Last April, Patti Godin was appointed the Interim Executive Director, when Founder and President Pam Miller departed the organization. Ms. Godin recently informed the Board of Directors that she wants to move back to her Operations Director role, a role she held for six years; the Board, therefore, will begin the process of interviewing candidates for the Executive Director position and ultimately select a candidate to lead the organization, hopefully for many years.

“I am confident that the Board will choose a candidate who is future-focused, loves cats, and is fully aligned with our mission to save cats’ lives and prevent overpopulation,” Patti said. “As we head into the next 30 years of our existence, we need bold, innovative leadership to address the challenges in our community. By moving back to the role for which I was hired, I can better support the programs and our leadership in meaningful ways.”

SAFE Haven will retain the services of Armstrong McGuire, a local firm committed with a 20-year track record of building strong non-profits through leadership and resource development. Says Mary Ka Powers, Chair of the SAFE Haven Board of Directors: “Armstrong McGuire has the experience and tools to help our organization find not only the strongest Executive Director candidate, but also the one who amplifies our distinct message to our constituents, collaborates with our team purposefully, and leads us on an exciting journey in animal welfare.”

Our February workshop on building a shelter for community cats was a big success! Our easy-to-build project means even more cats will be protected from the cold if needed. 

Avery Gunther, outreach coordinator for SAFE Haven, led the workshop, which drew people from a wide area who work with cat rescues or trap-neuter-release efforts, or who live in places where feral cats are common. In some places, Gunther said, feral cats will try to shelter on people’s porches, leaving fur and dander on their outdoor furniture. “If you don’t want cats on your furniture, give them some furniture of their own,” Gunther said.

Laura Lee of Franklinton said she wanted to learn to build the shelters because she has four feral cats that have taken up residence outside her house; she sees them sometimes on her doorbell camera. She said she also works with a local cat rescue and would teach other volunteers there to build the shelters, and would show her mom, who works with a feline rescue in Charlotte.

Click here to read the News & Observer article.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event.

Ready to build your own home for cats? Download our PDF of instructions!

We’re hitting the GREEN to celebrate 30 years of SAFE Haven for Cat’s amazing work. Play 18 holes with us for a great cause – helping cats in our community!

First Annual Purrfect Putt Charity Golf Tournament
Monday, June 3, 2024 | 9 AM
North Ridge Country Club

Tickets
Get your friends together for a day of fun and felines! Join us as an individual for $200 per person or as a foursome for $700 (a $25 discount per ticket!).

Each ticket includes:

• 18 holes of golf at one of the best courses in the area
• Breakfast and lunch
• Opportunity to bid on silent auction items
• Complementary “swag bag”

Click here to get your tickets now. 

Be a Sponsor!
Sponsoring the tournament is a great way to advertise your business and get a few mulligans in your back pocket.

By joining our golf event, you’re not just perfecting your swing – you’re also helping create a haven for cats in need. Your sponsorship and donations directly support SAFE Haven, ensuring every cat gets the love, care, and forever home they deserve.

There are sponsorships available for every level of giving!

Questions? Contact Maddie at maddie@safehavenforcats.org.

Lauren Key has a hands-on role in caring for the cats in our community! As a veterinary assistant at the SAFE Care Spay/Neuter Clinic, she uses her knowledge of handling and interacting with animals to create as fear-free of an experience as possible. Her experience in surgery also helps her practice good medicine.

Get to know Lauren:

Why did you choose SAFE Haven to work at?
I love the organization, mission, and the entire staff’s dedication to the cats.

What do you love about cats?
Everything! I love how each cat has its own, individual personality, and enjoy how low-maintenance they are. My favorite thing about cats is the boundaries they set!

Do you have any pets?

I do! I have Lilly, a 16-year-old Shih Tzu; Milo, 1.5-year-old Maine Coon mix; Lola (Milo’s sister!), also a 1.5-year-old Maine Coon mix; and Gypsy, a 1-year-old DSH kitten from SAFE Haven! She was formerly known as Green Bean Casserole and is in my picture, post-spay.

Fun Fact:
I plan to go to vet school and am applying this upcoming cycle. In the future, I want to own a purebred Maine Coon!!