Canine Advocates Fundraising For New Pound—

Doing A Little Better For A ‘Friend’

By Kendra Bobowick

Animal lovers find the Newtown Dog Pound inadequate for the abandoned, abused, and orphaned animals relying on it for a home. Criticized as too small and unsanitary, the pound is tucked among industrial-size bins of raw trash in its corner behind the landfill, which volunteers describe as a virtual mine field.

Canine Advocates of Newtown volunteer Karen Nash, who makes time each week to walk the dogs, said she must “steer around [debris] and keep the dogs from drinking out of things that are sometimes shiny like maybe there is antifreeze floating in it.”

Advocates organizer Virginia Jess provides a graphic summary of dump conditions. She said, “There are dirty diapers and old pork chop bones” littering the area. Ms Jess has set her fundraising goal at $500,000.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal acknowledges problems.

“I have known for a long time that we need a better facility, it’s a tough location near the transfer station, but finding a new location is difficult.” Problems are also evident to kennel attendant Carolee Mason, who describes some problems.

“Sometimes the drains are backed up, our facility’s drainage is terrible,” she said, creating difficulty in rinsing out the dogs’ living space. Depending on the pound are “strays, some are abandoned, abused, infested, or have been neglected by people,” said Ms Mason. “The dogs deserve better than this,” she said. “In society now, I see no reason for the dogs to suffer.”

Speaking up for the dogs, Ms Mason said, “They will go on to make great household pets, but they deserve a better start.”

Animal lovers are determined to find the pound a home of its own. Ms Jess is “just beginning to approach businesses,” she said.

One generous businessman and obvious dog lover provided a $5,000 kickoff donation.

Matt DeAngelis of Yankee Discount Wine & Liquors has seven dogs “that would otherwise be dead,” if he and his wife had not adopted them, he said.

Considering the Newtown pound’s conditions, he said, “They’re pretty abysmal.”

In his experience he described pound dogs as “already scared.” Worse, the animals are living side-by-side to the “trucks full of fowl smelling” loads coming into the landfill.

Mr DeAngelis said, “They’re scared and stuck in the cage.” His support of a new pound also comes with additional thoughts. Regarding potential dog owners seeking to adopt, he said, “I hope the new pound has some training classes for the prospective people.” He would like to see the animals have the best possible start in a new home.

“If someone could go for a type of ‘basic training’ there might be less failed adoptions,” he said.

Also making a significant donation was Maureen Donnell, who contributed $800 in recognition of her dog Misty’s eighth birthday. Misty, a blue merle Shetland sheepdog, has seen the spotlight before when she was named Queen of the Newtown Bee’s top dog contest. Misty still reigns. Her first public appearance was in 2004 at the 43rd Annual Newtown Labor Day Parade.

Ms Jess has begun fundraising with single-minded aim. “Our big thing is to get the pound out of the dump,” she said. “With a new pound we can have a decent place to walk them and more room.”

Already counting her way to $500,000 with the help of Mr DeAngelis, for one, Ms Jess also is thankful for students’ efforts.

“Children in town really love the pound,” Ms Jess said. Some student groups are planning fundraisers, or have already made contributions to Canine Advocates of Newtown. A recent high school fundraiser brought in $2,000 when students sold dog items provided by private donor Douglas McLennan.

So far, Ms Jess said she has roughly $15,000 accumulated toward her goal.

Normally advocates raise funds to cover costs of vaccinations, and spay and neuter fees prior to adoption. However, relocating and improving the pound has become urgent.

Mr Rosenthal confirms that he is “definitely behind this. I told them the town will certainly support them when the time is right.”

Although he was not aware of advocates’ desires in time to make possible adjustments to the capital plan, he is “pretty sure” the municipality will still offer financial assistance. Mr Rosenthal said he may be able to “convince the town to match funds” in the future. He also discussed “a couple proposals at the Fairfield Hills property that the state is still in the process of conveying to the town, that might serve as a facility.”

Confident in the advocates’ efforts, Mr Rosenthal said, he would use his office “to assist moving the project along if they have enough support from the public.”

He encourages the public “to support efforts, it’s certainly needed.”

Ms Jess said she is currently approaching businesses in town hoping they will contribute to her drive for a new pound.

Puppy Love

Regardless of the “bad situation” at the pound, Ms Nash admired the personnel and volunteers alike, saying, “There is a lot of love there, a lot of love.”

Ms Nash makes further appeals for improving dogs’ circumstances.

“Dogs are pure love. They love you no matter what,” she said. She warns of misconceptions that may put a pound puppy at a disadvantage.

Four-legged-friends awaiting adoption deserve the same considerations as any other dog. “People think pound dogs are different, but they are not. They just want to love you and lick your face. They just want to be loved and love you.”

Advocates devote their time to being companions to dogs confined to the pound. She said, “We have walkers every day to make sure they have a walk. They are brushed and socialized.” Further, the advocates and volunteers, “get to know a lot about the dog before adoption — is he good with children, good with cats, would this dog be good with someone older?”

With her group’s help, adoption fees for residents are only $5. She said, “Our money pays the complete costs of vaccines, spay, neuter.”

Animal Control Officer Gerri Breyan and Ms Mason spend their days with several kittens they were “finally able to catch” from their mother who lives at the landfill, Breyan said, but the facility, a small front office, supply room now stacked with dog crates where the young cats are living, and the long cemented hallway with dog cages on either side, is cramped. From the cage’s hallway side the dogs can rest, eat, and keep warm. Through a door they can slip outside to a fenced in and small area.

This week, one 30-pound “all-American mongrel,” as Ms Breyan calls her, Chopsy, sniffed and wandered through the office looking for a treat and comfortable seat. With her snout slightly graying, Chopsy hopes to be adopted by someone who will keep her as an only pet, and let her lounge on the couch and offer lots of affection. Ms Breyan said Chopsy had been abused. She is a friendly and loving dog, however, who would “make a great pet for someone older,” she said.

Other pound dogs include Jonah, 18 months, a shepherd/lab mix who likes people, cats, children, and needs to go for walks and Jodi, who is roughly 4 or 5 years old and “loves people but must be the only pet, and walks beautifully on a leash,” Ms Breyan said. She is part pit-bull. Finally there is Amber, an Australian shepherd who had “wandered into” a business in Newtown and had “Lyme disease, sores on her belly, a cough, and needed to be spayed,” Ms Breyan said. The 5-year-old is now ready for adoption.

The process is particular, and Ms Breyan makes home visits, verifies all information on the one-page application, and asks that the family, including pets, visit with the animal they wish to adopt so they pound dog can “interact,” she said.

Ms Breyan said that families should consider some training courses, offered free, or even phone consultations with a local trainer who will help them determine how best to manage a new pet.

Adoption inquiries and questions should be directed to the Municipal Animal Control Officer at 426-6900.

Contributions to Canine Advocates of Newtown and their fundraising efforts should be mailed to PO Box 236, Newtown CT, 06470, or visit canineadvocates.org.