Our Companions


Our Companions Animal Rescue is a Connecticut based organization that promises to always do the right thing for animals, regardless of the challenge or cost.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

A lazy Sunday morning after the snowstorm....

 Victoria
 Bella
Petey
Photos courtesy of our wonderful sanctuary cat volunteers who brave all types of weather to be with the ones they love! 

Friday, December 28, 2012

A Day In The Life......

Victoria, or Vicky as we like to call her, is always very helpful when it comes to any activity taking place at the Our Companions Ashford Sanctuary.  She is pictured here assiting with a recent adoption event.  She is an excellent public relations volunteer and always greets every visitor with a purr!

Never one to want to miss out on a thing, sometimes Vicky pushes herself to stay awake!  We need to convince her it's okay to take a break.  She relents, but only if she can drink from my glass.
or the faucet!
 
 
 
 



Saturday, December 22, 2012

COZY CATS

 
COZY CATS..... On a cold winter day such as today, it is nice to see two cats snuggling together.  Missy Meow and Jamie are a mother/son pair who were adopted from the Sanctuary last month.  Here they are, relaxing together in their new home! 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Nothing makes us happier
than to have a potential adopter walk into the rescue cottage and say "I want to rescue a cat".   Cindi and Ed have met their match with Olive!    Olive suffered greatly in her past life and the resulting anger and inappropriate behavior gave us cause for concern when she first moved into the Sanctuary.   We despaired that she would ever be chosen for that all important forever home every cat desires.  With love and patience in their hearts as well as hope that Olive could lead a happy life from this day forward, these true rescue people, moved forward with plans to welcome Olive into their home.  Their unconditional love at first sight for a cat that many considered "unadoptable" moved us to tears when Olive went home with them last night.   Thank you Cindi and Ed, for making Olive's dreams come true!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

First Adoption Day at the Sanctuary!





The unexpected snow didn't keep people away!  Thanks to those who joined us for our first ever Adoption Day at the Ashford Sanctuary.   The cats and dogs enjoyed the many visitors (and all of the love and attention they received).  By the end, everyone was ready for a nap.

If you couldn't make it to the event, check back....we'll be sharing photos soon.  You can also visit us during our open "Meet and Greet" hours: Saturdays 12:00-2:00.   Our staff and volunteers will be happy to introduce you to the cats and dogs awaiting adoption.  (For more information on adopting a pet from the sanctuary and our application process, contact our Helpline at 860-242-9999 x 302 or Helpline@ourcompanions.org).

UPDATE:  Roxy (pictured here) was recently adopted by a wonderful couple who met her at the adoption day.  She is settling in nicely and so happy to be in her new home. 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Sanctuary Adoption Event- This Saturday!


Our Home for the Holidays Adoption Event is This Saturday!!  We hope you will spread the word and join us!

Meet Tinka who is available for adoption at the event! Watch her video from this AM's feature on Fox 61:
http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=91060&sitesection=wtic_mrn_590&VID=23903080

WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2012, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

ADDRESS: The Ashford Rescue Cottage, 46 Floeting Road, Ashford, CT.

Just in time for the holidays, Our Companions will be hosting our first pet adoption day at our new Ashford Sanctuary! OC staff and volunteers will be on site to introduce you to our Canine and Feline sanctuary guests.

If you are considering adopting a new friend, stop by and say hello! Applications will be collected, but pets will not be adopted on the day of the event. For more information on event or on adopting a pet, visit our website: http://www.ourcompanions.org/pages/sanctuary_news.htm

You can help promote this event by distributing this poster (PDF). Thanks!




Thursday, November 8, 2012

Introducing Nathan!

Looking for a sweetie to keep you warm at night? I've got the perfect guy for you. Meet Nathan!
 
 
Nathan is about six months old and is fine with cats and dogs, but would also be content as an only pet. He likes cuddle time, play time and also lots of naps. For more information contact Stephanie at 860-242-9999 x. 303 orStephanie@ourcompanions.org
 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Yes, that's right......three new cats have moved into the Sanctuary in Ashford.  This family is made up of two brothers and one sister and they all were in need of some vet care upon their arrival.  Thankfully, Our Companions is partnering with North Vet Clinic right here in Ashford and we were able to get them in right away.  After some much needed dental work, Bella, Spunky and Pepe are feeling so much better and have settled into the daily routine at the Rescue Cottage.  They are available for adoption.  Great with other cats and very bonded to people; they would make a nice addition to your family too!  You may have seen them featured in our recent newspaper articles in The Hartford Courant and The Willimantic Chronical.  The attention hasn't gone to their heads and they remain loving and so very sweet!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The day we have been waiting for has arrived!  Our first "guest" is moving into the Rescue Cottage at the Sanctuary.  Willow is a handsome all black cat who was rescued by a kind person who noticed this friendly and very gentle cat trying to eat from a feral cat feed site.  His matted fur and rotting teeth made it impossible for his to gain enough sustenance to stay warm and he suffered from severed flea and worm infestations.  Willow was given the veterinarian care he needed to become healthy, and now he's warm, safe, surrounded by peace and love.  Willow would love for you to come spend some time with him.  Laps have become his favorite place to be!
 
JOYFUL anticipation
 
 
 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Cat Housing floor of our Rescue Cottage has been completed and now it's move in time!  Our donors have been generous with supplying us with much needed items off our Amazon Wish List and we thank them for that!  Filling an empty house not only with everything needed to care for 25 cats and 5 dogs, but also furniture for people, office equipment, cleaning, outdoor items and everything needed to furnish two full kitchens has been a challenge.   Naturally, our focus has been on the animal supplies and furniture first.....they will be moving in next week and we just can't wait! 
Our Dog Housing floor of the Rescue Cottage is equipped with several unique features to make the lives of the dogs and the people that care for them happy and healthy.  A dog washing station, gates on the doorways instead of doors to prevent stress of isolation, double entry doors to prevent accidental runaways, and a full kitchen to facilitate training our wonderful rescue dogs how to behave like a good citizen while their adoptive family prepares and eats dinner!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Recent work at the Rescue Cottage includes:

Kitchen:
Cabinets
Plumbing
Laundry
Utilities:
Transformer, Air Conditioner, Hot Water, and Propane all installed and on-line.

