EVENTS

The Haven provides shelter and finds adoptive homes for abused, neglected, and homeless animals treating them with love, respect and medical care. Through education and volunteer programs, we promote community awareness of pet overpopulation and responsibility. The Haven is a non-profit sanctuary for animals that will be cared for regardless of how long it takes to find them loving homes.

Haven founder, Dr. Teresa Marshall, DVM.

2001 The Haven became a 501 (c) 3 non- profit organization. In 2001, the City of Fairhope offered the 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 experienced neglected, starvation, struck by cars, beaten, and otherwise abuse. These orphaned pets require veterinary care and rehabilitation that is frequently extensive and expensive. All of the animals are spayed or neutered and receive all necessary veterinary care such as de-worming, vaccinations, heartworm testing, micro-chipped, feline aids, and leukemia testing and receive 30 days of FREE pet health insurance. The Haven screens potential adopters to ensure we are matching a Haven pet with a family or individual where the pet with thrive. Current adoption fees are $125 for cats and $175 for dogs. We are a no-kill shelter where no adoptable animal is euthanized because we can’t find it a ready home – we keep trying. We have frequent off-site pet adoption events, website marketing, and other active marketing and adoptions at the shelter – all to place animals.

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

The Haven would not exist though without all the tireless work of its many volunteers. Volunteer’s tasks are endless, 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.

We appreciate your interest, and if you have further questions, please contact us at (251) 929-3980, or at info@havenforanimals.org Mail may be sent to P.O. Box 1063 Fairhope, AL 36533. You may visit us at the shelter at 559 South Section Street in Fairhope, Ala.

Finally, donations are always much appreciated and tax-deductible as allowed by law as The Haven is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.