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!

 

Amazing slideshow - check it out!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcbEvZMqVNg&feature=youtu.be

 

courtesy of: Carol Lowbeer www.caroleenaphotography.com.

 

 

Welcome to the Sanctuary!

Day One

 

Violet moved into the sanctuary after being found by a super in an empty apartment when he went in to paint after the previous tenants moved out and left her behind.  Our new guests' accommodations are a two-story "bunkbed" where they settle in and meet their new friends in a safe and secure manner. 

Day Two



Being the friendly, outgoing girl that she is, Violet quickly made friends and was out of her bunkbed and enjoying the freedom of our rescue cottage. 

Day Three

"Wow, windows are so much fun!  I see a bird at the feeder!"

"Now I'm going to explore that amazing play-land jungle-gym"



 Violet is so happy to be here at the sanctuary and we are thrilled to welcome her!  She is a one year old gorgeous tabby with white and fur like velvet.  She gets along great with other animals and all people.  Loves to play and is super outgoing.  Violet is being offered for adoption at this time, and we welcome you to come meet her in person and fall in love!  

 

Sylvester's One Year Anniversary...

Friends,
One of our favorite things is hearing how our beloved pets are doing in their adoptive homes!  Part of our adoption service includes formal follow-ups for the first year (and of course we are available to assist throughout the pets lifetime).   Sylvester has just hit his one year anniversary in his new home and we were elated to read about how he is doing:

 
Wanted to let you know that after the one year anniversary of our having adopted Sylvester, we're all very happy.  He loves sleeping on our laps and we love him so very much.  Thank you for all you do for needy creatures.

Humane Lobby Day is coming up!

I hope you will join me on Wednesday, April 24th at Humane Lobby Day that the CT Capitol.

This annual event is a great way to not only help CT's pro-animal legislation but to gain knowledge and experience in a comfortable environment to help you learn how

easy and effectively you can speak for the animals.

Our Companions in cooperation with CT Votes for Animals, the ASPCA and The Humane Society of the United States are working a number of bills including:

Legislating and Animal Advocates for Animal during Abuse Trials

Anti-Dog Tethering Legislation

Ban of Sale of Pets in Pet Shops

Ban of Gestation Crates

Spay/Neuter funding for low income citizens

But many of these issues face strong opposition from groups who gain financially from exploiting animals so your voice is desperately needed to allow humane groups to be successful.

Click Here to sign up to attend Humane Lobby Day. I look foward to seeing you at the Capitol!