The Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter

"Shelter dogs aren't broken, they've simply experienced more life than other dogs. If they were human, we would call them wise. They would be the ones with tales to tell and stories to write, the ones dealt a bad hand who responded with courage. Don't pit

Our volunteers work directly with the shelter staff, the New Haven Humane Commission, and the Department of Police Service to provide the animals at the shelter and the people of New Haven with the best, most compassionate service possible.

As part of our efforts, we do the following:

• Organize and sponsor twice monthly adoption events in communities throughout the Greater New Haven area. We work directly with North Shore Animal League’s state-of-the-art mobile adoption unit and have established partnerships with a wide range of caring businesses that host these events.

• Pay for unusual medical care that the animals would not ordinarily receive, including x-rays and tests for diseases like heart worm and feline leukemia.

• Sponsor and subsidize Feline Spay Days in New Haven, featuring low-cost spay/neuter surgery for cats of city residents.

• Participate with TEAM, a mobile spay/neuter facility for cats.

• Sponsor a foster care program for animals who need special attention.

• Offer personal assistance in choosing a companion animal to people who want to adopt from the shelter.

• Work with other rescue groups to place animals in good homes.

• Appear weekly on WTNH-TV News 8’s popular “Pet of the week” segment.

• Maintain two Web sites, one at www.findafriendforlife.org and the other on Petfinder.com, which generates many quality adoptions. (Visit us at www.petfinder.org/shelters/CT74.html

• Co -sponsor the annual National Pit Bull Awareness Day with Bikers Against Animal Cruelty and Hot Water Rescue. This event combines important public information with fun activities for pit bulls and their people to celebrate responsible pit bull ownership. For more info see www.ctnpbad.com.

• Publish Among Friends, a twice -yearly newsletter.

• Educate owners about pet care.

• Sponsor fund-raising events, including our gala annual MAKIN’ WOOFIE, held every February for almost a decade. This event includes a brunch combined with both silent and open auctions. MAKIN’ WOOFIE provides us with our basic annual income, making it possible for us to carry on our wide assortment of services.

• Organize and sponsor New Haven’s only festival for the dogs, MUTT STRUT, which combines fund-raising with just plain fun, helping Connecticut’s canine community to connect and enjoy.

Our volunteers work in many areas. Some deal directly with the animals-grooming, walking , and playing with the animals to keep them socialized. Others prefer to work on our fund-raising and public awareness programs. For more info on how you can volunteer go to WANT TO VOLUNTEER ON OUR WEBSITE.

David J. Henon
The Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter
email: info@findafriendforlife.org

If you are interested in meeting any of our adoptable animals, please come meet them Monday-Saturday between 12:30-4:30. No appointment necessary. They are looking forward to meeting you!