Calling all cat lovers: Raleigh shelter needs help clearing kennels through adoptions

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Safe Haven for Cats is running an annual “Clear the Shelters: Ultimate Adoption Party” event Friday, and staffers hope their adoptable cats find a soft place to land. 

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Safe Haven for Cats is a no-kill shelter that takes in cats who are at risk of euthanasia at other facilities. They can only take in as many as they adopt out, so they’re hoping the public can help them make room for other cats in need. 

“We made the commitment to them for their entire life. So, we are here for them. We’re going to help get them together and help find the right person who is also ready to take care of them,” said Annie Schmidt, executive director at the shelter.

Safe Haven for Cats hosted their Clear the Shelters: Ultimate Cat Adoption Party on Friday. Cats and kittens are available for adoption for just $10 all day long. The shelter is open until 6 p.m. Friday. 

“We’re excited this is at the beginning of August, so that everyone can have a couple more weeks before school starts to help get to know their new family member, getting into routine,” Schmidt said. 

Caitlin DeGrose is a volunteer helping families find their new feline friend is volunteer. She adopted her own cat here.

“Obviously, the prevailing emotion is happiness because I want the cats to find their forever homes. But then it’s like, oh, I’m not going to see you anymore because you do get attached,” DeGrose said. 

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She makes sure to match personalities and lifestyles for the perfect fit.

“There are lots of different personality types and cats, which some people don’t realize, but a lot of it is just feeling out the personalities of the people versus the cats,” she said. 

Last year, 37 cats were adopted out during the adoption event. The goal this year is to surpass that. It’s an attainable goal as every person who walked into the shelter Friday morning, walked out with a new friend.

“It makes my heart flutter so much,” Schmidt said. 

Jazz, a rare female orange shorthair, is the shelter’s longest resident. She has some medical things going on and needs to be the only cat in the home, but she is the perfect girl for anyone who is looking for a chill, calm, and loving girl.

It’s the cat Schmidt most hopes finds a fur-ever home. 

“She loves just cuddling up next to you. We have a program called Whiskers and Words where kids read to cats and kids are always in there reading books to her, and she’s lying next to them. So, she’s going to be the perfect family member for somebody who’s just looking for that one cat that can be very chill, very calming, ready to sit next to you on the couch and just hang out,” Schmidt said. 

The shelter is running adoption specials and discounts all month. The shelter’s goal is to find homes for 100 cats by the end of the month. 

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