How many animals can SafeHaven house at one time?

We have 40 dog kennels, which, with groups of puppies or dogs being housed together means we average about 60 dogs at any given time. Our maximum capacity is about 80 dogs. We have 32 cat kennels in the cat room and 17 kennels for isolation, which means that with groups of kittens or cats being housed together we average about 80 cats at any given time.

We also typically have between 100 and 250 animals in foster care at any given time. Foster care is critical to the rescue process as it allows us to help animals who are not yet available for adoption, such as underage kittens and puppies, pregnant or nursing mothers with babies, ill or injured animals, or shy/under socialized animals.

How are adoption fees determined?

SafeHaven has a sliding scale of adoption fees for the animals that come through our shelter. Often, the younger animals and more popular breeds have higher adoption fees. This higher adoption fee is to cover not only the cost of their care (spay/neuter surgery, standard deworming and flea/tick medication, microchipping, vet visits, food, care, etc.) but also to offset the costs of other animals who are at the shelter for longer periods of time or require more intensive care.

Why didn’t you accept the animal that my neighbor tried to bring you?

Prior to being accepted for intake, all surrendered animals undergo a behavior test which determines whether they are suitable for adoption. Animals that are deemed by the staff to be too aggressive or that have a history of biting are not accepted by SafeHaven. We also do not accept feral cats for this reason. This policy is for the safety of our employees, volunteers, and potential adoptive families. Another issue is a lack of space, as we can only accept as many animals as we have housing or foster care homes for. For example, during the warmer months when each annual “kitten season” takes place, we may receive many calls a day to take in cats and kittens.

How are breeds and mixes determined?

The breed listed for each animal is a best guess. If the animal was transported from another shelter, the breed mixture was listed on their paperwork but is also an estimation. We do not collect DNA samples and test each dog. We encourage adopters to search for a personality that best suits their needs and lifestyle!

What can I do if I find kittens?

Wait, don’t kit-nap kittens. Their mom may be waiting for you to leave to care for them. Refer to this infographic if you find kittens. If you are still unsure what to do, please give us a call at 541-926-2924.