Get Ready for the 2026 Paws, Claws, & Smalls Resource Fair for Pets!
On March 21st we are hosting our second annual Paws, Claws, & Smalls Resource Fair for Pets at our Valerie Friedman Program Center in Manchester, Connecticut. Like last year, the fun affair will have educational presentations, community resources and programs, feathered and furry animal friends, DIY pet enrichment toy stations, book giveaways, and delicious free vegan cupcakes! We will also be accepting unopened cat and dog food and supplies for pet pantries and managed community cat colonies.
This year, we are adding even more furry and feathered animal friends to join us along with free stickers and face painting!
This FREE event is for families and pet parents that are interested in learning about the pet resources available to them, as well as those passionate about the animal rescue world and would like to get involved in the community.
We ask that attendees refrain from bringing their own pets to this event, but we will have dogs, opossum, owl, and some small pet companions joining the party for you to meet!
Community Organizations
- Read Dogs
- CT Votes for Animals
- House Rabbit Connection
- Happy Cat Hotel
- CT Dog Gone Recovery
- Manchester Animal Control
- Horizon Wings
- Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue
- Our Companions Animal Rescue
- HVCC Pet Pantry
- Pet Loss Support
Throughout the event, we will have four presentations on different aspects of animal welfare and education.
Presentations
Lost Pets and Getting Them Home with CT Dog Gone Recovery Volunteer Network lead volunteer, Kyle Dolce, and Manchester, CT Animal Control Officer, Ofc. Elease McConnell.
- Meet dog, Apollo and his pet guardian, James Dolce – real life search and rescue volunteers with CT Dog Gone Recovery!
Advocating for Animal Welfare: 2026 Priority Update & Legislative Capacity Building with Joshua Levin, MSW, Legislative & Advocacy Manager for CT Votes for Animals.
- Learn about current animal cruelty and care legislation and how you can be a part of speaking up for animals.
Backyard Wildlife – All About Opossums with wildlife rehabilitators and co-founders of Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue, Pamela & Bill Lefferts.
- Meet some of their rescued opossums while you learn all about them!
Planning For Your Pets: Life Happens! with Our Companions Helpline and Adoption Counselors, Janice Wehner and Caitlin Moses.
- Learn ways you can plan for your pet today! Free handouts and tools to help you plan for your pet’s future.
We are actively posting new activities, furry friends, and community organizations on our social media for the event! Be sure to follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourcompanions/ and Instagram @ourcompanions for updates!
Stay tuned and follow for more updates! Paws, Claws, & Smalls Resource Fair for Pets 2026
This event will be held at our Valerie Friedman Program Center, located at 34 Sanrico Drive, in Manchester, CT on Saturday, March 21st from 1-4PM. We are also accepting any unopened, unexpired cat food donations.
For more information, please contact the Our Companions at 860-242-9999 or email [email protected].