Prudential Connecticut Realty Staff And Pets Support Pound

By Kendra Bobowick

Timid tugs against a leash turned to playful lunging as sleek German shorthaired pointers, labs, and mixed breeds nosed toward one another. A four-month-old quivering Great Dane named Sara Rose held her head down but keen eyes looked up at the crown of dogs and people gathering around her at Prudential Connecticut Realty on Church Hill Road Tuesday.

Some on leashes and others hand-held, the dogs and their owners all met this week so the “pets could donate to the dog pound through their owners,” said agent Barbara Snyder. The office staff and agents made a $500 contribution to Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN), which will boost the advocates’ campaign to raise funds for a new dog pound.

“It’s wonderful a business stepped up to help us out,” CAN President Virginia Jess said. Now in the early part of its second year, CAN’s campaign to raise funds to build a new, larger, more accommodating dog pound in Newtown continues.

Aside from making a contribution, Prudential has become an additional site for supporters to drop off contributions of their own, and purchase a car magnet for $3.

The fund for the new pound is now more than $100,000, but Ms Jess anticipated a lot of work ahead. She had seen one nearby pound built for $500,000, but expressed doubts.

“I no longer think we’ll do it for that amount,” she said. Based on comparisons to pounds in neighboring town, she said, “Facilities are between $1 and $2 million.” Remaining realistic, she said, “We’re not building this for people, it’s for dogs.” Like other pounds she has visited, she admitted Newtown will not need a full locker room, for example. “We’ll be cost effective,” she said.

Already Ms Jess said she has received pro-bono work from architect Jarrett Crooks of Trumbull, and cost estimates from Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction Inc. on Berkshire Road. Ms Jess said she wants something with more space and better lighting. “We have gotten a lot of ideas from other places,” she said. Inspired by Prudential’s contribution, she said that she hopes other corporate and business sponsors will join her efforts along with the many individuals and groups that have already donated. She also appreciates the pro-bono assistance.

An annual tag sale and fundraiser at Dr Evans’s (now retired) office on Mount Pleasant Road will be held this weekend. See related photo, this issue.