Sunshine is once again proof that Safe Haven Egypt really has all kinds of cats. – 'All cats are beautiful' – but Sunshine is in a class of its own.
Sunshine's route is a little different than most Haven cats. Of course she is one 'rescue' but not by Haven. She was taken in by a family that took care of her temporarily. Or that was the intention anyway.
They planned to adopt her and take her home to the United States. - Awesome! … However? – No, otherwise SHE wouldn't be promoting her now. That plan to take her to the US did not materialize.
But luckily for Sunshine, the 2nd best thing that could happen to her happened; she got a place in Haven.
Port is of course an intermediate station. On the way to her 'final destination' (without the horror of the movies).
Meanwhile, Sunshine is about 3 years old, of which she has spent 2 years in shelter. She has more to offer than her appearance.
Sunshine is a very friendly lady. Very affectionate. A recent visitor to Haven also described Sunshine as very friendly but modest. She won't seek attention or try to jump into your arms. But when you visit her and give her attention, she will accept her with great gratitude and want to cuddle.
She gets along well with other cats and also cat-friendly dogs. There are also rabbits, chickens and a duck walking around at Haven.
Sunshine also has experience with children.
Medically, Sunshine can tick everything off; she has been sterilized and has had her vaccinations against common cat diseases and rabies. Deworming and flea treatment has been done. She has a microchip. And this lady knows how the cat toilet works.
She is ready to travel!
When that day comes, she will leave with all the necessary documents.
Sunshine has been able to spend the last two years in safety. It is an absolute requirement that this can remain this way. Therefore, she must be either an indoor cat. Or only go outside in a well-enclosed outdoor area. Some people build one cat run. There are even people who walk with their cat in a leash.
From the hundreds of cats living in Haven, it is now up to Ella to get her chance at a loving home. Her 'forever home'.
We also have to introduce Ella with a haze about her past.
Ella showed up in Haven in May. She is a little kitten. This makes her look younger than she is. Ella is estimated to be a 1.5 year old – 2 year old.
What an adopter typically looks for in a cat is a buddy. A sweet, affectionate, calm cat. This is what Ella has to offer.
Let us give Ella herself a demonstration of her affection;
As you can see, Ella has lost her eyes. Many cats come to Haven with heavily infected eyes. Antibiotics have their limits.
Her eyes have been removed and the eye sockets closed.
As bad as that is, this may have been the price Ella had to pay to end up in Haven. Of the many tens of thousands of street cats, only a tiny fraction can go to Haven. A heavily infected cat has a better chance of finding a place in Haven.
Fortunately, a blind cat does not know that she is disabled. They adapt extremely well to living without sight. In the beginning they will of course encounter everything. But very quickly much less. Ultimately, they walk through spaces as if they can see.
And don't be surprised to find a blind cat where you least expect it. Like on top of a seemingly inaccessible cupboard. It is therefore evident that a blind cat also knows how to locate the litter box flawlessly.
July 2023
Ella has found safety within the walls of Haven. It is therefore a requirement that this is present at the adopter. Ella must be an indoor cat. You can only go outside in a cat run or a very, very well-enclosed garden.
Some people take their cat for a walk in leash.
Ella has been sterilized and has had her vaccinations against common cat diseases and Rabies. She is also chipped. She is ready to travel with all the necessary documentation.
Who is ready to give our girl a warm, loving and safe home?
Is that you, dear reader? – Then take a look to our adoption procedure. And if you have any questions, know that we are there for you. – Nothing is too much for us. – Contact.
Balder is another cat for which there is no documentation of how it ended up in Haven. But in the end they are all pretty similar stories.
Photo posted on March 4, 2022
Let's say Balder was found as an orphaned kitten and brought into Haven.
At the beginning of March 2022, Balder will appear in the SHE Facebook group. The estimate at the time was that he was 3 months old. That puts his estimated date of birth in December 2021. And so he is currently 1 year old with his 2nd birthday approaching.
He already received the description then 'very affectionate and friendly'.
Here we are a year and a half later. Little boys grow up. And this boy is now really ready to leave Haven.
'He virtually came flying into my arms, wanted to be cuddled for ages. He is definitely overdue for his forever home.'
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Claudia Bart, visitor to Safe Haven Egypt
Balder was brought to the attention of a foreign visitor to Haven. He demanded attention by pushing for attention. And hugs. Long lasting hugs.
October 9, 2023
Pictures say more than words. See bottom of this message. This is clearly a boy who can give his or her human a lot of love.
Balder has received his vaccinations against common cat diseases and rabies. Like all SHE cats, he receives a deworming treatment and flea control.
