Ansonia Police use search warrant to take 39 dogs, 2 ferrets from residence

ANSONIA - Ansonia Police began an investigation Thursday after receiving a complaint of possible animal cruelty and unsanitary living conditions at a residence on Schumacher Drive, Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a written release Friday morning.

A search warrant was obtained to enter the home and inside the investigating officers found 39 dogs, 2 ferrets, 2 adult females, and 3 juveniles, ages 15, 5, and 2 living in the house. 

Officers found garbage, animal feces, and urine throughout the house. 

The living conditions in the residence were deemed to be unsanitary and unsafe; the house was condemned by the Ansonia building inspector. 

Initial examination of the dogs has shown the dogs to be healthy. All the dogs will be checked by a veterinarian to ensure they are healthy and have not been neglected. 

Police said the Department of Children and Families assisted in the investigation and the juveniles were brought to a local hospital for evaluation due to the condition of the home. 

The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.

Chief Williams would like to the thank Woodbridge Animal Control and the Town of Oxford for their assistance in the case.

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Rabies Clinic slated today at Shelton Farmer's Market

 

Annual rabies clinic slated Saturday at Shelton Farmers' Market

Seymour C.A.R.E.S. seeks volunteer shelter manager

If this is an emergency where an animal is sick/hurt, you MUST contact your town Animal Control.

If they're closed, call your police station.

At the very least, transport the animal to the emergency vet.

Email seymourcares@yahoo.com if you have adoption questions, need to surrender a pet or help with strays/ferals, or have a lost pet. Provide details.

Adoption information is at www.seymourcares.org including online application. Scroll through the last month of FB pictures for available pets. Thanks.

This is shared from the organization's Facebook page.

Klarides-Ditria warns pet owners to be aware of hot asphalt dangers

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria says with hot temperatures here for the summer it’s important to be prepared, and that includes making sure your cats and dogs are safe, too. 

Don't let cats or dogs outside without supervision or without checking the asphalt first.

The American Red Cross has the following tips on keeping pets safe, but essentially treat your pets the same as you treat yourself:

• Never leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open.
• Limit exercise on hot days. Exercise in the early morning or evening hours.
• Walk your pet in the grass if possible, to avoid hot surfaces burning their paws.
• If your pet is outside, make sure they have access to shade and plenty of cool water.
• Water safety is important for your furry friends. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—they aren’t all good swimmers
• Watch your pets at a backyard barbecue. Keep them away from the grill and know that some food can be poisonous to them. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with artificial sweeteners.
• Heat stroke is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems.
• Open windows or doors are a temptation for pets to try to get outside. Keep all doors and unscreened windows closed, and make sure screens are tightly secured. 

Some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. 

Visit the Animal Poison Control Center to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.

Sincerely,

Friends of the Shelton Animal Shelter to hold annual rabies clinic

 

Beacon Falls Public Library to host program on dogs of Chernobyl

Stephen Quandt, Feline Behaviorist, returns with his program about the descendants of the pet dogs left behind after the Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986.

This is shared from the Beacon Falls Public Library Facebook page.

Residents at Wesley Village in Shelton share holiday love with rescue pups

Christine Parent, left, and Mary Petersell meet rescue pup.

SHELTON - Finding a place to call “home” for the holidays can be a waiting game for rescued pups in line for adoption at Companion Pet Rescue (CPR) in Southbury, so to help make the holidays a little brighter for these furry friends, residents at Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community decided to reach out by sharing puppy toys this Christmas.  

“We found a great idea for a do-it-yourself doggie toy that residents could make by hand and our Crosby Commons Cares Committee got busy,” said Lisa Bisson, Director of Community Outreach at the senior living campus.  

Bisson helped coordinate the project with Activities Director, Lauren Donovan.

“It was only a plastic water bottle filled with dog food, but we decorated it with holiday socks,” said Donovan. “It was an easy project with a little seasonal touch. We hope the dogs will love it!”

The Crosby Commons Cares Committee was formed earlier this year by a dedicated group of residents who gather regularly to work on community service projects and other meaningful initiatives. 

Residents support area community organizations and other important causes that matter to them. Last month they provided “Hearts of Hope” to the Griffin Hospital Center for Cancer Care for patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer and September’s project was a “Welcome Back” treat bag for local staff at Long Hill Elementary School. 

