When Minty first arrived at SAFE Haven for Cats in early February, she was in critical condition. This three-and-a-half-year-old girl had been living with a colony of feral cats, but she wasn’t doing well. She was congested, struggling to eat, and clearly very sick.

Our veterinary team discovered Minty was battling multiple health challenges: a severe case of feline herpes, scarring on her eyes from untreated upper respiratory infections, and, ultimately, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a serious and often fatal disease caused by a mutated feline coronavirus. Minty’s journey wasn’t easy. She required two weeks of IV fluids and antibiotics given five times a day before she was even stable enough for lab tests.

For most cats in a shelter environment, an FIP diagnosis is a death sentence. But SAFE Haven can give the time and resources to provide needed care because of our community’s support.

Treatment for FIP is not only time-intensive, but it’s also the most expensive in-house medical treatment SAFE Haven provides. Dosages often need to change daily, based on even the smallest changes in a cat’s weight. On top of that, FIP caused permanent kidney damage for Minty, which has led to renal disease. While some cats can manage this with prescription diets, Minty was a picky princess when it came to her food. Instead, our team managed her care with daily kidney supplements and fluid treatments every three days.

Through it all, Minty showed remarkable resilience. She may have been fragile when she arrived, but her personality quickly began to shine through. She’s a feisty little firecracker who is selective about her friends, but when you’re in her inner circle, you’ll have one of the most loyal companions you could ask for.

Fox, one of our Shelter Veterinary Assistants, was one of Minty’s favorites. With her chosen humans, she loves affection, tolerates being picked up, and proves that cats with medical challenges still have so much love to give.

Caring for Minty required tremendous resources: specialized medications, daily treatments, veterinary oversight, and the dedication of our entire team. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Your support makes this possible. Because of generous donors, cats like Minty get the chance to heal, grow, and live their best lives.

Minty’s story is proof of what compassion can do. Thank you for standing with her, and with every cat who deserves a second chance.

Due to expected inclement weather, this event has been postponed until Saturday, November 8. 

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, September 27, 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, September 27, 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.

Mark your calendars because SAFE Haven for Cats is once again participating in Clear the Shelters. We want this year’s event to be our biggest yet! Join us on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for our Five Dollar Felines adoption event. For one day only, all adoption fees for adult cats and kittens will be just $5! Your furry family member could be waiting for you, and they’re only five dollars away.

What to Know About the Event

• We suggest you fill out the Adoption Interest Survey in advance online. Make sure you add in the “additional comments” section that you’re coming to Clear the Shelters! If you don’t have a chance to fill out the Adoption Interest Survey before August 22nd, you’ll be able to fill it out onsite.
• We anticipate a big turnout, so please be ready to wait a bit and prepare for the weather. We’ll be limiting the number of visitors inside the shelter at any given time. We’ll have:
• • Shaded tents outside to help you stay cool
  • Cold water 
• When you arrive, you’ll be directed to our office space, not the shelter. Follow the signs and volunteer directions!
• Once you’ve checked in and completed the Adoption Interest Survey, whether in advance or in person, you’ll be given a line number. You won’t be granted a number until you complete the Adoption Interest Survey, so filling it out in advance will save you time!
• Adoptions are first-come, first-served, so the earlier you arrive, the more choices you’ll have.
• We cannot hold cats. Our website may not update in real time, so some cats listed online may already be adopted by the time you arrive. If we clear the shelter before 6 p.m., we’ll post updates on our website and social media pages, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
• Requirements to Adopt:
  • You must be 21 or older to adopt.
  • Bring your own secure carrier if you have one (top-loading preferred, no cardboard carriers, please). Any cat you adopt must leave with you after the adoption process is completed.

While adoption fees are only $5, we’ll have some supplies, toys, and goodies available for purchase, plus we gladly accept donations to support our lifesaving work. We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.

Our goal is to send every single cat home with a loving family, and with your support, we can make it happen. Every adoption on August 22 helps us make space for the next cat in need.

The SAFE Haven team is here to help you meet your match and find your next best friend. Your patience and kindness are deeply appreciated as we work together to create happy new beginnings.

We can’t wait to see you and clear the shelter!