When he leaves he will leave with all his documentation of his medical status. He is neutered and chipped.
And yes, cats also use the litter box in Egypt, like Balder.
There are many cats with disabilities in Safe Haven Egypt. Not so with Balder. He comes with 4 legs, 2 working eyes and 1 tail.
Balder has spent almost his entire life in Haven. In complete safety. It is therefore imperative that Balder will find the same security with his adopter. He must be an indoor cat or go outside in a garden that is adapted so that a cat cannot get out. Or possibly via one cat run.
In Haven, Baller sits with many other cats. There are also a few cat-friendly dogs walking around there. And even some rabbits, chickens and a duck. Haven also receives visits from children sometimes.
Balder would do well in families with other animals and well-behaved children.
Do you think maybe you could give Balder a home? - Awesome!
If this sounds like something to you or if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help you.
Does a cat not fit into your family? – Well, this is not something to do lightly. But perhaps there are people in your area who can offer a cat a home? – Sharing is caring!
Update 01/10/2024 10:55 PM: Aubrey has been found. She is with Koky. – There is now active cooperation from the airport to find the 2 other cats. Source; (private) SHE Facebook group; (English) https://vermeir.org/flight985update2
Every day, a whole group of people work hard to provide a safe place for the cats staying in the Safe Haven Egypt shelter. And they look for a suitable adoptive family.
Koky, the manager, always lets the online SHE community know what is going on.
A few days ago she posted a message that support was still needed to enable the transport of 12 SHE cats to the United States of America. – The generous community raised the resources. – Everyone was happy and enthusiastic about the impending departure.
A little later came a photo of the transport boxes; our 12 SHE cats were now effectively leaving!
We welcome then at the haven with smile love and care and when they leave us we say good bye and we wish them all the happiness
SHE cats starting their journey, photo for illustration
On Friday, September 29, our cats left the Haven on their adventure. To Cairo airport and then New York, USA!
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a nightmare.
The departure was just like usual. The cats were properly checked in for their flight
Flight 985, Cairo to New York (JFK).
Our 12 cats traveled together with the cats from another cat shelter.
Broken transport box
Seven(!) hours after the plane – as far as known – had left safely with the cats, the message came that 'something' had gone wrong.
Very wrong.
Somehow the transport boxes fell. All boxes were damaged.
Three SHE cats escaped at the airport. And also two cats from the other cat shelter. – So five cats loose at an airport.
Our blind boy Angus was finally found. He drank some water and then died.
Angus, killed
Good news is that SHE cat Shadia has been found and is now safe and sound at Koky's home.
There is no news yet from Aubrey. He is still missing.
Update 01/10/2024 10:55 PM: Aubrey has been found. She is with Koky.
The two cats from the other shelter are also still missing. Update 09/10/2023: One of the two has been found (and is fine), one non-SHE cat still remains missing.
So this all happened before the plane took off. The surviving cats were placed on the plane in their damaged boxes. Some transport boxes patched with adhesive tape.
Aubrey,missing SHE catFOUND IT!
When the local SHE volunteer came to pick up the cats at the airport in the USA, they were outside in the pouring rain. Which was probably lucky.
The doors of two transport boxes were missing. The cats were still in there. Apparently too scared to run away.
Safe Haven Egypt was only informed 7 hours after the incident. It was not possible to clarify what exactly happened.
The 1st missing cat from the other cat shelterFOUND IT!
Those transport boxes are very sturdy. They don't just break from a simple fall. After insistence, there was nothing more than a weak apology and 'that these things happen'.
Unable to obtain information or cooperation from the airport, the airline Egypt Air or the shipping agent.
We didn't get Angus' body back. Airport employees buried him at the airport. This way we cannot investigate what exactly he died from.
The SHE community is sad and in shock. This – or anything even remotely similar – has never happened before.
We are angry too.
Missing, 2nd cat from the other cat shelter
How could such a fragile cargo be handled so negligently? – Why did it take 7 hours to let us know??!!
This also means that Koky and anyone she could round up could not search for the missing cats. Because they didn't know anything.
This is therefore a call to everyone who is well disposed towards Safe Haven Egypt and actually all cat shelter initiatives to put pressure on EgyptAir to help find the 3 missing cats.
And to investigate this thoroughly so that this cannot happen again.
Help bring this to attention through your available social media channels!
Update Sunday October 1: This Facebook post from Nada Saad (ENG) gives a more factual account of the situation, https://vermeir.org/flight985update
April 2, 2021. – Like many times before, there was a post in the Safe Haven Egypt Facebook group about a cat in distress on the street.
A request for help to save this blind pregnant cat. It received 92 responses. The means were found. A sponsor gave her the name Crystal.
