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Home of the Donofrio Family Animal Shelter
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ROAR Honors John Katz with
2021 Community Star Award
ROAR recently honored John Katz as its 2021 Community Star Award honoree for his outstanding contributions and support. An original founding member of the ROAR Donofrio Family Animal Shelter, John continues to be a long-time volunteer and supporter of ROAR, and the welfare of animals. He also supports several additional non-profits and organizations in the community that provide assistance to kids and adults who are in need. In addition, for more than 45 years, John has served as a member of the town's Planning and Zoning Commission.
Q: How long have you lived in Ridgefield?
A: "I've been a Ridgefielder virtually all my life, though I attended school elsewhere.
The property I live on was originally owned by my father. He bought it in 1938 at which time the original house was built.The property was added on to over the years with my house being constructed in 1967."
Q: When did your passion for animals and their welfare begin?
A: "I've been a huge dog lover my entire life and have long had a major concern for the welfare of animals. For 20 years, I was a Peace Officer and Special Agent, working for the Westchester County SPCA, out of Briar Cliff Manor. I investigated cruelty cases, making arrests where necessary.
Over the years, we've adopted many dogs from various rescues, ROAR prime among them. Two of our adoptees were "tripods," neither of which seemed phased in the least by their circumstance.
As a family, we raised Welsh ponies, hogs, chickens and other fowl on the property. At present, I share a dog (Ander) with my partner. We adopted Ander from ROAR some nine years ago. He is a wonderful, large, you-guess-what of a mutt, and we adore him."
Q: When did you start volunteering for ROAR and how have you been involved?
A: "I started my association with the ROAR Donofrio Family Animal Shelter more than 20 years ago as part of a small group, then headed by Marcia Libby, which built the facility."
Q: What are your other philanthropic interests?
A: "I have been the head of the Ridgefield Youth Service Bureau since 1986. The agency offers counseling for children and adolescents ages three through 18 and their families. It is the only no-cost or low-cost agency in Ridgefield offering professional counseling services to any youth or family with such a need."
Q: Can you tell me about the Jessa Fund?
A: "I started The Jessa Fund at ROAR many years ago when a call came in from a woman who's Shepherd had a broken front leg and needed surgery and could not afford it. In underwriting that expense, I was made acutely aware of the need to help pet owners who are experiencing financial hardships and need assistance with various veterinary services. It's an ongoing fund that both my brother and I support and contribute to when we can for cases when pet owners reach out to ROAR and need help."
Q: Do you have any advice for individuals who are interested in volunteering for a rescue organization or shelter?
A: "Caring and reliable kennel workers are always a needed asset to a rescue operation so volunteering in that capacity should be paramount."
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Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer
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Even on a day that doesn't seem that hot, the temperature inside your car can quickly climb and put your pet at risk of serious illness and even death. The AVMA notes that leaving the windows open doesn't make a difference.
The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes, and almost 30º F in 20 minutes. At one hour, your vehicle's inside temperature can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature.
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Please Support Our Mission to Save Lives
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Please donate today to our 2020-2021 Annual Appeal so that we can continue to deliver on our mission. Read our Annual Appeal Letter to find out more.
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Please take a moment to read about these special cats at ROAR. They are looking for their perfect humans to take them home!
Abby The Tabby
Abby is an approximately one-year old female Tabby who has been at ROAR searching for her forever home for about two months.
She is a feisty girl with TONS of personality, who likes to follow our volunteers around the cat room, and who is very vocal when she is ready to come out of her cage. Abby can be very sweet, enjoying pets to her head, cheeks and body, but all petting happens on her terms, of course! Abby will rub against your legs and hands, especially when she is looking for treats. Abby is quite entertaining to have around, and will let you know when she has had enough affection. Abby will blossom in a patient home with experienced cat owners, and will do best in a home without small children.
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 Bermuda - The Black Beauty
Bermuda is an almost two-year old black female domestic shorthair who has been waiting at ROAR for her forever home for about three months.
She has a huge personality, and will rub against your legs when she wants your attention. She is happy to gently eat treats from your hand, and a patient and understanding adopter will help her to learn the proper way to indicate that she would like to go back to her favorite activity ... laying on the cat tree by the window to watch the birds and the cars go by!
This sassy girl can be very affectionate, and has a message for her forever home out there ... "I'm ready to be adopted!" Bermuda will do best in a home with experienced cat owners, and without small children.
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 Nino - The Stunningly Handsome Boy
Nino is a seven-year old, blue-eyed Snowshoe mix who is extremely shy but stunningly handsome.
Unfortunately, his shy tendencies mean that his forever family has not yet found him, and he has been waiting at the ROAR shelter for five months.
Nino's background is unclear, so we are not sure why he is so shy, but he LOVES to be pet on his head when laying in his condo ... and will lean into your hand for those deep rubs!
Nino needs an extremely patient adopter who understands that he will need a lot of time to decompress, adjust to your household, and learn to trust. Our mellow designer cat Nino will come out of his shell in a home with very patient, experienced cat owners, and without dogs or small children. Gaining the trust of this handsome boy with the beautiful face will be worth the wait! For more information about these cats or any other adoptable cats or dogs, please visit ROAR's website: www.roar-ridgfield.org/adopt or call to make an appointment 203-438-0158.
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Thank you to all of our June adopters who opened their hearts and homes
and made these lucky pups, dogs, kittens and cats a part of your packs!!!
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Valentina
As with most shelters, ROAR gets many requests for young cats and dogs. They are cute as can be, but also have lots of energy! They love nothing more to eat, play & sleep ... rinse and repeat!
