March 2023 Archives

Almaia

This cat is withdrawn

Update 12/02/2024: Unfortunately, Almaia never found an adoptive family. She died of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Just over a year old (at the time of this writing), young Almaia has spent all but the first few weeks of her life in the Haven.

*photo March 2022, probably one month old here*

If you know anything about SHE, you know that Koky is a magnet for cats. No matter where she goes or what she does, they'll find her. Shopping? Cat in the cart. Coffee shop? Kat sits in the chair at her table, staring at her. Pharmacy? Cat sits just outside the door, begging for help.

And so it was with Almaia. Koky made the mistake of leaving her house one day in late March 2022, only to encounter this little kitten on the street, screaming for attention. She was alone, without food, without water and without mother cat. After some research with the locals to make sure it was an abandoned or orphaned cat, can you guess who accompanied Koky to the Haven that afternoon? Well, it was little Miss Almaia, who has grown into a beautiful one-year-old since she was found.

*Almia seeks shade. Note the bushy tail!*

Described as playful and friendly by the local team, she never had her own home or her own people. We expect this young girl to bond with her own people. There will of course be a period of adjustment, because she has never had her own home or person(s). But don't worry – our team is here to make this transition as easy as possible for both the adopter and Almaia.

This sweet cat has been sterilized, microchipped, vaccinated against rabies with the laboratory blood test and vaccinated against standard cat diseases. When she travels to her new home, she will do so with her original rabies laboratory blood test certificate and her vaccination record so that her new adopter knows when her vaccinations are required. She is litter box trained.

Having lived almost her entire life within the safety of the Haven, we want Almaia to maintain that same level of safety in her forever home.

If she is allowed in the garden, it must be completely enclosed with the special fencing for cats. Or with a catio. Otherwise, she should be kept as an indoor/house cat.

We believe that indoor cats can live a happy, fulfilled and interesting life with proper attention, daily playtime and interesting toys, objects to climb on, etc. Under no circumstances should Almaia be a free-roaming cat, even in a quiet neighbourhood.

This girl still has some “kitten” left in her, so her adopter/family needs to understand that she needs an outlet for her energy. She gets along well with other cats in the Haven, and also with the cat-friendly dog that is there occasionally. We expect she will fit in well with most households, including those with respectful children.

All adoptions are dependent on a successful home check (carried out via video call) and an adoption fee. See What is the adoption procedure at SHE?

If this sweet girl's expressive face, her friendly and open character or her background appeal to you and you are interested in offering her a forever home, please contact us. If you are not familiar with adoption through our organization, we will be happy to tell you all the details.

If Almaia is not the cat for you, or if you are not currently looking for a new feline companion, would you please share her profile in your circle?

The more her information is shared, the more success we will have in finding her the right home. Word of mouth is still the best way for us to find new adopters! Thank you for your help and all you do!

Treasure

This is an adopted cat

Every cat is special, but we would like to introduce you to a friendly and sweet young lady who is really our Treasure, because that is her name.

Rescued in May 2021 as a small orphaned kitten, blind in one eye, Treasure has lived her life in the Haven ever since. Now about three years old, she is a favorite of the Haven team and visitors alike.

Perhaps it is best to let a long-time SHE supporter and adopter tell us about Treasure in her words, from her recent visit to Cairo and the Port in November 2022.

One thing I would like most is an adoption offer for Treasure.

Treasure is wonderfully affectionate and has come to me on every visit and sat on my lap, hugging me and showing me how loving she is. Some of the other cats get jealous and swat her, but she comes back when they're gone and gives me more cuddles. She is blind in one eye but otherwise healthy and enjoys treats!

Treasure gets along well with the other cats in the Haven, as well as with our dogs. We expect her to integrate well into most households, including those with respectful children. She is house trained and fully prepared for travel. For example, she has had her rabies vaccination (and the required laboratory test), her standard cat vaccinations, and she has been spayed and microchipped.