Crystal came to live in Haven. And gave birth to her 3 babies. She was a good mom.
We are now 2 years and a half later. Crystal still lives in Haven. And wait patiently for adoption.
Life was hard for Crystal. That has left traces. Physically and mentally. She lost one eye which was surgically removed. The remaining eye is blind.
A potential adopter of Crystal will have to be patient with her. Crystal is certainly not a 'wild cat'. She will not hide, crawl away from her human. She is not aggressive. But she is 'shy'.
Crystal has a hard time with touch. It took a long time before Crystal wanted to allow Koky to pet her. – The adopter will have to be patient with Crystal.
April 2022
Crystal is good with other cats. This makes it an option to adopt another cat in addition to Crystal. One that is more social.
Like all of Haven's cats, Crystal has been rendered sterile. She knows how a litter box works. Has received her vaccinations, is chipped...
And when she has found her human she will travel with all the required documents.
Crystal is a blind cat. Fortunately, that is not something to worry about. Blind cats are very adaptable, which is what Chrystal has done. Just try not to move too many things, especially in the beginning, or get in the way.
It is obvious but it needs to be written out; Crystal cannot be left outside freely under any circumstances. – Indoor cat. Cat run. Very well enclosed garden with professional cat fence. – That's how it should be.
Haven has more than 250 cats. For some cats, their entire history is clear from the point they were found on the street, fell out of their former owner's window, or someone came to dump them at Haven.
This is not so clear about Cocopuff. The earliest mention of Cocopuff is from August 2021. She was in Haven at the time and was in the group for which there was a call for sponsorship to pay for the sterilization.
Most likely, Cocopuff, like so many others, was found as a heavily infected kitten on the street and brought to Haven.
Infections in the eyes of kittens are common. Sometimes the medication can save them. Sometimes not. Cocopuff has lost her eyes. The eyes have been removed. This trauma has not affected her.
Cocopuff is a very friendly girl. She can give a lot of affection. She will gratefully accept petting. Blind cats – such as Cocopuff – also know perfectly how to use the litter box.
She lives in Haven together with many other cats. And actually she would do better somewhere where it is a bit quieter, less busy. She can certainly be kept with other cats, but not too many.
We suspect that Cocopuff is about 2 years and a half old. She has been staying in Haven for 2 years now, so it is really time for Cocopuff to go on a trip.
She has been made infertile, has been given deworming treatments and vaccination against the most common cat diseases. And she will travel with the negative certificate of the test for rabies.
Some people think that black cats bring bad luck, but nothing could be further from the truth. Who wants to improve each other's lives by bringing Cocopuff into your family?
This is possible after completing the adoption procedure. There is an interview with the adopter and a contribution has to be paid.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to send a message to see what is possible.
Note about the photos: the photo below is the best available, before the surgery on the eyes. The most recent photo is at the very bottom with eyes removed.
Looking 'nice' is no guarantee not to be dumped on the street. Haven received a tip from a beautiful house cat, a Persian cat, that had been abandoned on the street. That is a difficult life for every cat. Such a beautiful cat wouldn't stay beautiful for long.
February 2023
The foundling was given a place in Haven. And turned out to be pregnant. None of Mitzi Rose's kittens survived.
In the meantime, Mitzi Rose has been staying with us for 9 months. We estimate her to be approximately 3 years old. She is chipped and has had all her vaccinations, including rabies. Has undergone sterilization.
Deworming, flea treatment...and of course she goes on the cat couch like all cats.
Mitzi Rose may be a beautiful Persian cat, but she has more to serve than her appearance.
She is a friendly and affectionate cat who would do very well with (well-behaved) children.
Mitizi Rose is ready for the next step. This pretty girl is ready to leave for her golden basket.
Please know that all Safe Haven Egypt must live as indoor cats. Or need to have a safe complete garden or a catio. There are no 'quiet streets', safe neighborhoods. Mizi Rose lived in safe conditions and it should really remain that way.
Who's going to give her a chance? Is that you? – We would be happy to investigate that. A starting point is to take a look adoption procedure.
If these conditions sound like something to you or you have any questions... Please do not hesitate to contact us. We will assist you as quickly as possible with all kinds of pleasure.
Not actually looking for a cat right now? Understandable. It must fit your situation. Not an impulse decision. But maybe you know someone in your area who is looking for a boyfriend? – Sharing is caring!
This girl is another long-term resident of the Haven who has been overlooked for adoption until now.
June 2021
Meet Lucy. It was the end of June 2021 when Koky first received a message about a blind kitten, alone, on the street. She was able to arrange for the little cat to be brought to the Haven and she has remained there ever since.
