01/04/2026
Dear Friends,
One of the things I'm most proud of about Safe Haven is that we serve our communities first. It's not that we are against transferring from other states into Maine. Lord knows every animal deserves a chance to be safe and loved. We would like to do that too, but our local communities keep us so filled up and busy with cats in great need that there is never enough space to bring in out of state transfers.
Many times, we accept or rescue cats that are sick, elderly or not socialized or have behavioral issues that other shelters will not accept or simply will not return the calls to the desperate people reaching our for help. People tell us that often.
We ache when we know a cat is in harms way. We know the tough choices a person has to make, we also know that if we don't help, chance are, no one will. There is NO turning your back from the need.
Yes, it's going to be much more costly in many cases, yes, we will have that kitty for a long time, taking up valuable rescue space, yes...there will be few if any people looking for a cat that is old or sick, or wary of humans, but every cat deserves respect and safety and love. So we accept them. Time after time. And we honestly don't regret it.
The pay off comes when you see the cat getting healthier, the cat letting it's guard down, the cat responding to kindness and seeing the dedication and love and emotions come out of each team member as they apply their love and powerful belief in compassion as they set their believes into motion by lovingly giving cat care, socialization, and companionship.
I am so proud of our teams. I've seen them cry and be so frustrated and worried and heartbroken, that I worry if they've burned out. But each time, they rebound. They stiffen their backs, and shake their own feelings off because the phone just rang, and there's another poor cat out in the snow with frozen paws and it's hungry.
I work with the dearest people with the biggest hearts. And I'm so very grateful to share this journey with them all these years. 2026 is a new year. We pray for mild trapping weather, strong adoptions, generous financial support, negative f***l tests, and an influx of younger volunteers who will be able to step in to carry on this incredible mission so it carries on way into the future. There is no doubt that it will be needed. Our communities will always need a Safe Haven for the ones often forgotten. Happy New Year everyone and thank you all for your support.
Joyce McKay
Director