You will notice that she has both eyes, but she can see with only one of them.

Please note: Treasure must be an indoor cat, or if she is allowed outside, only in a completely cat-proof garden (with the special fence) or a catio. Treasure has lived in complete safety since she was a little kitten and we want to ensure that this level of safety is maintained, especially considering her eyesight.

Are you looking for a sweet lap cat for company? Then consider our darling.

All offers of adoption are subject to an adoption fee plus a successful home check, carried out via video call. See What is the adoption procedure at SHE?

If you are interested in offering a home to Treasure or would like to learn more please contact local volunteer Walter. We will then contact you within 24 hours.

If you are not interested in adopting right now, please consider sharing this information about Treasure where you can or spreading the word about it to acquaintances who are looking for a cat.

Lizabet

If you've been a part of the Haven family for a while, you know that Koky's husband doesn't bring her flowers, jewelry or chocolate – he brings her cats!

In early June 2022, he messaged her from his office. There was a mother cat and a kitten nearby that he always fed, but unfortunately the mother cat was killed by a car. Only the little kitten was left and he wanted to know if he could take her home.

And so it was that little Lizabet found her way to Koky's house and after her vaccinations to the Haven. Our sweet princess is less than a year old at the time of this writing (March 2023) but is ready and excited to find a home of her own.

Given how sweet and friendly she is, Koky almost considered keeping Lizabet for herself, but decided against it given the other cats she has, plus the revolving door of little kittens and fosters. From the videos you can tell that this girl loves attention. Her adopted human(s) will be her first full-time experience with humans. She does well with other cats and also with a cat-friendly dog.

Based on the personality we've seen, her closest connection will likely be with her person(s). We expect she would fit in well with most households, including those with respectful children. However, it's important to remember that she's still young, so she may want to jump out from behind a chair or run after little feet; that's what kittens do.

Like all our cats, Lizabet is sterilized, microchipped, vaccinated against rabies (with her original laboratory test certificate) and also against standard cat diseases. Any offer of adoption for her is dependent on a successful video home check and an adoption fee. See What is the adoption procedure at SHE?

Lizabet must be an indoor or house cat, or if she is allowed outside, in a completely cat-proof garden (with the special fence) or in a cat run. Except for the first weeks of her life, when her mother was killed, Lizabet lived in complete safety and we want to ensure that this level of safety is maintained.

She has no street sense and does not understand that vehicles are a danger. Therefore, she should not be placed in a situation where she can roam freely, even in quieter residential areas.

If you are interested in offering Lizabet a home, if you have any questions, or if you just want to know more about our adoption process please send a message to local volunteer Walter. We will do our best to contact you within 24 hours.

If you are not interested in adopting at this time, could we ask for your help by sharing her profile where you can?

Zuzu

Since her sweet sisters Callie and Tessa recently had some luck finding adopters, Zuzu is becoming quite concerned that we haven't advertised her yet.

So Miss Zuzu, this one is for you!

To remind you of the background, Zuzu arrived with her mother and sisters in June 2021 when the Haven night worker called Koky around midnight. A woman had knocked on the Haven's door, carrying a trash can containing a mama cat and her three kittens. The cat had given birth in her garden and the woman didn't want her there. We were full at the time, but the woman said if we didn't accept the cats, she would just dump them on the street.

And so Zuzu, Callie and Tessa, along with mom Tara, all came to live in the Haven. Zuzu turns two years old this summer, after spending just a few weeks of her life in the Haven. She is affectionate, funny and playful and is a favorite of visitors. Keep in mind that she has never had her own home or her own people, so we expect she will be thrilled when the time comes!

Despite being almost two years old, this little lady still has a lot of “kitten” in her and loves to play with interesting toys and seek attention from people who seem interested in her. Due to her easy-going nature, we expect her to fit in well with most households, including those with another friendly cat and/or respectful children. She will likely develop a strong bond of trust with her new person(s).

