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Saving lives since 1948

A Letter from the President

When The Animal Haven posted a plea on Facebook in September for food and supplies for the animals, we never anticipated the public's amazing response. Within hours, we were fielding requests for multiple TV and radio interviews while unloading boxes upon boxes of food and supplies arriving by car and truck. Many people, too, came to the shelter to volunteer their time to help us unpack and store everything safely inside. Weeks later, volunteers were still unpacking the bounty! Our pantry is stocked many times over now, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the public and all of our supporters. With all the trauma, turmoil and hardship in the world, we feel extremely fortunate to have experienced such kindness. As we head into the holiday season, we are incredibly thankful to everyone who responded to our urgent need for food and supplies.

Linda Marino, President

Keep These Toxic Items Away from Your Pets

By Board Member Arnie Cary, DVM

A rubber band left on the floor. A runaway grape hiding under a cabinet. An opened box of chocolates on the table. These are likely scenarios in anyone’s home. But for those who live with cats and dogs, an unattended food, household item, or plant can often prove lethal. It’s no secret that dogs will eat most anything that drops on the floor and cats think everything is a plaything. Also, cats and dogs can be poisoned by grooming contaminated fur. So, it takes great vigilance to ensure your pet does not ingest anything poisonous or otherwise harmful. To help prevent exposure of your pet to anything poisonous or otherwise harmful, we are providing information from the ASPCA regarding poisonous and dangerous substances. This information includes:

We also are providing the ASPCA's Household Dangers Checklist. Because it is impossible to list everything that is potentially harmful to your pet, it is best to follow this general rule: The only things cats or dogs should ingest are cat food and treats (cats only) or dog food and treats (dogs only), water, veterinarian-approved medications, and human food that is safe for them to eat. (Click the blue highlighted items above to access this important information.)

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, you should call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, which is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).

Focus On: Grace and Frankie

Like the Netflix characters they are named after, Grace (left) and Frankie (right) have learned to rely on each other. Abandoned outside on the street without their mother when they were kittens only weeks old, the bonded sisters were brought to The Animal Haven. We fostered and bottle-fed them and showered them with love and attention. The seven-month-old adorable duo are ready for adoption and waiting patiently for their forever home. “They are the sweetest,” said our fosterer. "They are just little love bugs.“ It would be great if these kittens were adopted together. Fill out an application to adopt Grace and Frankie .

Leave a gift to The Animal Haven in your will. Click below for more information.

Volunteer of the Month: Kathy Radziunas

When she was a teenaged candy striper at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Kathy Radziunas of Northford, encountered a world-famous author who shared a few sage words that guide Kathy's life to this day. The author was Thornton Wilder, who wrote “Our Town.” His counsel to Kathy: Volunteerism is the backbone and greatness of this country. “This has always stuck with me,” Kathy said. “Sometimes I think my volunteering is what I do for myself.” For the past 1½ years, Kathy has been the person behind the camera who takes many of the gorgeous photographs of the dogs and cats at The Animal Haven. Her photographs go beyond showing the rescued animals looking “cute and cuddly”: they capture the soul of an animal. “The biggest reward I get is knowing that sharing love between myself and each animal I interact with makes a positive and meaningful difference,” she said, “hoping that even just one picture I take may mean an adoption. I feel good when someone comments on how gorgeous a cat is and asks if he or she is still available. I feel I accomplished something when a dog will greet me with enthusiasm after weeks of cowering from me or barking at me.” Kathy adopted her dog, Bailey, from us 13 years ago. She became a volunteer after she appeared in court to support Desmond’s Army, a Connecticut-based animal advocacy organization, which was involved in helping The Animal Haven with an animal abuse court case. “Volunteering here is addicting,” she says. “The more you do, the more you want to come back. What I love about The Animal Haven is the camaraderie and attitude of doing what is best for the animals.” We are “addicted” to you, too, Kathy and are very grateful for your talent and commitment to the animals!

Donate to The Animal Haven

Hours of operation: Adoption by appointment only.

If you are interested in one of the animals at the shelter, please fill out and submit an application on our website. If your application is approved, we will be in touch to schedule an appointment. Thank you.