THE SCOOP
The monthly newsletter of The Animal Haven, Inc.
Published on the 2nd Tuesday of every month
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A Letter
from the President
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HOORAY! -- THE RENOVATIONS ARE BEGINNING
The renovations and total replacement of the heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system at The Animal Haven are going to start this week. We have been planning these changes for a couple of years and are excited beyond words that they are about to begin. We anticipate that the renovations will take a few months, and
we will remain open to the public throughout this time (except for this week).
These renovations will provide the following improvements:
- dramatically improved airflow throughout our facility,
- the separate ventilation of each room that houses animals, which will reduce the spread of virus and disease among our animals,
- new ceiling tiles that will provide greater sound absorbency to reduce kennel noise and the accompanying stress experienced by our dogs,
- new lighting that will result in greater energy efficiency and improved visibility of our adoptable animals, and
- interior alterations that will give the shelter a facelift and also prepare the shelter for a planned future expansion that we hope to build in a few years.
These renovations of the shelter would not be possible without the efforts and generosity of many organizations and people, including:
- Thermal Solutions Sales Company, which has donated two brand new Thermal Solutions Apex boilers to the shelter,
- The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, which awarded us grants from the Lillian and Henry Konopacke Fund to cover part of the cost of replacing the shelter's HVAC system,
- our board member Jim Bonito, a retired contractor, who is overseeing the entire project on a volunteer basis,
- our loyal donors who consistently support us, including Barney Miller, who very generously remembered The Animal Haven in his will, and Mildred Richard, who made a significant donation to assist us with this work, and
- the many organizations and people who have worked with us in keeping our costs down, including Salamone & Associates, P.C. and Quality Mechanical Corp.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you again to everyone who is contributing to this project and assisting us in our efforts to improve the lives of homeless and abandoned companion animals. None of this would be possible without you!
If anyone else would like to donate (or knows someone who might be interested in donating) construction materials, epoxy paint, kitchen appliances, kitchen cabinets, or flooring for this project, please contact Jim Bonito at
jimbonito@gmail.com.
The next few months will be a bit of a challenge, but nothing that our amazing Shelter Manager Michelle DeRosa and staff cannot handle. We just ask for your patience as we go through these renovations, which in a few months will produce a new and improved shelter. So, don’t stay away -- come visit us, consider adopting a four-legged companion, and witness firsthand the changes we are making to improve The Animal Haven!
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Linda M. Marino
President
The Animal Haven, Inc.
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Pet Story of the Month: August 2017
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CAPTAIN
This month’s adoption story is about a male cat named Captain, who has had a rough go of it. He is an eight-year cat who The Animal Haven took in several years ago when we found out that he had been brought to the vet to be euthanized because his family no longer wanted him. Captain was then adopted at the shelter and returned a year or so later because the other cats in the house kept bullying him. He then was at the shelter for more than a year until he finally found his forever home on August 7
th
. The following story by Captain’s adopter tells it all!
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Hi! My name is Jennifer Whitney, and I'd like to tell you about an 8 year old kitty who changed my life.
I am a single mom to a wonderful son who moved out about 2 1/2 years ago. We are very close, and he was my whole life because it was literally just him and me. So at 25 he is a police officer, a homeowner and most importantly, an honorable, moral young man. So why would I be depressed? Loneliness, this place that was once a home was now just four walls filled with memories of my son. I cried every day without fail. My friend Joanne kept on me to get a cat. “You'll love the company it will be good for you!” She was relentless!
One day she went on the internet and came across The Animal Haven and a kitty named Captain -- 8 years old and his story was heartbreaking. He had had a hard life yet was still a loving kitty. She said Jenn “this is you as a cat!” So I read his story and wanted him but was feeling so overwhelmed and depressed that I wasn't sure I would follow through with it. But to my and Joanne's surprise, I did! I met Captain and fell in love. I picked him up a day or so later, and it's been nothing but laughs and a big old love fest!
