Our story starts at Norfolk Naval Base, that's where most of our residents used to live - in colonies along the waterfront - before they came to Safe Kitty Harbor. Most likely, most of these cats were pets that belonged to families that lived in Base Housing. When the families received orders that they had to move, they probably were not allowed to take any pets with them. Unfortunately, the famil
ies did not have their animals spayed or neutered, even more unfortunate; however, these cats were abandoned and left to fend for themselves. The Navy has been known to "recruit" cats to work on their ships and in their buildings to keep the rats and mice away, so it's possible that some of these cats may have ended up in these colonies that way as well. Nevertheless, they were abandoned, and it was heartbreaking to see them scared, starving, and constantly having kittens as they were trying to survive on their own. A small group of compassionate individuals decided they were going to do something about it. These people worked together, and with the help of several dedicated rescue groups and sympathetic veterinarians, they were able to get all of these cats spayed or neutered. Homes were found for the friendly cats, and, following “T/N/R", guidelines set forth by MeowerPower and AlleyCatAllies, the "un-adoptable" or "feral" cats were returned to their colonies. These colonies were scattered along the waterfront and other "environmental niches" all over the 474 acres that make up the Norfolk Naval Base. For several years, there was a period of peaceful coexistence between the cats and Base officials. However, when the Navy got a new Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and it was announced that the Navy would now be enforcing a "trap and kill" policy to eliminate these cats from the Base, it became evident that something was going to have to be done to keep these kitties out of "harm’s way". Estimates were that there were anywhere from 75-150 cats living in these colonies! Knowing that these cats were in danger and had to be re-located was one thing... making all that happen was quite another! Over the next couple of years, and through a series of events that is described by those who know the situation best as a miracle, by and through the Grace of God, land was purchased and a sanctuary was built just for them! That sanctuary is Safe Kitty Harbor and is located on 11 acres in rural Chesapeake VA. This 5,304 sq ft indoor/outdoor, cage-free facility is home to the 11 colonies of feral and un-adoptable cats previously located on the Norfolk Naval Base.
