SAFE Haven for Cats, the Triangle’s leading no-kill cat shelter and clinic, is pleased to announce the appointment of Annie Schmidt as its new Executive Director, effective December 1, 2025.

Annie is an experienced nonprofit leader and capacity-building strategist with over a decade of success in strengthening organizations and advancing community well-being. Most recently, she served as Senior Manager of Field Capacity Building at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she helped state organizations nationwide grow stronger, more equitable, and more effective.

As the former Executive Director of NAMI Wake County, Annie transformed a volunteer-run affiliate into a thriving nonprofit with professional staff, expanded funding, and inclusive, evidence-based programming. Her leadership has been recognized with honors such as NAMI NC Affiliate of the Year and United Way of the Triangle’s 10 Leaders to Watch.

Annie holds a Master of Science in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida and certificates in Nonprofit and Volunteer Management from Rollins College. She has also worked with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Children’s Home Society of Florida, and the Florida Literacy Coalition. Annie is also the proud mom of two cats, Cortez and Sasha.

“I’m thrilled to join SAFE Haven for Cats,” Annie shared. “This organization’s compassion, commitment to community, and dedication to every cat’s well-being are truly inspiring. I’m honored to build on that legacy and help even more cats and people in the Triangle thrive together.”

Throughout the transition, SAFE Haven’s shelter and clinic teams remain steadfast in their mission to provide the best possible medical care, nutrition, and love to every cat in our care.

Under Annie’s leadership, SAFE Haven will continue to grow its lifesaving programs and serve as a trusted resource for cat lovers across the Triangle.

Media Contact:
Dawn Crawford
720-231-1930
dawn@bcdcideas.com

Pet Food Donation Drive | November 12–23

No One Should Face an Empty Bowl

Through November 23, SAFE Haven for Cats is hosting a Pet Food Donation Drive to help feed cats in our shelter and support local families facing food insecurity. This season of gratitude, we’re asking our community to come together and ensure pets are well cared for during the holiday season.

Feeding Cats in Our Shelter

At SAFE Haven for Cats, every meal tells a story of care and compassion. The food we provide isn’t just nourishment; it’s comfort, healing, and hope for cats waiting for their forever homes.

Many of the cats who come to us are underweight, recovering from illness, needing a specialized diet, or learning to trust again. Nutritious food helps them rebuild their strength, gain confidence, and prepare for adoption. A full bowl means more than a meal; it means safety, love, and the start of a new life.

Your donations help fill those bowls and keep our shelter stocked so every cat in our care has what they need to thrive.

Feeding Our Community

When families are struggling to put food on the table, their pets struggle too. Right now, the need is greater than ever. No one should have to choose between filling their own plate and filling their pet’s bowl.

Food stamps and SNAP benefits cannot be used to feed pets, so people often use human food to feed their pets, which is more expensive and less healthy. Or they go without so that their pet doesn’t, cutting into their own already limited supply of food for themselves.

Since we opened our doors to the Pet Food Pantry in 2012, your donations have been a lifeline for thousands of families across the Triangle. Keeping pets fed, healthy, and right where they belong: at home and loved. But when our shelves run low, we rely on your kindness to restock them.

In the past year, our Pet Food Pantry has seen an increase in demand. In 2025, several local pet food pantry programs closed, leaving SAFE Haven for Cats’ Pet Food Pantry as the only dedicated pet food pantry in the Triangle. That means more families are turning to us than ever, and we need your help to meet that need.

Every bag or can you donate does more than fill a bowl; it fills hearts, brings relief, and keeps families together. Please donate today.

Items of Most Need:

• Sealed, unexpired dog and cat food (wet or dry)
• Cat litter

Donate from Home

Shop our Wishlists on Chewy or Amazon and ship your donations directly to us.

Drop-Off Details:

November 12-23
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SAFE Haven for Cats — 8431 Garvey Drive, Suite 137, Raleigh, NC 27616
Look for the box in our lobby!

Your kindness today helps ensure no one faces an empty bowl tomorrow. Together, we can fill the bag and feed the love.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a real-life rescue story – the kind you see on Animal Planet?

Now’s your chance!

For the first time ever, SAFE Haven for Cats is giving one lucky winner and a guest exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to our SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic. You’ll join Dr. Tiffany Kutner and her incredible team for three hours as they perform surgeries from spay and neuter to other procedures like dental extractions, eye surgeries, and more that help care for cats who depend on them for a second chance.

You’ll see what makes SAFE Care truly special: the precision, teamwork, and heart that go into every surgical procedure. You’ll witness firsthand how your support transforms fear into hope and second chances into forever homes for our SAFE Haven cats.

During your time with the team, you’ll see:

• What it takes to spay or neuter cats
• How this one surgery can reduce the number of homeless cats
• The SAFE Care Clinic team work together to provide top-notch care for the animals we serve

Whiskers and Wellness: The SAFE Care Experience

🎟️ How to Enter:
1 entry for $500
5 entries for $1,000 – best value!

GHOST TICKET: Want to support without stepping into surgery? Buy a Ghost Ticket for $50 to cheer from the sidelines and help more cats get the care they deserve. With an ever-increasing need, your support can help us provide more surgeries, which means fewer homeless cats. This level is NOT included in the raffle prize drawing.

This is your moment to go beyond adoption and donations and experience what it truly means to save lives every single day. Buy your Whiskers and Wellness: The SAFE Care Experience raffle ticket today!

🗓️ Raffle runs October 27 – November 7

The winner will be announced on November 10 and will have the opportunity to choose from select dates/times to join Dr. Kutner and the team for their unforgettable experience.

Your pets are family, and keeping them safe is what family does. Bring your cat or dog to SAFE Haven for Cats for our Vaccination & Microchip Clinic on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Rabies and distemper vaccines are only $5 each, and microchips are $15. Vaccines and microchips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are in line by 12:30 pm, you’ll be seen as long as our supplies last.

Vaccination and Microchip Clinic
Saturday, November 8, 2025
9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
8411 Garvey Drive, Suite 133C

Why Vaccinate Against Rabies and Distemper?
Rabies and distemper are both dangerous, highly contagious diseases, but the good news is, they’re easily preventable with vaccines. Protecting your pets protects your whole community. (And remember: rabies vaccination is required by NC law for all dogs and cats over 4 months old!)

Why Microchipping Matters
If your pet ever gets lost, a microchip gives them the best chance of making it home. Just the size of a grain of rice, this tiny device can be scanned by shelters and vets to reunite you quickly. Pets with microchips are up to three times more likely to be returned to their families.

Know Before You Go

• • Pet Cats: Must be in carriers.
  • Feral Cats: Must come in a trap. We will only be offering 1-year rabies for ferals; no other services are available at this time.
  • Dogs must be on a leash.
  • Payment will be taken at the event. Cash is preferred, but we also accept major credit cards.
  • You do not need to register in advance for this event.
  • You may need to stand in line outside of our facility to wait for your turn to be seen. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water!

PRICES

• • Rabies Vaccination: $5*
  • FVRCP (Cats – Distemper) Vaccination: $5
  • DHPP (Dog – Distemper) Vaccination: $5
  • Microchip: $15

* The 3-year rabies vaccine is available for animals with a valid and current vaccination certificate. The certificate must be displayed at check-in. Otherwise, the one-year rabies vaccine will be administered. We must have the rabies certificate. A rabies tag is not sufficient evidence of the pet’s vaccination status according to state law.
*The 3-year distemper vaccine is available for animals with a valid and current vaccination status. Please bring your pet’s veterinary records to the clinic and present them at check-in.