WELLS — Joey, a long-loved shelter cat suffering from kidney disease, got the best Christmas present he could have hoped for over the weekend: a new home.

His days are numbered; a veterinarian estimated Joey has about a year left to live, but he’ll be spending it in the loving care of a family who wants him.

It isn’t that the shelter didn’t want him, but any shelter’s ultimate goal is for its animals to be adopted, and kittens with special needs are harder to place.

Safe Haven Humane Society ”“ which provides shelter for about 60 cats, and whose members and supporters foster 40 more ”“ held an open house at its thrift shop, next to the IGA at Wells Corner, on Saturday. The thrift shop supports operations at a rented shelter space ”“ a Cape Cod-style home about half a mile north of the shop. Less than half a mile south of the thrift shop is the society’s new shelter ”“ an older, former daycare building that requires an extensive overhaul. The new shelter is getting the renovations it needs, but funds are running dry, said shelter president Joyce McKay.

The shelter is being renovated with the help of volunteers like contractor Rex Lambert, who, along with his wife Judy, is committed to the cause, and part-time Wells resident Gary Everbeck. Everbeck and his wife Bonnie live in Massachusetts during the off-season, but have come to Wells every weekend for months to work on the project.

“It’s a cause I believe in,” said Everbeck.

The proceeds from Saturday’s thrift shop open house are earmarked for the capital fund for renovations.

The thrift shop was decorated for Christmas, and the merchandise was ”“ and still is ”“ eclectic. Those with a love of reading could purchase a handful of gently used paperbacks for 50 cents per copy. There was vintage china and some clothing, handmade baby bibs and furniture, and just about anything you can think of. There was gift wrap and knick-knacks and videos and more. As well, board members and supporters put on a spread of refreshments. Santa paid a visit, too, and some carolers were scheduled to entertain.

The stars of the thrift shop, of course, were the half-dozen or so bright-eyed cats who live there. One of them, Kanga, was content to cuddle with Santa, while others succumbed to the delight of tempting toys dangling in front of the cages. A couple of half-grown tabby kittens, which were born feral and are gradually becoming socialized, obligingly grabbed for the toys.

Kanga, the black and white “tuxedo” cat, came to Safe Haven Humane Society with her kitten, Roo. The pair were found on Laudholm Farm Road some time ago. Kanga was unresponsive, said McKay.

You wouldn’t know it now. Perfectly relaxed and purring, she cuddled down for photos with Santa and calmly accepted the pats of those who stopped by.

A tour of the new shelter at 1420 Post Road, Route 1, shows the extent of the renovations. The shell of the facility remains, but existing interior walls were removed and the building has been reframed. A portion of the building that was in particularly poor condition has been replaced, and there will be new floors, new electric work, new plumbing and insulation, all of which, McKay said, comes with a price. There have been welcome donations, but more are needed to complete the project, she said, adding that a hefty expense was cleaning mold from the basement ”“ a removal contractor provided a reduced price for the work, but it was still a large expense.

In all, a handful of volunteers are engaged in the building project. Rex Lambert said it has been ongoing for 120 days.

When complete, among other features, the new shelter will have a separate intake area for cats new to the shelter. Now, in the rented home on Route 1, the only space for intake or quarantine, if that is necessary, are the small bathrooms.

When the new shelter is open, which it will be by the end of February, Rex Lambert estimated, there will be much rejoicing.

“We know the cats out there are going to be safe,” said McKay.

Back at the thrift shop, Dave and Cathy, who winter down South, were selecting some baby bibs they’ll sell at a flea market there to benefit the shelter.

Lynn McGuire, another supporter, has five cats at home, though she didn’t set out to acquire that number, she said. She fostered a pregnant cat, and when the babies came, well, you know the rest.

“I love them,” she said.

Those who wish may make tax-deductible donations to Safe Haven Capital Fund, by mail at: P.O. Box 1842, Wells, ME 04090; online at: safehavenhumanesociety.org; or by calling 229-8314.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].