Marilyn is looking for a fresh start this Spring...

Could you be the one to give it to her?

 

 

As Springtime arrives, it evokes the hope for a new beginning in many of us. The feeling of warm sunshine after a cold winter, the sounds of birds chirping, and the sight of a new green landscape where there was once barren earth inspires us to hope for transformation in our own lives. Marilyn is hoping for a fresh start of her own in a new forever home this spring... Could you be the one to give it to her?

Marilyn arrived at Our Companions Sanctuary more than a year ago. In her early days with us, she was terrified of people, and rightfully so. Having been mistreated and confined to a cage for a long stretch of time, Marilyn understandably had reservations trusting humans and sometimes behaved aggressively when she felt threatened. Even though she had been given a safe place at the Sanctuary, Marilyn continued to feel frightened that people might hurt her as they had in the past.

Now that she has been given time to heal and love from numerous volunteers, Marilyn's beautiful personality is shining brightly! Often she is so excited to have visitors that she runs to the door of her room to greet them. Marilyn makes herself at home in the laps of people she trusts, and may settle in for a nap or roll around to show you how cute she is. As you listen to her loud purr, you cannot help but feel the love radiating from her.

As much as Marilyn's life has improved over the past year, she is desperate to have her very own person to love. As you look into her gorgeous green eyes, you can see that Marilyn is a sweet and special soul who wants to give all the love in her heart to a person she can call her own.

Please consider helping Marilyn complete her healing journey by giving her a fresh start in life. She so deserves it and will give you all the love you could imagine! Marilyn needs an understanding individual or family who will allow her to develop a trusting relationship at her own pace. She would prefer a quiet home in which she is the only pet, or could be adopted into a home with another independent cat who would not interact with her much. If you think you might like to adopt Marilyn, please contact Stephanie at 860-242-9999 or email Stephanie@ourcompanions.org.

 

Click here to see Marilyn's video!

http://youtu.be/J_RjrP-SOjE

~Thank you Julie S. for sharing Marilyn's story~



Ally is an amazing adoptable cat who is at the Ashford Sanctuary right now!  She is friendly, easy to handle, purrs and makes biscuits too.  Her favorite toys are da-bird (flying feather on a string) and fuzzy mice that she can carry around the house.  She loves to sit on papers on my desk while I work.  Ally was abandoned at the dog pound, but no one knows why.  She has no behavioral or physical problems at all.  Her coat is an incredible mosaic of white with black patches, super soft and clean.  She always uses her litter box, loves to eat, is spayed and up to date on all her vaccines, deworming and flea treatments.  Ally wants to be the one and only pet in the household.  She wants to beat up the other cats at the sanctuary so she is having a hard time here trying to live with 20 other felines.  If you want a true friend and companion and don't have other pets right now, come meet Ally, you will fall in love!   She is one year old.  Would be great in a family with children as she loves to play and is okay with being lifted and carried about. 

TJ and His True Love Rosie Find Their Forever Home

On February 12th, just in time to celebrate Valentine's Day, TJ and Rosie were adopted together into a loving home. An exceptionally warm and kind woman named Kristin saw an advertisement for TJ and Rosie and knew immediately that they were the cats for her. Their sweet love story captured her heart, and she knew even before meeting them that she could love them forever. Kristin is a true cat rescuer who had previously welcomed 12 stray cats into her home over the past 20 years. How lucky TJ and Rosie are to have found such a loving person with whom to spend the rest of their lives!

After months of soft food and TLC, TJ thrived during his time at Our Companions Sanctuary. He seemed to think of himself as the Sanctuary mascot, and greeted everyone who came through the door with hugs and kisses. He enjoyed sitting on laps, playing catch with his toys, and most of all cuddling up next to sweet and gentle Rosie.

Now TJ and Rosie are already thriving together in their new home. They are eagerly exploring their new surroundings, enjoying playtime, snuggling together, and cuddling and purring away with their new person. Kristin says, "I just love them to pieces!" She calls them the "new loves of [her] life" and is  "so very happy to be their  new person and give them a forever home!!!"

During TJ's painful and frightening early days, perhaps he fought so hard to survive because somewhere deep inside he knew that this truly amazing life and loving family were just waiting for him. Congratulations TJ and Rosie! Your friends at Our Companions send all our love and wish you nothing but the best in your new life!

Spending a Snowy Saturday Afternoon at the Sanctuary

What better way to spend a snowy afternoon than snuggled up with our wonderful sanctuary cats?

Bella is a lively senior who is an extreme lap cat who would love to be watching the Olympics with you right now!

Lucy, The Snow Queen

Have you have been wondering what the dogs at the Sanctuary do when Ashford gets a foot of snow? The truth is that most of them were too small to walk in it or just plain didn't like it and stayed inside.  Lucy on the other hand, is now our official SNOW QUEEN!

Join me at Connecticut Voices for Animals Day- Friday, Feb. 21st!

Please join me and my friends at the ASPCA and fellow Constitution State animal lovers on Friday, February 21, in Hartford for Connecticut Voices for Animals Day!

Voices for Animals Day is an opportunity to talk with state lawmakers, in-person, about issues impacting animals in Connecticut. Our conversations will focus on one issue critically impacting Connecticut's companion animals: the inhumane treatment of dogs and cats in breeding facilities that supply animals to Connecticut's pet shops.

Voices for Animals Day is critical to our lobbying efforts in Connecticut, is a great networking activity, and is invigorating, inspiring and very personally rewarding. RSVP today and invite your friends to do the same. Every voice matters!

Connecticut Voices for Animals Day 2014

Date:	Friday, February 21, 2014
Time:	11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Place:	Connecticut State Capitol Legislative Office Building 300 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106
Cost:	There is no charge to attend, but please register below so we can set up meetings with your state legislators.

*Please note that registration will close February 16.

Please RSVP in one easy step below. Click Here: http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/advocacy-center/aspca-advocacy-events/connecticut-voices-animals-day-2014

Protect Chained Dogs- Please learn about CT's Dog Chaining Law and speak for the animals

In Connecticut it is now illegal for dogs to be chained outside in inclement weather.

If you see a chained dog outside during a weather advisory or warning, contact the animal control officer for the town in which the dog resides and demand action!

Here are the facts: Effective July 1, 2013, Connecticut prohibits dog chaining under each of these circumstances:

• Weather advisory or warning is issued by local, state or federal authorities such as severe thunderstorm watch, tornado warning, heat advisory, wind chill advisory, winter storm warning, etc.

• Severe weather such as heat, cold, rain, snow or hail that poses a risk to the health or safety of a dog based on breed, age or physical condition

• The tethered dog does not have swivels on both ends of the tether to prevent twisting and tangling, unless a person is in the presence of the dog

• The tether allows a dog to reach an object or hazard like a windowsill, edge of a pool, fence, public road or highway, or porch railing that poses a risk of injury, unless a person is in the presence of the dog

• The tether does not allow the dog to walk at least eight feet in any one direction

• The dog is tethered using a coat hanger, choke collar, prong type collar, head alter or any other collar, halter or device that is not specifically designed for a dog

If you have questions about the chaining laws or to report a potential violation, contact your local animal control officer (through your police department).

Click Here to Read the Law

Thank you for taking action for those dogs who are unable to protect themselves.