Media And Public Relations Information

www.RescueExotics.org

Safe Haven & Educational Adventures, Inc., a licensed, 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation, is a permanent sanctuary for rescued exotic wildlife. Established in 2007, it is home to over 200 animals that have been abandoned, abused, lost their home through death of the owner, or found to be more than the owners can handle. Safe Haven is governed by a board of directors that includes local veterinarians and zoological and educational professionals so that they can provide the best care possible. It is their goal to provide high quality, safe homes for unwanted animals and to educate the community about the environment and the importance of responsible animal care. Safe Haven provides educational programs for children and adults for schools, scout troops, birthday parties, lectures and other special events. The directors have a vast array of experiences to draw from and they can cater to almost any request for an educational program for all ages. Some program topics include native wildlife, exotic animals, various habitats, responsible pet care and animal behavior. All programs are done on an outreach basis because Safe Haven is not open to the public on a regular basis. An open house for anyone to visit Safe Haven is held a couple times a year.

Our History:

Safe Haven was started by Kim L. Chiswell and S. Nigel Platt. It officially became a non-profit organization in July of 2007. Kim has worked in the zoological field for over 15 years and Nigel has about 25 years of professional zoological experience. Kim has worked in zoos throughout the southeast and Nigel started in England before working in several zoos throughout the United States. One thing that was common at all the places they worked was the numerous exotic “pets” that needed homes. Zoos are always on the top of list of places that people would call but there just isn’t enough room for so many additions. Over the years Kim and Nigel had both developed their own mini collections of animals trying to help out. It wasn’t long before they realized that there was a need for a more permanent solution. They received both their USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) exhibitor’s license and their permit to house American Alligators from the SCDNR (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) in the spring of 2009. The organization was created as not only a sanctuary but also as a source of education to teach people the responsibility of pet ownership and proper pet care. In 2012 Safe Haven partnered with Scaly Adventures to develop children’s television programming that will be broadcast internationally starting in the fall of 2013.

Areas of Expertise:

Reading and interpreting animal behavior

Solving animal behavior problems

Exotic and domestic animal training

Venomous snakes

Animal based educational programs for all ages

Animal management; welfare and behavior

Zoological Nutrition

Crocodilians

All genres from mammals to invertebrates

Reptile identification and husbandry

Native Bird Identification

Native Plant Identification

Native flora and fauna identification

Guided nature tours, both native and African

Husbandry consultant on reptile care

Husbandry consultant on exotic animal care

Press Attention:

Safe Haven has appeared in the following:

Publications:

The Greenville News Sept 5, 2008 pg 5D

Pickens County Courier June 17, 2009 pg 1B

The Greenville News June 22, 2009 pg 1C

Pickens County News July 7, 2009 pg 2B

The Independent Mail Feb 25, 2011

The Pickens Sentinel Mar 23, 2011 pg 2A

The Greenville Journal Oct 28, 2011 pg 8

TV Shows:

Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly WSPA May 28, 2009

The Peggy Denny Show WGGS July 2009

Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly WSPA Aug 19, 2009

News Channel 7 WSPA Feb 28, 2011

News Channel 7 WSPA Oct 19, 2011

Atlanta Live WATC Sept 18, 2012

Niteline WGGS Mar 13, 2013

**To view the segments click on the title to open the news page**

MEDIA INFORMATION