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Happy May!
DAWS has been bustling and full of celebrations, with 236 animals rescued and adopted year to date, the renovation is swiftly moving along, and kitten season is here!
In this edition, you'll find save the dates on adoption events, information on our Putt Fore Paws Golf Tournament, learn about the next phase of the renovation, discover a unique naming opportunity in our brand-new kennel, and meet our Pets of the Month. Find out who our featured team member is, learn about National Foster Care Month, and check out who has been supporting us from our local community!
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A Message from DAWS Renovation Chair, Cheryl A. Rykowski: | |
We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our renovation project! The entire new kennel and all other renovated spaces have been re-roofed, and by the time you read this, every part of the roof will have been re-shingled. It’s gorgeous!
Special thanks to our roofer, Chris Souppa, and his team from Souppa Home Improvement. “Mechanical Rough-In” continues with substantive progress on HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work to begin shortly. With a roof over our heads, we can soon put a floor under our feet when we pour concrete slab throughout. With continued gratitude to our builder, Tary Tarlton of Kenosia Construction, for his tireless efforts on our behalf. Thank you for your continued support and for following along on this journey with us! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at Cheryl.Rykowski@daws.org.
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Thank you to John Madaus of Pro Chek for this amazing drone video capturing our monthly renovation progress! | |
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There are many giving options available in support of our Renovation Campaign. Naming Opportunities allow you to honor a loved one or pet, list your name or business, or remain anonymous.
Our new Dog Kennels will be a very modern and efficient kennel system through Patterson Veterinary! This internal structure will create individual “bedrooms” for each dog in our care awaiting adoption. These new stainless-steel kennels are attractive, strong, safe, and easy to clean. Some of the kennels even have the flexibility to expand so they can comfortably accommodate very large dogs or bonded pairs.
If you are interested in learning more, please get in touch with Alice Meenan, Director of Development and Marketing, at 203-794-4223 or Development@daws.org.
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Four local businesses, The Toy Room, Byrd's Books, Patricia's Presents, and Gemini Dream Jewelry Design, are hosting a Kitten Shower for us this weekend!
It is our busy kitten season, and we would love donations of kitten food. Meet adoptable kittens, enjoy a cat-themed activity, and have special treats.
You will receive a goodie bag and a raffle ticket with each donation! Each location has prizes and a jar for raffle tickets - you can decide which one you'd like to add your ticket to!
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We hope to see you there! To learn more about these events or to volunteer, please contact: Suanne McManus –communityoutreach@daws.org | |
PUTT FORE PAWS - Monday, July 10th, 2023! | |
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Our Annual Putt Fore Paws will return on Monday, July 10th, at the beautiful Redding Country Club. Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunities are available now. Thank you to our current sponsors!
Individual Golf Tickets and Foursomes are available for purchase!
Please contact Alice Meenan at development@daws.org with all inquiries. Thank you for supporting DAWS!
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April was a wonderful month at DAWS! Our fantastic team found homes for 69 displaced animals. Would you welcome a dog or cat to your family this year? Be sure to visit our website to learn how. Foster to Adopt is a great option too! | | |
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Katana is our Cat of the Month for May! If you adopt Katana this month, her adoption fee will be 25 % off!
She is 2-years-old and weighs 7 lbs. Her 10-year-old foster sister says " Katana is sweet, friendly, chill, fierce and playful. She loves to purr when you pick her up. She is beautiful, cuddly and she loves her toys and stuffies. Katana is also outgoing, smart and loves attention a lot!"
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Maisie is our Dog of the Month for May! She is a five-month-old lab/pit mix and weighs 29 lbs.
Her foster says, "Miss Maisie is beginning to come out of her shell. With patience and lots of affection, she is opening up and trusting new humans more each day. Maisie is doing very well with housetraining and comes when called. She plays well with my dog and loves outside time."
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To learn more about our animals available for adoption, please email daws@daws.org with your questions!
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PAWS TO LEARN: National Pet Foster Month | |
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May is celebrated as National Pet Foster Care Month to highlight the importance of fostering pets for their safety and well-being.
As it is National Foster Care Month, we want to draw attention to an excellent means of aiding a homeless animal. If you cannot adopt a permanent pet for your household, you could make a significant difference by becoming a foster parent. In 2022 we had 130 foster families assist DAWS in fostering almost 700 animals before adoption. Thank you Fosters! By temporarily taking care of a dog or cat, you can create valuable space at DAWS and facilitate the path for the animal to be adopted into a caring home. Please email foster@daws.org if you are interested in joining our foster community.
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MEET THE TEAM: MARGOT FOLEY | |
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This month, meet Margot Foley, a Veterinary Technician who has been a part of the DAWS community for many years.
Margot Foley is a passionate veterinary technician who has dedicated her career to helping animals. She has worked in several veterinary clinics throughout her career, but her time with DAWS, which began over twenty years ago, holds a special place in her heart.
Margot started her career as a veterinary technician in the late 1990s at Bethel Veterinary Hospital. During this time, she worked on spay and neuter surgeries for DAWS as their own clinic at the shelter wasn’t operating yet. She also worked with renowned veterinarians Dr. Tom Nero and Dr. Larry Pazzullo.
Margot loves the opportunity she gets to work alongside Dr. Cary Brenner and the rest of the staff at DAWS. In addition, she takes great pleasure in seeing the variety of dogs and cats that come into the clinic and helping them have a healthy, happy life with their new family. She says, “Working at DAWS has made her life more meaningful; it gives me the satisfaction of knowing I have helped make a difference.”
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Our five dogs, foster families, and volunteers had a blast celebrating the 140th Anniversary of Ridgefield Supply.
Thank you so much for having us and to everyone who greeted our pups, applied to adopt or came by with DAWS alum!
To learn more about these events or to volunteer, please contact: Suanne McManus –communityoutreach@daws.org
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Thank you to Claudia Hertwig from Ridgefield High School and the 6th Grade Students at East Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield, who both had donation drives for DAWS. Your generosity and support have significantly impacted and helped us continue our mission to save and improve the lives of animals in need. Thank you for making a difference! | | |
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While our shelter is undergoing exciting renovations, our Amazon Wishlist and Chewy wishlists are easy ways to support our needs.
Kitten Season is upon us! We would appreciate supplies to help support the high demand for local kitten rescues. We also added puppy food to our wishlist this month!
To make other arrangements for in-person drop-off to our temporary location in Newtown, please e-mail receptionist@daws.org. Thank you!
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