News
Pet Memorial Garden Planned
on Safe Haven Shelter Grounds
By Barbara Swedeen [Posted Feb. 5, 2010]
A committee has been working on plans for the Pet Memorial Garden mentioned previously in the Pet Tidings newsletter.
The Safe Haven Memorial Garden will be a place where people can come to scatter the ashes of their pet and reflect in a peaceful setting in the shadow of the beautiful Olympic Mountains. A site has been selected adjacent to a lovely pond on the grounds.
Before the garden can open, a great deal of preparation work will be needed in order to access the site. A preliminary estimate of $6,000.00 has been presented. Since funds donated for PFOA programs and general support will never be used for this project, a development fund has been set up for this specific purpose.
Donations received for the on-line Pet Memorials will be deposited to the Memorial Garden Development Fund as well as any checks which specify that purpose. The committee is considering other fundraisers for the project. Please check this page to learn what they might be and to see what progress we are making toward the site preparation goal.
The summer Pet Tidings (out in June) will have the design, a progress report and recommendations for on-site memorials.
Goal: $6,000.00
To Date: $150.00
Lifetime care center will offer temporary emergency care, too
By Janet Harker, Executive Director [Posted March 2006]
I am impressed with the number of calls, correspondence, and questions we are getting regarding the lifetime care facility. This is not just a retirement home, it will also have space set aside for temporarily fostering in emergency situations. As it is now, if your home burns down or you are critically injured in an accident, or you become seriously ill or involved in domestic violence, there are places that will provide shelter for the people involved ~~ but none for the animals. We expect to change that.
The founding members knew from the start that the 1972 two-story residence currently standing on the Safe Haven property was not going to be suitable for anything more than a temporary adoption center. But once we had a new shelter/adoption center built to conform with current animal shelter codes, the original building would make an excellent feline lifetime care facility. From the very beginning, "Phase II" was part of our overall plan. This facility will be limited as to the number of occupants, for it will NOT be a warehouse for animals.
The fund raising for the new building got off to a good start with over $40,000.00 raised so far, and the building committee met several times last year and got a lot accomplished. We selected our site, and the new adoption center layout is taking shape. But the overall plan still needs quite a lot of work. We took a break for the holidays, but will be meeting again this month to pick up where we left off. With all the record rain we have been having, we might change our plan and build an "Ark."
For those of you that may be concerned about Phase II interfering with our regular rescue/adoption programs, I assure you that won't happen. This project is over and above our normal activities, and I will keep you posted on our progress.
Please contact us at 360-452-0414 if you are interested in providing lifetime care for your feline companions. We will be happy to discuss the different arrangements with you.
PLEASE NOTE: April 26, 2009--The 2009 regular session of the legislature ended. SB 5329 and HB 1406 were not acted upon and will be reconsidered in the 2010 legislative session.
Spay/Neuter Bill in Legislature
Please urge your state legislators to support Senate Bill 5329/House Bill 1406 ~~ endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States, the Washington State Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies, and more than 40 other animal welfare organizations in Washington State.
Companion Animal Spay/Neuter Assistance:
Senate Bill 5329 and House Bill 1406
SB 5329 and HB 1406 would help fund 70,000 or more spay/neuter surgeries each year on cats and dogs belonging to low-income residents of our state, and on feral and free-roaming cats. To the extent funds are available, it would also support the costs of spay/neuter surgeries on cats and dogs in the possession of animal shelters, animal care and control agencies, and other animal welfare organizations. The bill does not make spay/neuter surgery mandatory. Please contact your legislators today! [Posted 1/27/09]
