SafeHarbor writes, "About 6 years ago my wife and I walked into Pet Smart just to look around and came across an adult orange and white tabby cat named Raymond. He was wearing a Halloween season scarf around his neck and was very handsome. As soon as I saw him and let him get a smell of me I knew we would get along. " 

We left and a few days went back to see him and adopt him. But to our surprise his was not there. We talked to a lady from Safe Harbor who had a bandage around her arm. We had asked about Raymond and she has smirked and held up her arm and said. "This Raymond?". We looked in shock and was worried. I then asked the lady where he was." Was he adopted already? ". "Not yet", she said. "He is at our main branch". 

My wife got direction and we headed up to Jupiter to see him. When we arrived at the Jupiter branch we were pretty excited. When we got to the front counter we asked about him and was replied with, "OHHH Raymond!". Them not knowing that we knew about the attack. We walked in to see him and I started to smile. I knew he was the cat for us no matter what.

We adopted him and brought him to our home. We had just moved in together (my now wife) and this would start our future family.

After a while with living with Ray we had noticed that he had some issues. At first we thought it was just the way he was but then later as we learned to love him we had an idea that he was abused and had different sides of him. But as time moved on and we all understood each other Ray became more of a lover than a fighter. 

As time moved on our family had grown and we had a baby. Ray seemed very at easy with the new addition and took it very well. Us thinking he would now rebel, had become very loving to our new born son. As time passed Ray seemed more at easy with everything and it was wonderful.

About 3 weeks ago we noticed Ray, now about the age of 10+ was started to feel a little ill. He wasn't eating as much and wasn't as social. A few days had past and things seem to have gotten worse. So I decided to take him to an emergency clinic to have him checked out. X-rays were done and found out that he has a little fluid in his lungs and would be put on antibiotics. At first they seemed to work and things were getting better but then it took another turn. He started to get sick and really not eat. He couldn't hold down any food or water and his breathing started to get worse.

We then took him to a local vet who looked him over and decided to take him off the antibiotics for a day or two and see if he got better. He did! He started to eat... drink.. and be more social. Until a few days ago when he started again. This time his breathing had worsened. But yet he hid it so well that he still cuddled looking for love and acted like it was nothing. But deep down I knew it was serious and he didn't want us to know.

Yesterday I decided to take him back to the emergency vet to once again have him checked out after hours. He was rushed into the back due to his panting. After a long wait and more x-rays. I found out that his condition had greatly worsened. His lungs were clasping and he was on oxygen. Deep down I knew that he knew....I don't know why but I just felt it from him. I then called my wife to let her know that it was time for him to go. As much as I didn't want to come to terms with it I knew it was what was best for Ray Ray. 

We were with him the whole time and we made our peace with him and told him that we loved him very much and he meant so much to us. We broke him of being a nasty cat and made him into the lover that we was meant to be. " You saved us by us saving you... we will see you soon. I love you", was the last thing I said. Then he fell asleep. I kissed his head and petted him once more time.

I miss him dearly. He was the most amazing animal I have ever know and to me that was enough. He truly was my best friend.


Thank you! Everyone at Safe Harbor for everything you do. I never thought this day would come. But I'm glad it did and it was all due to Safe Harbor for giving me the chance to save a life and give it back to Raymond. All the struggles and scars were worth it.

Thank You!

Wayne & Tina.

SafeHarbor writes, "After deciding to adopt another cat due to my own cat of 17 yrs passing, I was apprehensive as how I would be able to cope with a new furry friend around the house.

I can't tell you how much pleasure that she and I are having and the bond that we have formed. When I went to look at the numerous felines that were there, I felt some what overwhelmed. But one beautiful cat took upon itself to grab my attention (literally) by grabbing my leg. Her name was Edith and i felt an immediate bond with her. However, I had to wait to see if the Doctor was going to release her to me because of an eye problem that was apparent.

I waited almost 2 weeks and kept going in to see her and finally got the call to pick her up. The first 7 hours at home were tough for her not be used to able to run free in such a large house ( even though we confined her to the living room to adjust). She did not eat for the first 24 hours and hid amongst my books in my library. I spent that entire evening coaxing her out into the open and she displayed a desire to be loved. But this took all night, bit by bit her comfort level was coming around. Now she is my constant companion, sits on my desktop or on my side, loves to be held and petted.

