Canine Advocate Group Gets Help From Kids

By Susan Coney

Fifth grade students from Virginia Jess’s religious education classes recently raised $750 to be donated to Canine Advocates, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, safety, and health of the dogs at the Newtown Dog Pound. The group assists in the adoption process, promotes rescue referrals, helps to provide vaccinations, and spay/neutering services. Members of the group also give an added touch by walking, brushing, and providing human interaction with dogs placed in the pound.

The St Rose students raised the funds by selling “Adopt-a-Pet” bracelets and taking donations from members of St Rose Church following mass. The children stood outside the church after mass for five weeks selling and accepting donations from generous animal lovers.

Fifth grader Lindsay Jossick said, “Lots of people just donated money. One man dropped in a hundred dollar bill!” Tyler Coleman said that all of the people they asked for donations were so nice and very generous. He said, “One lady had forgotten her purse and went back out to the car to get some money.”

Instructor Virginia Jess said, “We got to go to church and pray together and then got together to help out the pound. What could be better than that!”

Half of the money collected will go toward a new facility that is in the planning stages while the remainder will be used for the medical needs of dogs at the existing pound. Canine Advocates hopes to make physical improvements at the pound and eventually help in its relocation away from the dump.

In a separate effort to raise money for Canine Advocates, the Newtown Middle School Interact Club will be hosting a fundraiser from noon to 3 pm on Saturday, December 17, at Paws on Main pet store located at 268 Main Street in Monroe.

Paws on Main store owner and Sandy Hook resident Diane Alena will generously allow the group to set up a table in her store to collect donations. The Interact Club will be selling Canine Advocate T-shirts, blue and white “Adopt-a-Pet” bracelets, and homemade dog biscuits made by Interact member Jessica Cherry. Paws on Main will also be donating a portion of the sales that day to Canine Advocates.

For more information about how to help contact Canine Advocates of Newtown Inc, at 426-5327 or visit www.canineadvocates.org.