Because she has lived her life within the safety of the Haven, Zuzu must either be an indoor cat or in a cat run or completely cat-proof yard (with the special enclosure). A standard fence is not sufficient. It is our experience that the SHE cats do not see vehicles as a danger. Even on the quietest roads or dead-end streets, our cats have suffered life-threatening injuries. We must ensure that Zuzu receives the same level of safety in her new home as she is used to in the Haven.

No exceptions, please. We believe that indoor cats can live happy and contented lives with the right attention and daily playtime.

Zuzu is a very intelligent cat; you can see that just by looking at her and studying her eyes. Some SHE adopters have had success leash or harness training their cats, and that could well be an option for Zuzu if both parties are willing to try it. We can provide advice and guidance on the best way to do this.

Zuzu has been vaccinated against standard cat diseases and rabies. She will travel with her original rabies blood test results from a certified laboratory. Like all our cats, Zuzu is sterilized and microchipped. She is potty trained.

All adoptions are dependent on a successful home check (carried out via video call) and an adoption fee. See page What is the adoption procedure at SHE? .

If this graceful red-haired girl has caught your attention and you would like to offer to adopt her (or just to find out more), then send a message. We will do our best to contact you within 24 hours. We're also happy to answer questions about adoption through SHE, and anything else you have in mind.

If you're not in the market for a new cat right now, or if Zuzu doesn't seem like the right choice for you, can you help us by sharing this link where you can? (see sharing options at the bottom of this post)

Or by spreading existence across the Safe Haven Egypt? We get the majority of our new adopters through word of mouth, so please help us spread the word!

Our team, including Zuzu, thank you for your help and continued support.

Ernie

Ernie, our paralyzed boy, had an adopter but unfortunately passed away before we left.

We're pretty sure the stunningly handsome Ernie once owned his own home. Unfortunately, he fell from a balcony in early December 2022. A kind person rescued him and initially cared for him, but was unable to keep him long-term.

And so Ernie came to the Haven in mid-December. Unfortunately, his fall left him partially paralyzed and one of his hind legs is dragging behind him. But like so many other disabled cats we've seen, Ernie has been able to adapt.

He still walks, climbs, pulls himself up on chairs or a couch, uses the litter box, plays and does all the other normal things you would expect from a cat. Therefore, there is no reason why Ernie couldn't have a normal forever home like any other cat.

Ernie is estimated to be about 2 years old. His coat has grown fuller and thicker with more elaborate colors since he arrived in the Haven. This long-haired tomcat could easily qualify as a 'cat fashion model' given his good looks and great personality.

It is important to mention that Ernie is not one of Koky's mischievous “angels”. He has a calm and even-tempered temperament and enjoys the company of other felines, people and cat-friendly dogs. If Ernie were given a chance in a home with children, we would recommend that they be older and respectful, understanding his disability.

Ernie is neutered, microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and other common cat diseases. He is a good example to show that physical challenges do not necessarily limit us in what we can and cannot do. As confirmed above, Ernie still uses a litter box.

*Going to the litter box is still possible*

Ernie needs to be adopted by a loving person/family who wants to keep him safe so we eliminate the chance of other accidents. He must be an indoor/house cat, or if he is allowed outside, only in a cat run or in a cat-proof garden with the special enclosure. An ordinary, standard fence should not stop this boy; we don't want to take any more risks with him. Under no circumstances should he be allowed to roam free.

We charge a one-off adoption fee of £195 ( +/- €220) as an adoption fee. FIV/FeLV testing can be done for the price of the test kit, which costs an additional £15. Adopters are certainly welcome to pay more than our standard rate (our actual transport costs are over £300), but it is never expected or required. Also see What is the adoption procedure at SHE?

Would you like to offer Ernie a forever home? Would you like to talk about what it's like to have a paralyzed cat, or do you have questions about how adoption works at SHE? We are here to help you and answer all those questions. Send message to local volunteer Walter or contact SHE Admin Holly (English or French) and we will do our best to respond within 24 hours.