I renamed him 7O's Elvis ... we call him Sevs for short. And the name fits him because he is "the King." We were made for each other. He face times with Joanne, aka Auntie Jo, and he kisses and rubs the phone when he hears her voice! I talk to him all the time because he never leaves my side. This kitty purrs when he's sleeping! He gives me purpose and happiness. I would encourage everyone to give an older kitty a chance. Your perfect partner may very well be waiting for you overlooked because of age. You have no idea what you are missing! The love, the appreciation that you saved them ... it's real. Sevs turned me into the official crazy cat lady, and I couldn't be happier!!!
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August 2017 SHELTER ACTIVITY
A
nimals brought in:
Cats: 5
Dogs: 3
Total: 8
Animals adopted:
Cats: 31
Dogs: 6
Total: 37
Adoption Returns: 1 dog
Animals spayed or neutered: 19
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UPCOMING EVENTS
23rd Annual
Walk-A-Dog-A-Thon
The Animal Haven is excited to announce that on Sunday, October 22nd, we will be hosting our 23rd annual Walk-A-Dog-A-Thon on the North Haven Green from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This will be a fun event for the entire family, two or four-legged! Event activities will include a one mile dog walk, vendor booths, a pet parade and costume contest, treats for all members of the family, raffle prizes, and much more!
Sunday, October 22nd
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
The North Haven Town Green
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Maggie is a beautiful five-year old Staffordshire and Dogue de Bordeaux mix. She was surrendered to us because her owner, who absolutely loved her, had to give her up because she was working so much and going to school. She believed that Maggie needed more attention and would be better off in a home where she would get the time and attention that she deserved.
Maggie loves, loves, loves people and is friendly to everyone. If you are sitting on the floor, she will crawl into your lap like a lap dog. She has the cutest little face and snorts like a little piglet when she is excited. She loves to play and is particularly good at hide and seek with our staff. She also is very content to sit on a comfy blanket and hang out next to you. Maggie is one of the sweetest dogs at the shelter, and we can’t believe that she is still here. All the volunteers and staff love her. She is great on a leash and house trained. Although she does well with some dogs, she probably would do best in a home with no other dogs and no cats. If you a looking for a loyal and loving companion, come to the shelter and visit Maggie. She will be very happy to meet you, and you will see what a love she truly is!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Kuczenski
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Mike has been giving his time and talents to The Animal Haven for over 10 years! He grew up having dogs in his home, and they were truly his best friends. He became involved with The Animal Haven in 2006 when his aunt suggested that he might enjoy volunteering to walk the dogs at the shelter. That was when Mike met “Toby,” and Toby stole his heart! On his first day, Mike was asked which dog he’d like to walk, and all of the ‘pups’ came romping over and barking with great enthusiasm knowing someone was there to spend time with them. Toby, a Rottweiler mix who was new to the shelter, stayed behind and was quietly watching the hubbub. Mike immediately was drawn to Toby and asked to walk him. Mike and Toby became fast friends, and to this day, Mike thinks of Toby whenever he comes to The Animal Haven.
Mike not only walks the dogs but helps out whenever he can find time from his work in the construction, landscaping and custodial fields. Even when his schedule is full, you usually can find Mike at the shelter most weekends doing whatever is needed, which may include shoveling snow in the winter, landscaping in the spring and summer, or helping to fix things.
Because he isn’t allowed to have pets at his apartment, volunteering at The Animal Haven is the next best thing for Mike. Here, he is able to spend quality time with his canine friends providing them with love, companionship and exercise.
When Mike is not working or volunteering at The Animal Haven, he enjoys weight lifting, exercising, and watching NFL football (he is a Washington Redskins fan). He also is a parishioner at St. Therese Church in North Haven.
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Hours of Operation
Mon: closed
Tues & Fri : 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Wed & Thurs: 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Sat & Sun: 12:00 - 4:00 pm
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