Dog Yard:

 

 
 




Sunday, September 2, 2012

Down to the wire....last few weeks of construction!
What does it look like inside right now?

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Landscape Plan for the back slope includes a biodegradable straw mat, untreated rough cut pine stakes for erosoin control and a thoughtful grouping of native shrubs, plants and grasses that will self seed, spread and cover the ground completely. 


Progress throughout the day was slow but steady.  This entire project is being completed entirely by volunteers from both Our Companions and the Master Gardeners.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Activites last week:

Poured Epoxy Floor

Well completed
 
The Plumber also worked on installing the hot water heater, sinks & toilets.

Cabinets were delivered and install begins!

Wetland Replication Area seeded and already sprouted.


Fence install a work in progress:

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Drive by the Sanctuary during the week of August 20, 2012.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Friday, August 17, 2012 - Landscape Plantings begin



A huge THANK YOU to the crew who made the landscaping happen this weekend at the Ashford Sanctuary. The heavy rain held off and the crew was cheerful, hard working, and skilled. As we sat down for a well-earned lunch break, the realization came over me that this was the first of many successful gatherings that will happen here. To be able to share this special time with all of you means so much. I love to think to a time in the future when we're out chatting in the parking lot after another successful animal rescue in the shade of that oak tree, we'll be able to say "remember planting day?"  


Our Companions owes our success in all things to our volunteers.....they are very impressive!!!!

    

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Cistern Gets a Big Drink!


We thought the installation of the cistern was exciting, but the arrival of the Ashford Fire Department to fill it up was an event to remember!    Designed and approved with the help of the Ashford Fire Chief, the firefighters were happy to assist with filling our underground water tank.  The meter now reads "full" and we are ready for any emergency that may arise. 

Monday, August 13, 2012

FRP - What is it and Why do you want it in your Sanctuary?

Fiberglass Reinforced Panel.  An alternative to wall paint, this miracle material is ideal for our needs.  During their stay at the Rescue Cottage, we want our animals to feel as though they are living in a home while they heal from their physical and emotional traumas.  A big part of that feeling of peace and relaxation is not being forced to live in a cage.  Having animals loose is so much better for their well-being, but it brings forth a variety of management challenges for the people caring for them.  Cats spray urine on walls, dogs scratch and chew at times; these are normal behaviors for rescued animals.  Naturally, our goal will be to teach our new friends more productive ways of expressing themselves.  In the meantime, we need to make sure we can clean up after them and provide an environment that is user friendly for these wonderful animals.  FRP is impervious to liquids, resists scratches and bite marks, and of vital importance to prevent disease transmission, it is 100 percent disinfectable.    




August 6, 2012 - Work Continues at a Rapid Pace - Accomplishments Include:

- Cistern Caps Installed

- Front Porch Cat Proof Screen Installation Begins


- First step of landscaping is Top Soil. 


- Parking Lot Lamp Posts Installed.
- Parking Lot Final Grade & Gravel



Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Monday, July 30, 2012

Work this week included:
- primer, ceiling paint and wall paint
- interior doors installed
- subflooring installed


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Wetland Replication Process.  During our initial surveys of the sanctuary land, an abandoned drainage ditch that was used for flushing waste out of the factory chicken farm was found to have small amounts of wetland plants growing within.  Located in the center of our proposed "dog village", this would severely curtail our ability to build new construction.  Additionally, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the abandoned structures were both an eyesore and contained contaiminated waste that was potentially leaking into the acres of beautiful marsh and wetlands located adjacent.  Thankfully, the engineers and town officials approved a plan to relocate the wetland.  That process began this week with an excavation and creation of a basin.  The basin is level with the existing wetland and is going to be loamed and seeded with native wetland plants.  The ditch will be filled in and the new wetlands will be not only double the size, but will support a greater diversity of wetland plants and encourage wetland creatures to call it their new home.  We are pleased that we can commit to not only helping our companion animals in their struggles, but also help wildlife animals and plants continue to grow and thrive at the Our Companions Ashford Sanctuary!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Drywall Completed July 10, 2012.  View the results before the walls are painted!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The question on many peoples' lips has been "What color is the Rescue Cottage going to be?  If you've been following this blog closely you already know the answer!  R E D !!

The cottage looks so warm and inviting, just like we all imagined.  Don't you just love it?!?

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Outside on our construction site, the large and complicated Storm Water Runoff infrastructure continues to be a top priority for Mark Weeks, Owner and Operator of Weeks Construction.  Thanks, Mark, for all your hard work, dedication and amazing abilities!

Smaller diameter white piping is buried in trenches laterally across the parking lot.


This piping joins with larger diamater black pipes.

The photo belows shows the black pipes already buried in gravel.



 This view of the parking lot shows the water retention basin in the background.
Opposite view below.  The foreground shows the water retention basin.  The parking lot's distance from the photographer gives you some idea of the scope of this project!

Thank you for checking in.  I hope you are as thrilled and excited by what you've seen here today as I am.  Before you know it, you'll be touring here in person!  It will be my great priviledge to welcome you and introduce you to our first residents.  Dogs and cats who have previously suffered abuse and neglect, will come here to heal and find new lives and love.  They will be the pioneers in animal welfare; examples for all of us on how to really make a difference for these beautiful creatures we love so much.