A Year Later, 12 Cats from Kittery are SAFER, Happier

HAMPTON, NH — Seacoast Area Feline Education & Rescue, a Hampton based nonprofit, assisted in the rescue of 12 cats, abandoned for three weeks without food and water at a condemned home in Kittery, ME, in 2015. SAFER was contacted by a neighbor and quickly responded to remove the cats. It took three days to get all the cats and lots of volunteer time.

The cats were transported to a local New Hampshire Veterinary hospital. The 12 cats were rescued, given medical attention, various medications and vaccines and nurtured back to health. After several months of being cared for, some were ready for adoption! The last cat was adopted this past May 2016 (but one has since been returned to the shelter and is up for adoption at the NHSPCA at this time).

Happy Homes…..happy cats! Two great examples are Stormy, now residing in a great home with the Reed family.

“He is one of the sweetest cats we have ever owned! He has settled in very well with us,” stated Joanne Reed.

Another is Sawyer and Squire, adopted together, and according to their new owner Katie, “they are very comfortable in their new home and have been showing much of their personalities. They love cuddling, playing, and enjoying their cat tree by the window. They are healthy and happy - Thank you SAFER for rescuing them!”

SAFER’s mission is a dedication to the well-being of homeless, stray and feral cats and kittens in the New Hampshire Seacoast area. SAFER was organized in 1998 by a group of caring Seacoast residents and business owners concerned about the many abandoned cats in the area. The objective is to humanely trap, medically clear and spay or neuter the cats. The group works to place adoptable cats in loving homes.

Much assistance is provided through the NHSPCA in Stratham. We work closely with Animal Control Officers from many towns (even outside the Seacoast area), other rescue groups and of course, residents of many towns in the area.

The nonprofit operates solely on donations and an exceptional group of volunteers. None of the volunteers are paid positions and ALL funds go to the care of the cats! These selfless individuals, most who have full-time jobs and families, spend many, many hours rescuing, trapping, and manning food stations throughout the year. Winter months can be especially difficult, accessing daily the feeding stations, monitoring activity, and simply dealing with the challenges of mother nature.

The Seacoast has benefited greatly from this fine group to date, but there’s always a continuing need for their services. When started, the number of feral cats in Seabrook, Hampton Beach and Hampton was significant. To date, SAFER has rescued well over 2,000 feral or abandoned cats and most certainly has stopped thousands more from being born and living a life on the streets!

The cost is approximately $75-$100 to care for the animal before it’s ready to be placed for adoption.

This includes full medical treatment from vaccines, dental care, caring for injuries and spaying/neutering which is crucial to stop the cycle of breeding and keep our cities and towns “LITTER FREE!”

Medical services are provided currently with the generous support of Dr. Craig Williams of Arbor Veterinarian Services of Lee.

To help continue the great work of S.A.F.E.R., please consider either donating or volunteering.

If you feel you can offer a few hours of service, whether it’s medical transport to the vet, assisting at the feeding stations or simply spreading the word thru social media, please contact the agency at 603-929-4975 or info@safercats.com. Donations can be made by visiting our website: www.safercats.com or info@safercats.com.

Submitted by Lorraine Wheeler.