Ashford, Conn. – Wednesday, August 23,
2006 – 11AM- Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary
announced the beginning of the first phase of construction
to create a pet resource center and domestic animal sanctuary
on 43 acres of donated land in Ashford, CT. The event,
held in Ashford, CT, was hosted by the hilarious Damon Scott
from 96.5 WTIC-FM. The announcement included a real-life canine
construction crew along with a group of committed volunteers
and donors.
At the event, CEO and Co-founder Susan Linker announced details
about the project including the unveiling of architectural
renderings and site plan. The Honorable Congressman Rob Simmons
made a brief presentation along with Representative Diana Urban
and Representative Pam Sawyer. To top if off, a secret
celebrity spokes-cat, which was unveiled to be WFSB’s
Scot Haney, lead the crowd in a delectable toast of Dog Drool
Soda while chanting: “Cats rule! Dogs drool!”
In January of 2006, Our Companions launched a 10-year, capital
campaign called Home for Good – A Place for Our Companions. This
campaign will create New England’s first large-scale
pet resource center and domestic animal sanctuary.
Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Groundbreaking Campaign,
the first phase of construction (a two-year, 2 million dollar
phase) will begin in September with the demolition of the biggest
buildings in the Town of Ashford – factory style
chicken coops which remain from the land’s previous use
as an industrial egg farm.
After demolition the outdoor recreational center will be constructed.
This will include a dog park, reflection gardens, interpretative
hiking trails, nature preserve, bird observation area, and
pond-side picnicking. Also included in Phase One is the
construction of a Pet Resource Center. This multi-use facility
will offer life-saving services including low-cost dog training
and behavioral modification programs, high-volume free sterilization
for feral cats and an education center that can seat up to
500 people. The Resource Center will also be the site
of regular events that include Adopt-a-Thons and other community
educational programs.
“The goal is to create a destination for pets and animal
lovers,” says Gail Perkins, a Board member of Our Companions
and donor to the Capital Campaign. “Beyond its function
of saving animals, sanctuaries attract people who want to become
involved in animal welfare, but find the high-stress environment
of traditional shelters too depressing. The sanctuary
will be a beautiful place that will mobilize pet-minded people
and save countless animals.”
Congressman Rob Simmons added, “As a proud pet-parent
of four beautiful dogs, I am so happy to see animal welfare
improving in Connecticut. This project will certainly be a
wonderful resource for people and animals – what a more
perfect location than the beautiful northeast corner.”
Phases Two and Three will include the animal housing components
where homeless pets at risk of being destroyed will be transferred
to the sanctuary for rehabilitation and adoption. The
sanctuary housing will be constructed to resemble a quaint
New England-style village. Each animal species will have
several small houses built specifically to suit their needs. This
method of housing animals greatly differs from traditional
caged-based shelters by providing a cage-free, comfortable
environment that is suitable for long-term care.
“The sanctuary is just one part of our comprehensive
plan to end the unnecessary euthanasia of pets in Connecticut,” says
Linker. “We recognize that no one organization can
solve all the problems facing pets in our state. That’s
why Our Companions is committed to working with other animal
welfare agencies, not only to assist in the rescue effort,
but to lead a collaborative statewide campaign to target the
root causes of pet homelessness.”
Our Companions is a non-profit organization that is a leader
in the movement to end euthanasia of healthy pets. For
more information or to make a donation, visit www.ourcompanions.org
or call (860) 242-9999.
Photos of Groundbreaking |
