Tucker Here's the story from Mark & Brandy Nauman about adopting Tucker:  "We had heard bits and pieces about Safe Haven, but never knew anything about the facility or what they did. It wasn’t until Karli Swope began to volunteer with Safe Haven, did we see the almost-daily updates about the work that she and Safe Haven were doing. Her pictures of the dogs befriending her 2 little daughters on Facebook are powerfully convincing. Not only did these dogs absolutely deserve to be saved from the kill list, but it is impossible to look at the pictures every day without getting involved somehow." More

Cheryl Jankowski and Penny Here's an excerpt of a story sent by Ms. Jankowski's letter to the Cape Gazette and published: "About 3 p.m., Dec. 2, Safe Haven officials found out that there were three Chihuahuas at the Kent County SPCA that were going to be euthanized at 5 p.m. Their owner, a 91-year-old man, had passed away. Someone from Safe Haven went to rescue them from the Kent County SPCA. Cheryl Jankowski opened up her home for a 2-year-old female Chihuahua to foster. Jankowski agreed to foster the female for a week or two until the dog found a home. Jankowski said, 'I fell in love with her and named her Penny. I sing her ‘Pennies From Heaven’ and she wags her tail. Penny was four pounds when I took her into my home and now she is 5.7 pounds. I watched her go from a depressed little dog to a happy little dog. On Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, I signed the adoption papers.' Penny now lives with Blondie and Dorothy, Jankowski’s other Chihuahuas. Homes were also found for the two male Chihuahuas."

Katie the Shi Tzu and Gabby the Hound/Shepherd mix Kristi, Katie and Gabby From Kristi Kdnurm, foster of Katie and Gabby, our senior bonded pair: "Early in 2011, I was looking over the Safe Haven website. I was really interested in visiting the dogs in the kennels, but I remember seeing Katie and Gabby. For some reason, they really tugged at my heart strings. I asked Diane about them, and she got so excited! She gave me a pass on walking dogs if I would take these two in! I said that as long as my dog didn't mind them and that they tolerated the cats we would have a deal. It was quickly arranged that Pumpkin and I meet Katie and Gabby at Stay at Home Kennel. Pumpkin and Gabby just kind of ignored each other. It was no biggie at all! So, Diane packed the two into her car and drove them to my house. We have all had a period of adjustment, but Katie and Gabby have settled in well. I love that I was able to give them a safe place out of the kennels. I know that the kennels have been amazing and have worked really well with Safe Haven, but it is not home. It can be cold, and hard, and scary. Now, Gabby likes to sleep on the couch next to me (Pumpkin and Gabby take turns) and Katie likes to curl up in my down comforter. They tolerate the cats - most days. While the physical building is a little small, my heart is open wide and we have all made room for each other. I cannot adopt Gabby and Katie due to some of their medical issues, but I can give them a great place to rest until they find their home, or until they go over the Rainbow Bridge."

Alex When we rescued Alex (left), he was coughing blood, but his foster family nursed him back to health.   Here is the story from David Hughes, who volunteers for us with his wife, Rita:  “Alex is a senior Sheltie who was dropped off at Kent County SPCA by his owner. The best information that we were able to obtain shows the owner was elderly and no longer at the contact number the SPCA had for him. Alex is mostly deaf and almost totally blind. Luck was with him as Safe Haven rescued him before the SPCA could put him down.  More

Ginger with Adele Ginger Brown is an incredibly dedicated volunteer who truly loves our dogs. "I first discovered Safe Haven in June 2011 and was so happy because this exactly what I've been looking for! I've had dogs all my life and have lived all over the US (being a military wife). Now, I am at a point in my life where I can no longer have dogs for many different reasons. Some of which are, I can't afford the responsibility, i.e. vet bills and just their care in general due to being on a very fixed income, (close to 70 years old) travel a lot to see my children and grandchildren. Volunteering has been a wonderful experience for me and the dogs. I get my "dog fix" and they get my love!  More

Mike Salagaj is one of our volunteers who visits our dogs in the kennels for exercise and socialization. Here's what Mike writes about his volunteering experience: "I have been going to All Aboard and Delmarva for the last few months. I try to go once a week. I love walking and playing with the dogs.  It is easier at Delmarva since they have a larger fenced area.  Lately I have been going more to All Aboard since we seem to have quite a few people going to Delmarva.  It is a great feeling to see them run and play. I wish I could get them all good homes. My wife, Mary Ann, and I have just taken over the Pets on Wheels program for Delaware and that is keeping us busy visiting the rehab centers with our 2 dogs. In general it just makes us feel good about helping any pet in need." Thanks, Mike, for all you do to help our dogs!

Smokey, Cocker Spaniel in center Gizmo & Widget Holly Melzer, Foster of Smokey, Gizmo, and Widget Holly Melzer, who has volunteered for Safe Haven for years. She fostered Smokey, our senior Cocker Spaniel, and found him his forever home. Here is what Holly says about her experience as a Safe Haven foster.  "After a bath, some play with my dogs and food, Smokey fit right in. In fact, he turned into a snuggle bunny. The wonderful thing about Smokey was that a whole tapestry of miracles combined to find Smokey his forever home.  More