Executive Director Focus

Dear Friends,

I am asked quite often what my favorite thing about my job is and I always reply that I love working with the animals, but I equally love working with people. You truly can not do one without the other. Being in a career where I get to assist, learn from, and help both people and pets is truly a dream come true for me.

For those of us who love animals, we know how important pets are in our lives. They lift our moods, lower our blood pressure, and help us improve our physical health. According to a large scale Harvard study, loneliness is almost the main factor that harms human health and happiness in the long run. In this sense, a pet that loves you with unconditional love, regardless of your financial and social status, physical or mental condition, can greatly improve the quality of life for a person.

So, as SafeHaven continues to grow and expand the services it provides to both the pets in our care and to the community we love in 2023, we brainstorm ways that both pets and people will benefit the most. Here are just a few ways SafeHaven has kicked off expanding services in 2023:

We listened to our community about the need for low cost spay/neuter services. In February, we opened up a waiting list for spay/neuter surgeries. SafeHaven then is able to fit in community animals when there is room on a SafeHaven surgery day. To date, over 100 community animals have been spayed/neutered.

Staff and volunteers saw a great need for some of the animals coming into our care. Many were shy, reserved, and even shut down. The traditional kennel environment was just too overwhelming. So, we have started the design phase of constructing “quiet rooms” for pets that just need a different type of housing option when coming into care at SafeHaven. The goal is that these rooms will be fully constructed by September of this year.

Our promise to you is that we are always continuing to look forward to the future. We are always striving to create a better world for you, for the animals in our care, and for the community we serve.

I want to leave you with this; it is from an adopter who recently visited our shelter:

Dear SafeHaven Staff,

Thank you so much for your kindness. I had recently lost my beloved pet after 16 wonderful years together. I was crying as I walked through your kennels, unsure whether I was ready to adopt yet, but feeling so incredibly lonely. The staff were so kind and caring. I sensed they understood my pain but they also gently encouraged me to look at a few potential pets they felt might be a good match for me. It didn’t take long for one to steal my heart and the couch.

SafeHaven helped a person AND a pet that day…that is why I love my job!

On behalf of the animals,

Chris Storm, Executive Director