PO Box 444
Williamsburg, IA 52361

319/325-0150

www.wesavepets.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Safe Haven?

Safe Haven is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit, limited-admission, companion animal rescue and adoption organization serving Iowa County. Our temporary facility near Little Amana is approved and licensed by the State of Iowa. Other than several small grants, our first year of operation has been funded entirely through private donations.

What is Safe Haven’s mission?

Our mission is twofold: to rescue, protect, rehabilitate, and find good homes for stray, abandoned, neglected or abused dogs and cats in Iowa County, Iowa. Secondly, to significantly reduce if not eradicate this sort of existence for companion animals through public education and sponsoring low/no cost spay and neuter programs. We spay/neuter, test and vaccinate every animal that comes under our care.

How many animals live at Safe Haven?

On any given day, Safe Haven is home to roughly 120 cats and dogs.

Where do they come from?

All the animals admitted to our care are stray or abused/neglected animals that come from the Iowa County Sheriff, local vet offices, or occasionally private citizens.

How do we care for so many animals?

Over 20 direct care volunteers share responsibility for 14 weekly shifts. Every day, seven days a week, two shifts come to the Havens and ensure the health, safety, and happiness of every single cat and dog under our care. They provide appropriate food, fresh water and litter, medicinal support, exercise, training, and opportunities for positive socialization, both with other animals and with humans. Our dedicated volunteer network works as a team to insure consistent, quality care--every day, rain or shine.

What is a limited-admission facility?

Sometimes referred to as a “no-kill,” this more realistically means that animals are not euthanized because of the amount of time they have been at Safe Haven, only in cases of terminal and painful illness where compassion demands it.

What happens to the animals that are brought here?

Most of them--approximately 99%--are soon ready to go to good homes. Others who are too badly traumatized through ill treatment, or who are older, differently abled, or chronically ill, find a permanent home at Safe Haven whenever reasonable.

Where is Safe Haven located?

Due to the generosity of a Safe Haven supporter, we have a temporary location near Little Amana. However, this is a temporary location. Our goal is to build a new facility by summer of 2011 on 15 acres purchased.

How did Safe Haven get started?

Safe Haven was established in September 2005 by Rinthea Satterlee who was unwilling to accept the conventional wisdom that local authorities “had no choice” but to destroy adoptable dogs after only three days at the county pound or shoot “nuisance” stray cats. Joined by a core of like-minded individuals, Safe Haven has since rescued almost 800 stray dogs and cats from Iowa County facilities. Of that number, 600 have been placed into loving, “forever” homes. Updated Dec 2009