I rush home from work every day looking forward to seeing my new best friend. She has strengthened my soul and brought real happiness to our household. I thank you for being there for us and for them.

God Bless,
Jay F

P.S. & a noteworthy one!
I truly want thank Linda with follow up of the adoption and the staffer volunteers who put a great deal of effort into overseeing the well being of their charges."

SafeHarbor writes, "We heard about Gizmo when he came into the clinic after being hit by a car. My husband Herb was there and saw that he needed to have his leg amputated. After a blood test revealed that he may have Feline leukemia and might have to be put to sleep, Herb
asked that they wait and retest him later for this disease. They did and he came out negative. We adopted Gizmo and he acclimated himself to walking on three legs. He gets around quite well and even climbs up the stairs without a problem. He is a joy and the sweetest cat who loves to be held and cuddled like a baby.

Karen Baum

Note: On August 27th, 2009, Gizmo was brought to Safe Harbor after being found as a stray in Jupiter Farms. His right hind leg was broken beyond repair and the tibia was exposed. An amputation was needed in order to save his life. Gizmo pulled through the surgery with flying colors and made progress with each passing day. At first he was kept in isolation due to the weak positive result of the initial feline leukemia test. He demonstrated such a will to live and everyone who met him smiled at his antics. After several FELV tests, the lab finally confirmed a
negative test result. Gizmo would finally be able to be adopted into a dream home with The Baums."

Safe Harbor Animal Rescue and Clinic responds to the needs of animals which come under our protection and care. We take this commitment very seriously. Unfortunately, this care doesn't come without a price tag. Read some of our Before and After stories below for more information about some of our recent "Special Needs Cases" and how your donations help improve the lives of these furry friends.

Please help us to continue our work by sending your tax deductible donation to the address listed on this page or you can make a donation online by clicking here.

Animals living in our facility will remain in residence until they are carefully adopted.

Please understand we do not receive any money from any government agency. We are a charity surviving on donations alone, and our capacity is limited.

SafeHarbor writes, "Diamond became part of our family on May 1st, 2010. An infection caused her front right leg to be amputated and her owners never came back to pick her up. Safe Harbor did a wonderful job caring for Diamond and the staff fell in love with her, as did my family and myself. Her missing leg is more than made up for with her heart of gold. Even a month after surgery when we adopted her, she could run, hop, and even sit in chairs. Nothing can hold her back! I have never seen such a happy, loving and thankful dog and we are so glad to have her in our lives.

Brooke Geissler"

Safe Harbor Animal Rescue and Clinic responds to the needs of animals which come under our protection and care. We take this commitment very seriously. Unfortunately, this care doesn't come without a price tag. Read some of our Before and After stories below for more information about some of our recent "Special Needs Cases" and how your donations help improve the lives of these furry friends.

Please help us to continue our work by sending your tax deductible donation to the address listed on this page or you can make a donation online by clicking here.

Animals living in our facility will remain in residence until they are carefully adopted.

Please understand we do not receive any money from any government agency. We are a charity surviving on donations alone, and our capacity is limited.

SafeHarbor writes, "In February 2009 we adopted a beautiful little girl named Gucci. She was thirteen months old at
the time. Her name had been changed to Sophia Gucci as her precious face looked like she should
be called Sophia. Sophia spent almost three months at the Safe Harbor shelter. She had demodex mange and when she was brought there she barely had any hair. For three months she was given treatment of antibiotics, frequent baths, skin scrapings and
other medications. Most of all, she was given lots of love. When she was adopted, I was informed of her daily medical needs of medications, baths, etc. I was also told this process could be for the rest of her life. Since her adoption, she has had only one recurrence of mange, which was treated. Safe Harbors clinic staff and veterinarian, Dr. Gross, always shows her off to the staff when Sophia comes in.It has been almost a year since our lives were blessed with our little Shi Tzu. What a gal she is. Loving, loyal, smart, funny, active, and a little kisser! She goes everywhere with us and loves riding in her car seat on the long trips to Virginia to visit my grandchildren. They have a Great Dane and Boston Terrier whom Sophia loves to play with. I am thankful to own her
and appreciative to Safe Harbor. The love and care she was given attributed to her beautiful personality, considering the pain and suffering she was in. Sophia lights up our lives and is our little sunshine of joy!