We couldn't do the work we do without the support of SHE followers and our larger SHE family. Please consider sharing Ernie's post if he's not the cat for you. Thank you for your continued support of SHE and our wonderful cats!

Molly

This sweet girl's name is Molly. She was initially found by Koky, who lived under her house after being abandoned by her owner. From there she was cared for by Koky until she received her vaccinations, after which she moved to the Haven.

Molly is estimated to be just over a year old. As she has grown, her coat has become a bit fluffier. Check out her amazing tail in some of the more recent photos! This young girl loves human company and we expect her to settle in as a sociable lap cat with the right adopter(s).

Molly is also used to cats and a cat-friendly dog. She has been spayed and vaccinated against rabies and other common cat diseases. When she travels to her future home, she will fly with her original laboratory certificate confirming her rabies titer/vaccination results.

We do not routinely test for FIV/FeLV (unless the cat is showing symptoms) but are happy to do so for her adopter at our cost, which is £15 or the local equivalent.

Molly must be an indoor or house cat, or if she is allowed outside, in a completely cat-proof garden (with the special fence) or a catio. Molly has lived the vast majority of her life in complete safety and we want to ensure that this level of safety is maintained. She has no street sense and does not understand that vehicles are a danger. Therefore, she should not be put in a situation where she can move around freely.

If you are interested in offering Molly a home, or would like to learn more about our adoption process Then take a look at the page about the adoption procedure at SHE.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate local volunteer Walter (Dutch) or Holly (English, French) from the SHE admin team via the original FB adoption announcement from about Molly from Safe Haven Egypt.

If you are not interested in adopting at this time, could we ask for your help by sharing her profile in other groups? Thank you for your continued support of the Haven and our cats!

Update 'Friends of Safe Haven Egypt' project

image cat — *Friends of Safe Haven Egypt*

This project to promote Safe Haven Egypt's cats for adoption online in Dutch started on January 23. This with a first post about Pudding (still available) in the Facebook group 'Adopt a cat or tomcat NL/BEL‘.

The start was difficult because the message was stuck for moderation for several days without any apparent reason. But when I finally got a response from the group administrator, I had a nice chat. Got permission to post and even an 'auto-approve' for that group so my posts go straight to group.

I now had a group with 5.3k members where I could post in the SHE cats. Nice! – Could there be other Dutch-language 'adopt a cat' Facebook groups?

Yes. – Currently I have a list of 27 places I can post to. These include this website, a Twitter account and the rest are “adoptive cat Facebook groups.” Some are very small, some are very large with more than 10,000 members.

*To post with a FB message if the cat is no longer available*

We succeeded through such a post Dylan find a candidate adopter. That's great of course. It was noticeable that there was much more attention for Dylan, an Egyptian Mau, than for all the other cats, who, although certainly beautiful, were more 'normal'. At this time there are 5 cats up for adoption on this website.

The promotion of Pudding and Rosie has been completed correctly. The promotion runs in March Nemo, Tessa and Bertie further. Molly is in the queue. A schedule has now been made for posting the messages. The intention is to post 3 different SHE cats in a different place every day. With a total lead time per cat of 4 weeks to be posted everywhere.

I'm actually quite happy with how things are going. Being able to give one cat a home during the first month, the start-up phase, is fine. This website now also shows up in Google on the first page when you search for 'cat adoption Egypt' and 'safe haven Egypt', which is not bad. Visitor numbers are of course low for this website, but not 0.

And literally in the last few days, several questions have been received about the SHE-cats, no new adoption proposals yet, but that's how it will start.

If anyone has any tips on where I can/may post advertising posts of SHE cats, please let me know! Each post also has buttons to share that message, post it, via personal channels. That is of course also very welcome!

Greeting,

Walter Vermeir