Lucy is estimated to be just over two years old at the time of this writing. Her eyes didn't have to be removed, but all she sees are shadows.
She is a gentle cat, friendly and good-natured. Lucy does well with other cats and with cat-friendly dogs. She has the kind of temperament that would fit well in quieter households, including those with respectful, gentle children.
Most recent photo of Lucy
With the exception of a few months before she arrived at our shelter, Lucy has always known the safety of the Haven, including the fully fenced yard.
She needs this kind of protection in her new home, either as a completely indoor kitten or with one catio or completely cat-proof garden with special fencing.
Lucy has been sterilized and chipped. She has also been vaccinated against rabies (with the required blood test) and has had her standard cat vaccines.
Would you give our beautiful, kind girl a forever home? She is ready to travel and has been for a long time.
If you follow SHE, you know that Koky's phone is buzzing almost constantly. Messages, calls, texts – all about cats needing help. Unfortunately, due to limited space and resources, we can only help so few cats. Simsim is lucky, in more ways than one.
It was August 2021 when Koky was alerted to a report about a kitten that had fallen from a building – four floors – and was now just lying on the street, not moving.
He was certainly still alive and some people had given some food and water, but other than that he was just left to die.
Unsure if anything could be done other than provide some comfort and human love, Koky arranged for the kitten, named Simsim, to be brought to the Haven. He was weak and couldn't walk, but nothing was broken.
With the right nutrition, medicine and vitamins, Simsim was soon back on his feet. It wasn't long before he was taken to the kitten apartment to socialize with the other pups.
Simsim has been a resident of the Haven for a while and is more than ready for his forever home. He used to greet me in the main apartment every morning and then wanted me to sit down and have a bit of time just for him. He loves cuddles and would be the perfect cat to have
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Claudia Bart, visitor to Haven in October 2023
Simsim is estimated to be approximately three years old at the time of writing. He is an intelligent, gentle and friendly cat. He likes to accept affection and appreciates attention, but he is not a cat that always follows you around. – We make no guarantees once he is in a forever home; personalities sometimes change once cats have their own people.
Simsim should fit well in most households, including those with older, respectful children. He loves other cats as well as people, but could be an only cat if given enough attention and playtime daily.
Simsim is house trained, neutered, chipped and has had his vaccinations, including rabies. He travels with his original rabies blood test certificate and his vaccination record.
Simsim should not be allowed to run loose under any circumstances, not even in a quiet residential area. Like many of our cats, he does not understand the danger of vehicles. We want him to have a long, happy and safe life ahead of him. Simsim should be kept as an indoor cat, but one catio is fine or going outside in a completely cat-proof garden (with special fencing) would be welcome. Some of our adopters who don't have a cat-safe outdoor space have successfully trained their cats to walk with a cat harness, so that's also an option.
That said, we believe that with the right amount of attention, stimulation and involvement, cats can live fulfilling and happy lives as indoor cats. Our team can provide you with advice and guidance in this area.
If you're looking for a friendly, calm and gentle cat as a companion, why not consider our handsome Simsim? Maybe he's just what you're looking for.
If not, would you consider sharing this profile in other groups? We've found that most of our new adopters learn about us from their friends, colleagues, or someone who shared one of our posts. (share options at the bottom of this post)
Please help us spread the news!
This boy has been in the Haven for two years now, without a single offer for adoption. All “preparations” for his journey have been completed; he can pack his bags and fly away to a new life in Britain, the EU, the US or Canada.
If you are interested in offering Simsim a forever home or would like to learn more, be sure to read our adoption procedure.
Do not hesitate to contact us for questions or interest. We are happy to help you.
At the end of March 2023, a message from a heavily infected cat in a local Facebook group of local cats in dire need reached Koky, the manager of Safe Haven Egypt.
Although Haven was and is still above capacity, that nameless cat was given a place. We couldn't save her eyes, but we could save the cat, water certainly doesn't always work.
Her sponsor gave her the name Ariadne and she is doing very well. The eyes are removed and closed. She has been sterilized and has received all her vaccinations. Goes in the litter box. She is good with other animals such as cats and cat-friendly dogs.
Ariadne is a calm cat who will do well with children. Ariadne is estimated to be two years old.
A blind cat is technically a disabled cat. But Ariadne doesn't know that. They are just cats through and through. And in many cases they are extra affectionate. It's really nothing to worry about.
All SHE cats must be kept indoors. Or in a very well-enclosed garden or in a cat run. A blind adopted cat has once been found on the street. We really don't want to experience that.
That is why there is a personal interview for prospective adopters via a video call to investigate whether the cat, candidate and expectations match each other.
NL