About SAFER

SAFER, Seacoast Area Feline Education and Rescue, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the well-being of feral and homeless cats and kittens left abandoned in numerous areas in the NH Seacoast area.

Why are these cats homeless?

These feral and homeless cats are a huge part of the growing pet over-population problem everywhere. The number of feral cats in the U.S. has been estimated at 60 million. Ferals are the wild offspring of domestic cats, and ALWAYS the result of pet owners who fail to spay or neuter their animals. It is estimated that a pair of breeding cats and their offspring can produce over 400,000 cats in 7 years.

Where do these cats live?

These cats sleep under rocks on the beaches, in parks, alleys, farmyards, barns and abandoned buildings. Cast off by their families often renters during the summer season unsterilized housecats eventually band together in groups called colonies. Mothers teach kittens to be wary of humans, to defend themselves, and they become feral. They make their homes wherever they can find food.

When was SAFER started?

In 1998, SAFER was organized by a group of caring residents and business owners who found many abandoned and homeless cats in the NH Seacoast.

What are SAFER goals?

One of SAFER goals is to educate the public about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. Our immediate objective is to humanely trap, medically clear, spay or neuter and release these cats.

Why are these cats released?

If a cat is found to be healthy after a veterinarian check-up, it is released. When we come across a potentially adoptable kitten or cat, we place it in foster care to prepare it for adoption.

Who is responsible for the care of these cats?

People like you!

Generous, caring residents, in cooperation with SAFER, volunteer their time, energy and money to provide feeding sites with consistent feeding schedules. Other volunteers donate supplies and/or spend numerous hours trapping, building shelters, or constructing feeding stations.

Pictured here is a SAFER volunteer who daily replenishes the feeding stations with food and water.