THE HAVEN

When The Haven was founded by Dr. Teresa Marshall, DVM in 2000, our board and dedicated volunteers knew we had a long road ahead us. Saving the lives of the unwanted, abused, and homeless cats and dogs - creating a no-kill society - in our community was going to take more than just passion.

In 2001, The Haven became a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. We quickly rallied volunteers, donors, and businesses to this new cause in our community. That same year, the City of Fairhope offered use of part of the city animal shelter in return for The Haven providing veterinary care and staffing for the entire shelter. With this agreement, both our need and ability to find homes for animals increased. Many of the animals at The Haven have been neglected, starved, struck by cars, beaten, and/or otherwise abused; therefore, veterinary care and rehabilitation is frequently extensive and expensive.

In 2007, The Haven became the lead agency for the Maddies® Fund Pet Rescue Project in Baldwin County. Having the experience and knowledge of operating an animal shelter, we gladly teamed up with our local animal control shelters. We began transferring animals, which might otherwise be put to sleep, to our facility. Our collective mission was to end euthanasia as a means of animal control. Five years later, the funding has ended, but our goals continue to march on. Record reductions of euthanasia, intakes, and owner redemption continue to increase. None of our achievements could have been reached without the continued support from our compassionate and tenacious volunteers and Maddies® Fund.

All of the animals are spayed or neutered and receive all necessary veterinary care such as de-worming, vaccinations, heartworm tests, micro-chips, and feline aids and leukemia tests. In addition, all adopters receive 30 days of FREE pet health insurance. Potential adopters are carefully screened. Current adoption fees are $55 for cats and $80 for dogs. We are a no-kill shelter so no adoptable animal is euthanized just because we don't find it a ready home - we just keep trying! In addition, we ask that if any home situation/adoption does not work out for a Haven graduate, that the Haven be contacted so that we can find them the right home. Our motto is "once a Haven animal, always a Haven animal". We have frequent off-site pet adoption events, website and other active marketing, as well as adoptions at the shelter - all in an effort to place animals.

Another important role The Haven plays is educating the community on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. Our quarterly newsletter has updates from families that have recently adopted a companion from The Haven, as well as many other pet related articles. We also have educational programs and information encouraging the humane care of animals- such as warning of the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars. We are also becoming involved in the school system and discussing these issues with the children.

The Haven would not exist without the tireless work of its many volunteers. Volunteer tasks are numerous including office support, walking dogs, helping at adoption and fundraising events, and, yes, cleaning cages. The Haven does various fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for operations. Recent events have included a pet photo contest, a pet essay contest, a benefit luncheon featuring Fannie Flagg, and a pet Mardi Gras parade. The Haven also operates a resale shop of donated items with the proceeds benefiting The Haven. The resale shop also provides a volunteer opportunity for people who prefer not to work at the shelter itself.

The Haven is a relatively new organization that has made great strides in a short amount of time. We are proud of what we have accomplished, but we have a long way to go. We are striving to live in a society where loving, adoptable animals are not being killed. We need to change the mindset of our community that animals are disposable.