A Letter from the President |  | |
Come next week, most folks will be enjoying the annual rituals of gathering family and friends to share a meal, watch football or the Thanksgiving Day parade and, most likely, fall asleep on the couch. But some people will spend Thanksgiving Day covering a work shift so others can enjoy the holiday at home or volunteering at a homeless or animal shelter so that those less fortunate (or totally helpless) can feel less alone. At The Animal Haven we depend on our staff and volunteers seven days a week -- including holidays -- to feed, nurture, and socialize the many animals in our care. While Thanksgiving is set aside to give thanks, we are grateful every day for the innumerable ways our staff, volunteers and supporters contribute to the lives of our animal residents. Thank you to all...and Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. If you're concerned your Thanksgiving table might be offering anything harmful to pets (including organic carrots that have been recalled recently), please check these links:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/thanksgiving-pet-safety
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-o121.html
|  | |  |
Goffin Estate Gift Provides Substantial Support To The Animal Haven's Life-Saving Work | Last spring, we reported that Howard Goffin of Wallingford had died and bequeathed his entire estate to The Animal Haven. We recently received a visit from Steven Allinson of Allinson & Associates, LLC., Steve and Debbie Masella, Chiria Groth, and Britney Berg, who presented The Animal Haven with an extremely generous check from Howard Goffin's estate. Mr. Goffin’s gift also was made in memory of his brother, Stuart, who died in 2016. “The Animal Haven is overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of Howard and Stuart Goffin,” said President Linda Marino. “We are extremely grateful for this gift, which will have a huge impact on the lives of many, many animals by providing significant resources for The Animal Haven's life-saving work." | 2025 Open House Schedule Expanded | Our open-house events, which allow members of the public to visit with our animal residents, have been such a success that we are expanding the schedule! The next open house is Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Beginning in January 2025, open houses will be held twice a month from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month . | | |
| |
Jett is eight years old and has been at The Animal Haven since November 2021. What he wouldn’t give for a home of his own! Jett was a stray cat, who had been dumped when a woman got evicted. He was brought to us by a Good Samaritan who said that she witnessed Jett being kicked by kids on Halloween night. Because of the trauma Jett sustained, he sometimes has seizures and trouble balancing. He has difficulty with the litter box and some times uses pee pee pads instead. Jett is very affectionate and loves to roll around on the floor. If you are willing to give Jett a chance, we would welcome a foster-to-adopt situation to ensure that the adoption would work out. If you are interested in fostering Jett, please email us at theanimalhavenstaff@gmail.com. | |
Adoption Success Story: Matt and Shyla | |
Matt Miller of Guilford was looking to adopt a dog that he hoped would be “a good match.” Enter Christine Cummings, co-founder of A Place Called Hope Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Killingworth. Through Christine, Matt heard about Shyla, a dog at The Animal Haven. Shyla was found last year tied to a pole with a slash in her neck. She found a safe place in our shelter and soon revealed her affectionate, fun-loving nature. Matt’s meeting in June with Shyla at the shelter confirmed what he had been told by Christine: “Shyla was special. I knew right away she was the one.” Matt says that being with Shyla “gets better every day. When I wake up Shyla greets me enthusiastically with a hug and dog kisses. She makes everything better. I won the adoption lottery. Thanks for the gift!” You’re welcome, Matt, but it’s all of us at The Animal Haven who thank you for giving Shyla a wonderful life!
| |
Volunteer of the Month: Brandon S.
| |
 | What began as a way for Brandon S. of Cheshire to make time in his busy family-business schedule to reconnect with his lifelong love of animals has become what he calls “the heartwarming highlight of my week.” Brandon started in October 2023 as a volunteer dog walker on Saturdays, but quickly took on “the cat-side of things” on Sundays. “I just love being able to help out in any way I can,” Brandon said. “I make an effort to build relationships with both the dogs and cats; that time, patience, and empathy goes an incredibly long way in their regaining trust in humans." Brandon’s list of favorite cat and dog shelter residents is long and delightfully descriptive: there are the “three stooges,” (Mario, Smiley and Gidget); “my girl, Stumpy (aka Funfetti, seen in photo)” and Rusty, who is “very shy (but who) wonderfully came out of his shell.” For Brandon, it’s all about the connections he’s made with the animals and fellow volunteers. “It’s given me a tremendous sense of joy,” he said. “My weekends at the shelter are something I always look forward to.” | | |
|
|
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.
| | | | | |
