcats.org if you’re interested.
    • Are you looking for a career in animal welfare? Do you speak “Meow” fluently? If you answered yes, you should reach out to us! We are looking for both full-time (40 hours/week) and part-time (24 hours/week) Cat Care Associates who can assist with all of the duties related to animal care in our shelter: feeding, handling, medicating, and providing enrichment and socialization opportunities. You will be working with cats from the time they arrive to the time they are adopted. Evening and weekend availability is required. Full-time opportunities come with vacation and other benefits. Starting hourly wage: $12 to $16 per hour depending on experience. Email Patti at patti@safehavenforcats.org if you’re interested.
Keeping Your Cat Happy and Healthy with the Vet

Keeping Your Cat Happy and Healthy with the Vet

Whether your cat is an independent soul or your constant companion, they need good care to thrive. Here’s a look at what that means when it comes to veterinary care. 

Do cats need annual wellness checks?
Yes! Cats can often mask how they’re feeling—especially if they’re under the weather. That’s why it’s critical to have your cat examined by a veterinarian every year. Older cats or those with behavioral or medical conditions may need to be seen more frequently. 

Even if your cat seems healthy on the outside, an underlying problem may be lurking on the inside. Fecal exams, blood and urine tests, and other tests that screen for infectious diseases, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), may be required, based on your cat’s age and lifestyle. 

What types of questions will the vet ask me about my cat?
Just as your cat needs to be physically healthy, it needs to be emotionally healthy, too. Your veterinarian will ask questions about your cat’s environment—whether there are other pets or children in the house and how your cat interacts with them, what kind of playful activities your cat participates in, and so on— and inquire about any behavioral issues that need attention. 

From questions about the type of food you’re feeding and the frequency of meals to assessing your cat’s body condition score, your veterinarian will want as much information as possible to determine if any adjustments need to be made in your cat’s feeding regimen in order to keep it in the healthiest weight range. 

Should my cat get vaccinated?
Yes! Even if your cat spends most or all of its time indoors, it may still be at risk for certain preventable viral diseases. Your veterinarian will assess your cat’s risk and develop a vaccine schedule specifically to its needs. Make sure your kitty has its rabies vaccine – all cats are required to have it. 

Should I take my cat to the vet for parasites?
Yes! Cats are prime targets for parasites such as fleas and ticks, not to mention the ones we can’t see like heartworms and intestinal parasites. Your veterinarian will discuss the best options to keep your cat free and clear of these dangerous pests. 

Do cats need dental care?
Yes! Dental disease doesn’t just affect humans — our furry friends are susceptible, too. Your veterinarian will examine your cat’s mouth and determine if further action, like a full oral health assessment and treatment under anesthesia, is needed to keep your cat’s teeth and gums in good shape. 

Sometimes, going to the vet may be a bit scary for both you and your cat. No need to fear! By maintaining your cat’s health with annual checkups, vaccinations, and asking questions of your vet, your kitty is sure to live a happy life and you’ll both find the vet’s office a place of care, not fear.

The Cat Chronicle – January 2023

The Cat Chronicle – January 2023

Fostering Fun

Join us from 6-8 p.m. on January 18 for Foster Night, a time to celebrate current and future foster volunteers! Current foster families can meet, mingle, share stories, and trade tried and true secrets to foster success! Are you interested in fostering but wonder if it’s a fit for you? Meet staff and current volunteers who can answer all your questions. Come for the food but stay for the community and lively discussion!


Get Ready to Dance, Laugh and Love Our Cats!

Tuxedo Cat Ball returns on Friday, April 21, to the North Ridge Country Club. There will be excellent food, delicious wine, silent and live auction items as well as your favorite songs to get down to on the dance floor. Get your tickets now and save with the Early Bird discount!


Help the Tuxedo Cat Ball

In addition to getting your tickets for a great night at Tuxedo Cat Ball, here are two other ways to help ensure a successful night!

  • Our generous sponsors of the Tuxedo Cat Ball help make it possible to find homes for 1,300 stray and abandoned cats and kittens each year. If interested in learning more, email Pam at pam@safehavenforcats.org.
  • Our auctions – both silent and live – are always exciting and raise an amazing amount of money to help our kitties. From themed baskets to experiences, we have something for everyone. If you’d like to donate an auction item, contact Farryn at farryn@safehavenforcats.org.

Tips for Chilly Cats

Wintry weather can be hard for humans, but it’s also hard for cats in the community. Here are a few tips to help keep kitties healthy during cold months:

    • If you leave food out for stray cats, leave a little more than you normally do. Cats need extra energy to stay warm and extra food can help them conserve it.
    • While you’re staying inside and warm, use your arts and crafts talents to make DIY feral cat shelters that give cats a safe, warm place to stay. Here’s an easy tutorial to follow.
    • Check under your car’s hood and around your tires before driving – cats sometimes curl up in engines to stay warm!

Click here for more tips on winter safety from our friends at Alley Cat Allies


Looking Forward

We have a lot of great things planned for 2023 and we hope you’ll join us for all of them! How can you learn what’s happening? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. You can also check our Events calendar regularly and continue reading the Cat Chronicle!



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How to Prevent Inappropriate Scratching

How to Prevent Inappropriate Scratching

Scratching is normal cat behavior. It serves to help cats groom their front claws and leave marks on your cat’s kingdom. Scratching also helps cats stretch their muscles, but damage to furniture or the beloved wood around your house is a bummer. You can live with your tiny tiger in peace! Scratching posts are the solution, giving your cat an acceptable spot to fully scratch and groom themselves.

Where should I put my scratching post?
Place the post in an accessible area of the house—not in the back of the laundry room or closet. If the cat is scratching a particular piece of furniture or carpet, place the post next to that furniture or over that piece of carpet and slowly move it (about 3 inches per day) to the desired location.

How tall should my cat’s scratching post be?
Most cats prefer posts that are at least 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall (30-42 inches). Many cats prefer a vertical scratching post, but some prefer horizontal ones. Experiment to find their favorite. If you choose a vertical post, make sure it’s sturdy so the cat doesn’t push the post over.

What’s the best scratching post material for my cat?
Sisal fabric is popular for its heavy-duty material and satisfying sensation for scratching cats. Some cats prefer sisal ropes, cardboard, wood or even loop carpets. Don’t be afraid to experiment with material to find the best post for your cat.

How do I get my cat to use its scratching post?
Entice your cat to use the post by rubbing catnip on it and holding treats or toys partway up the post to encourage stretching and scratching. You can attach an appealing toy, such as feathers, at the top of the post. Reward your kitty for every interaction with the scratching post—as the cat approaches the post, touches it and finally scratches it.

How do I stop my cat from inappropriate scratching?
Placing double-sided sticky tape or aluminum foil on inappropriate areas can help deter scratching. Cats don’t like the feel of these materials on their feet and this helps direct the cat to the post. Spray bottles with water and cans of pennies or nails can also help redirect inappropriate scratching behavior.

Happy scratching!