Vanessa Pennucci

Note: When Sophia arrived at Safe Harbor she was a pitiful mess. Her skin problems were so bad that her skin was actually sloughing off of her back. She had bald patches, blood and scabs all over her body. Although she was in tremendous pain she still managed to wag her little tail. Her previous owner was not willing to invest any more money on her and decided to surrender her to Safe Harbor. Her diagnosis was Generalized Demodetic Mange and it took months of treatment for her skin to heal and her hair to grow again. She will spend the rest of her life on a special diet to boost her immune system and will always have the possibility of relapsing. On February 10, 2010, Sophia was finally adopted to her forever mommy, Vanessa Pennucci. She did have one relapse since adopted, but as a result of prompt care and attention her demodex was soon under control."

Safe Harbor Animal Rescue and Clinic responds to the needs of animals which come under our protection and care. We take this commitment very seriously. Unfortunately, this care doesn't come without a price tag. Read some of our Before and After stories below for more information about some of our recent "Special Needs Cases" and how your donations help improve the lives of these furry friends.

Please help us to continue our work by sending your tax deductible donation to the address listed on this page or you can make a donation online by clicking here.

Animals living in our facility will remain in residence until they are carefully adopted.

Please understand we do not receive any money from any government agency. We are a charity surviving on donations alone, and our capacity is limited.

SafeHarbor writes, "Michele and Steve Robbins adopted Bear, a chocolate Lab, from Safe Harbor about 2 months ago. Bear had eaten a wire mesh ball which caused an obstruction in his digestive tract and needed surgery.

Unfortunately his previous owners were unable to pay for the surgery and sadly relinquished their dog. Safe Harbors vets did the surgery he needed and a week later Bear was ready to be adopted. We were very lucky as this was the first time since losing our previous dog in May, that we were venturing out to look for another lab. Bear is a good dog, loves people, cats and other dogs....he is however the only Labrador retriever that does not retrieve :)

Michele and Steve Robbins"

Note: Bear was originally brought to Safe Harbor on September 3, 2010 after being referred to Safe Harbor by Banfield Veterinary Hospital in Jensen Beach. He required life saving surgery to remove the rocks he had eaten from his stomach. His owners husband at the time did not believe in paying medical bills for a dog, so in order to save his life the wife surrendered Bear to Safe Harbor."

Safe Harbor Animal Rescue and Clinic responds to the needs of animals which come under our protection and care. We take this commitment very seriously. Unfortunately, this care doesn't come without a price tag. Read some of our Before and After stories below for more information about some of our recent "Special Needs Cases" and how your donations help improve the lives of these furry friends.

Please help us to continue our work by sending your tax deductible donation to the address listed on this page or you can make a donation online by clicking here.

Animals living in our facility will remain in residence until they are carefully adopted.

Please understand we do not receive any money from any government agency. We are a charity surviving on donations alone, and our capacity is limited.

SafeHarbor writes, "Polly Pockets was rescued by the Gardner Family one day while driving down busy Military Trail in West Palm Beach. She looked like she was an approximately 5-6 month old puppy, who just ran onto the busy intersection.

Unfortunately, a car did hit her and broke her hip and fractured her pelvis. She was in bad shape. She was taken to the Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control shelter for care but her injuries were too extensive and expensive to treat. When we called to check on her status they said that she would be put to sleep the next day. We offered to pay for her transfer to Safe Harbor for care. Thankfully, she was saved and spent the next six weeks at Safe Harbors animal hospital. She lovingly earned the affection of all the staff who just loved her and did not want to see her go. We decided to adopt her into our family as soon as she had recovered. She has fit in quite well with our kids and has a big four acre property to play in. She loves to play, and loves to be involved with all the family activities. She fits in quite well with the two preteen boys in the family. She loves to sleep with the boys at night or just wants to be a great friend all the time. She is a beautiful dog too, very pretty, and everyone comments about her good looks. We really are happy with her and she just completes the family. It is a great decision to adopt a pet and it teaches children the value of saving a life.

Safe Harbor does so much for the community, please consider adopting a pet today.

Yazmin Gardner"