Construction -Phase 2 has begun!!!

Construction has begun... Again!

 

 

During our ribbon cutting event last fall, we announced our intention to build two more rescue cottages by the end of 2013, representing “Phase-2” of our multi-year capital campaign for the Ashford sanctuary. 

We are happy to announce that on Wednesday, May 29^th earth started moving and sanctuary construction has officially begun!

On behalf of everyone at Our Companions we want to thank the generous donors who allowed us to meet our fundraising goal. This $650,000 phase will allow us to build two more canine cottages and greatly expand our ability to change save lives at the sanctuary.

 We will keep you updated with news from the sanctuary.

 

Check out the video here!

 

 

 

 

 

Marvelous Memorial Day Weekend at the Sanctuary

There was time for relaxing:

 

Time for cuddling:

 

 

 

Time for fun:

 

Thank you to all the volunteers who spent time with the cats during the long weekend.  We appreciate your dedication to the sanctuary animals today and every day! 





Time is Running Out!

Please Speak for Chained Dogs in Connecticut

There are only 7 days left in this year's legislative session!　

Last week, anti-tethering legislation was passed in the House that would PROHIBIT tethering during official weather advisories and other adverse weather conditions.　

This will ensure that dogs who live their lives on the end of a chain MUST be unchained during severe weather: Tornado watches, Severe thunderstorm warnings, wind chill advisories, heat advisories, etc.　

It is a MONUMENTAL step toward breaking the chain for good!

We have worked so hard to come this far. Please help make sure this bill passes the Senate in the next 7 days!!!

 

Please ask your State Senator to support HB 5844, which would unchain dogs during severe conditions. Go to this page to find your State Senator:　

http://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp　and make the phone call Tuesday or Wednesday of this week!

When you call, you will speak with an aide. Please simply ask that your Senator support HB 5844. Be sure to provide your address so they know you are a constituent, and thank them for the their time. That's it!

Thank you for your help on behalf of CT's chained dogs!

Hand-knit kitty beds

Every beautiful cat and kitten that comes into the sanctuary leaves into an adoptive home with the gift of his or her very own "blankie".    Not only is this a "thank you" to the adopter for giving one of our sanctuary cats a loving, forever home, but it serves a very important purpose on the cat's behalf as well.  The blankie has the familiar scent of the kitties and sanctuary on it and helps the newly adopted kitty during his ride home in his carrier and also during his transition into his new life.  It also helps us say goodbye, knowing that a little piece of our hearts is going along with our beloved sanctuary cats. 

Imagine our joy, when Joan V. stopped by the sanctuary during our Saturday afternoon "open to the public" hours with a big bag full of amazing cat mats.   We let Hailey inspect them and she approved, before falling into a deep sleep on her favorite bed in the sanctuary kitchen.  Thank you Joan, for being such a kind and compassionate friend to the animals!

 

TJ's first week here at the Sanctuary 

Has been filled with hurdles for him to overcome.  First was the pain and it was substantial.  We needed to add additional pain medications to keep him comfortable and resting.  He was able to eat and sleep and gain the strength he needed to feel better.  What a trooper! 

TJ has been meeting the other sanctuary guests through the safety screen of his bunkbed.  He appears curious and friendly toward other cats.  Good News!     He is happy and comfortable in his space and enjoys stretching out on his heated pad at the top of his bunk.  Rest and heal little friend!

A Different Kind of Adoption

Our Companions is often known for having lots of cats and dogs available for adoption, but did you know we help with other types of pets as well? 

Albus and Nimbus were  a pair of doves in our re-homing progam, they had previously been "therapy" birds, but their owner could no longer keep them.  Helpline volunteer, Marlene Wilhelm, was able to find the perfect home for them.  Can you guess?

Albus and Nimbus were adopted by a couple, who plans to take them into nursing homes so they can continue their work as therapy birds.  If you have ever heard a dove coo, you know how soothing they can be.  Good luck A & N!

Arrival day for TJ at the Our Companions Ashford Sanctuary:

OC Volunteer transported TJ from his cage at the emergency hospital Saturday morning



TJ is eager to make friends despite his recent ordeal

 





Challenges?  Yes, we knew we'd face them during our first year at the Sanctuary. 

What we didn't expect was to meet a kitten with an amazing will to live and ability to fight back when all odds were against him. 

This is TJ's story.  Please join us as it unfolds over the next few months.  It starts sad, but turns happy thanks to people like you!

TJ's story begins before he even had a name.  It was a dark night when two construction workers driving home from work spotted a small, still form beside the road.    Something told them to stop.  They scooped up a severely injured kitten and rushed him to the nearest emergency veterinarian hospital.  The clinic stabilized him only to discover his jaw was broken in several places and he would not survive without emergency surgery.  No one knows for sure, but they guess he was hit by a car.  With no funding available to help this kitten; he was minutes away from being euthanized.   As luck would have it, one of the people involved had recently heard of Our Companions, and we were made aware of the dire situation.  Arrangements were made to immediately give the kitten the life-saving surgery he needed to ease his suffering and start him on the road to recovery.   After several days at the hospital, TJ was ready for discharge.

TJ is now at the Rescue Cottage!  He is a beautiful tuxedo kitten, about 8 months old.  He has his jaw wired together and is in for a long recovery.  He is resting comfortably in a specially outfitted bunkbed that will keep him safe and give him the space to rest and heal.   Pain medication and soft foods are in his immediate future and well as loads of TLC from staff and volunteers.  We'll be updating TJ's road to recovery on a regular basis.  Check back soon for progress reports and photos (coming soon!)

Be Part of Historic Legislation Against Puppy Mills!

This week, you have a rare window of opportunity to hold your elected state legislators accountable to animals, and stop the sale of puppy mill dogs in Connecticut.　

 

 

In a cooperative effort between CT Votes for Animals, the ASPCA and HSUSA, Rep. Brenda Kupchick has been working very hard this session to make this dream come true. And she can succeed IF enough caring Connecticut residents contact their State House Representatives between now and this Tuesday!

 

HB 5027 as amended by Rep. Kupchick, would prohibit CT pet shops from selling commercially bred dogs and cats and instead require that only dogs and cats who are humanely-sourced from animal control facilities and non-profit rescue organizations be sold or adopted out in pet shops.　

 

This measure would help put an end to the suffering of dogs in puppy mills and would reduce pet overpopulation in shelters and the resulting high euthanasia rates.　

What you need to do:

1) Look up your Representative and their contact information here:　

http://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp　

 

2) Calls are best (you will always speak with an aide), but emails are fine, too. You only need to　ask them to　"support Rep.　Kupchick’s amendment to H.B. 5027 to require the sale or adoption of humanely-sourced dogs and cats in pet shops."  Be sure to provide your address so they know you are a constituent. Be sure to thank them!

3) Please spread the word about this important, landmark legislation that would help end one of the worst forms of cruelty to animals in our country.

 

Thank you for being the voice of puppy mill dogs!