Valentina's family recently checked in with us to tell us how their new kitty was doing. She seems to be settling in just great.
Thank you to the C Family for adding Valentina to their pack and providing her with a loving home, and many thanks to our friends at Blue Buffalo, Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, Canine Company, Linde, Madelyne Gray Interiors, Tito's Handmade Vodka, ANTECH Diagnostics, BMW of Ridgefield & Fairfield County Bank for making Happy Tails like this one possible.
"Hi to all the lovely ROAR staff and volunteers, I am attaching some photos of Valentina. She is settling in very well and getting more mischievous but also very adorable and gentle.
We are all very happy and relaxed together. Play time, food time and rest time all good!"
Thank you!"
~The C Family
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Meet the Artist Who Created ROAR's Great Dane Statue
If you've been around our iconic town of Ridgefield recently, then there is no doubt that you've noticed some beautiful pieces of dog art scattered around in different locations.
A community-wide event benefiting ROAR, Ridgefield Guild of Artists and The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Bow WOW Art Dogs is presented by ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative (ArtFul). This is ArtFul's inaugural public art event to celebrate the power of visual arts in our community.
Who is your favorite dog? Well, we are partial to ROAR's beautiful Great Dane, by artist Dawn Hettrich, located in front of the Ridgefield Library. Find out more about Dawn, her volunteer work for ROAR and how she created the statute.
Q: Why do you volunteer for ROAR? A: "I love animals ... all animals! I grew up with a pet dog always by my side. My professional career includes a great deal of travel so when having a pet became challenging, volunteering for ROAR became my way of staying connected to that love of animals." Q: Since the ROAR Shelter opened, how have you volunteered your expertise? A: "I've volunteered in a creative capacity. I moved to Ridgefield 20 years ago and I led a group effort to paint murals in the newly built shelter and after, helped style the first eight years of the 'ROAR with Laughter' fundraiser. I designed the spotlight silhouette upholstery in the lobby, and it was woven at no cost by one of my clients, a weaving mill in Scranton, PA. I also designed the wooden Giving Tree and painted the silhouettes. My travel and allergies prevented me from volunteering in the shelter but knowing my efforts helped make the events fun and successful has been incredibly rewarding." Q: What is your background in the Arts? A: "I have a Bachelor of Science in Textiles and Design. I'm a professional textile designer, weave technician and artist, which means I create original art and translate it into woven upholstery, vertical surface panel cloth and cubical healthcare curtains. I've been an independent consultant for 25 years now, and have collections under my name in showrooms and with furniture manufacturers. I also have custom project-based work where collaboration is integral to providing an aesthetic that fits an end use or purpose." Q: Bow Wow Art Dogs is a new event for downtown Ridgefield, do you see it becoming an annual event? A: "This is a unique and fresh event for Ridgefield and I feel a version of this will happen again, especially with the recent CT designation of Ridgefield's Cultural District. Any art event tied to help ROAR and other non-profits in town is terrific for the community at large." Q: How did you approach the design for the ROAR Great Dane? A: "Through collaboration! The board wanted to decoupage or integrate adopted dog and cat portraits onto the Great Dane sculpture. I presented several approaches, and we made the choice together. The parameters of Bow Wow Art Dogs included making the project fun and interactive for families. I chose a Harlequin Great Dane which basically has a white body with irregular black patches...I love the playful personality juxtaposed against the formal statue. Harlequins can also have one blue eye and one brown- a great way to provide a unique personality on each side of the Great Dane for the public! Last, I collaged 120 photos of cats and dogs onto the black patches. I liked the asymmetry of the Harlequin's coat with and without photos and feel it invites a closer look. A board member suggested we add a Cat sculpture, so we found one that wasn't lost against the huge scale of the Great Dane. I painted a Tuxedo Cat to join the Harlequin, literally connecting the two Black & White 'Best Friends.'"
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Why Do You Do What You Do?
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Why I volunteer at ROAR and what I've learned:
- Don't wait. If you think about volunteering - go sign up today. I can honestly say ROAR has truly enriched my life. I feel more connected with the community of dedicated volunteers working with these homeless animals.
- Appreciate the hard work of others. There are powerful lessons learned from the animals (especially their unconditional love) and the volunteers who take care of them.
- Apply love and observe the rapid improvement. It doesn't take long. The love in these animals is hardwired whether we earned it or not, and they prove that love is the path to healing.
- These pets are a lesson in perseverance. Next time you get knocked down will you have the courage to get right back up and smile.
- J eremy T., Dog Volunteer
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World's Cutest Dog Contest
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Enter People Magazine's World's Cutest Dog Contest
ATTENTION RESCUE DOG OWNERS: Here's your chance to crown your pup with the title of World's Cutest Rescue Dog.
To enter, upload a photo of your dog to www.people.com/rescuedogcontest (between July 10 and July 30), then tell them how adopting a pet changed your life - and the life of your pet. Don't forget to give a shout-out to ROAR when you submit it!!
Good luck! We just know that one of your dogs will win this!
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Ridgefield Library, Books on the Common & ROAR Present Online Author Talk
Save the date for August 11 at 7:00 p.m. for an online author talk with Melissa Shapiro, DVM, as she discusses her book, Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family!
Please register now for the talk at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org. Books can be preordered from Books on the Common in Ridgefield.
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 Join ROAR & Canine Company for a Virtual Event
ROAR is teaming up with Canine Company for an amazing virtual event for anyone looking to add a new dog into their home.
Thinking about getting a dog or adding another? This FREE event is for you!
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