In addition to assisting with the project, Donovan knew residents would enjoy delivering the toys to the pups. 

"The residents light up when a family pet visits the community so I knew they would love a trip to CPR to deliver the toys and cuddle the pups," said Donavan. “I don't know who enjoyed it more - the puppies or the residents. The staff at CPR kindly brought the dogs out to our vehicle and the pups made themselves right at home on our residents’ laps. There were smiles all around - and plenty of cuddles and kisses.”

Crosby Commons resident Phyllis Buckley was happy to be part of the project from start to finish. “It was one of the best experiences I’ve had in quite a while. We’ve always had dogs in our family; they’re my favorite. The chance to sit and cuddle with the pups was just wonderful.”

Buckley’s friend and Crosby neighbor, Elsie Valeski, who also helped with the project, agreed. “They put one of the dogs in Phyllis’s arms and it was so calm and relaxed with her; it just snuggled right in.”

In addition to working with residents at Crosby Commons, Donovan also volunteers her time with CPR helping with adoption events and fostering pups waiting for their forever home.  

Both Donovan and Bisson have adopted pups from CPR.

“I hope we were able to share a little holiday love with these puppies who are waiting to meet their new families,” said Bisson. “They bring so much joy to so many people; we definitely did not want them to feel forgotten.”

 Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203.225.5024. 

To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

About Companion Pet Rescue: CPR’s mission is rescuing and rehoming abandoned and neglected dogs. In addition to rescuing and rehoming dogs, we promote our own spay/neuter outreach program that allows us to assist families that need this service but can’t afford it. We focus our efforts on friendly, social, loving companion pets. 

We rarely assist in placing dogs with special needs or aggression - we simply are not equipped to rescue these dogs, as our dogs are heavily socialized with others (a doggy daycare environment), or in foster homes, almost all of which have children and other pets. 

While we always have more dogs in need than foster homes to help, we focus on the positive and what we can accomplish, this helps us save thousands of dogs in need! 

Please help us spread the word about our rescue and our spay/neuter initiative. 

For more information visit https://cprdogs.com/about/ .

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Oxford Public Library to host virtual program on dog training

 

Oxford Public Library to host virtual program on understanding canines

 

Rabies clinic scheduled at Woodbridge Animal Control

 

Kids urged to write a letter to animals at Ansonia Animal Shelter

*This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Kennel club to hold annual K-9 Karnival Saturday at Shelton Riverwalk

Friends of Shelton Animal Shelter to hold rabies clinic at Farmer's Market

Ansonia Animal Shelter asks blanket donations for dogs

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Animal Shelter, 2 N. Division St., needs donations of blankets for the dogs; no sheets please.

Blankets may be dropped off at the Police Department, 2 Elm St., at any time, or at the Ansonia Animal Shelter before 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

Seymour Police K9 officers get protective vests

K9 Rex

K9 Zoar

SEYMOUR - Seymour Police Department K9s Rex and Zoar have each received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. 
K9 Rex’s vest was sponsored by Richard Kearns of RKFMX in Prospect and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by RKFMX Guided by Angels." 

K9 Zoar’s vest was sponsored by Robert Kezelevich of the Seymour Senior Citizens and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Seymour Senior Citizens.”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity in East Taunton, Mass. whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. 

The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. 

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 3,100 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of more than $5.7 million.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. 

New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744-$2,283, a five-year warranty, and an average weight of four to five pounds. 

There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, Mass. 02718.

This is shared from the Seymour Police Department Facebook page.

Trap Falls Kennel Club to host annual K9 Karnival in Shelton

Ansonia Animal Shelter needs donations of dog food, more

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Animal Shelter is in need of canned Pedigree dog food, dish soap, and bones to keep the dogs occupied. 

Please consider donating!

Drop off locations: 

Ansonia Animal Shelter, North Division Street, before 2:30 p.m. weekdays, or any time at the Ansonia Police Department, 2 Elm St. 

If you would like to schedule a drop off please call the shelter directly at 203-410-7716.

*Shared from the shelter's Facebook page. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on helping fearful dogs

Griffin Hospital’s Pet Therapy Program will host an educational talk June 30 with Certified Professional Dog Trainer Debbie Jacobs./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Pet Therapy Program will host a talk on how to help fearful dogs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 30 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer Debbie Jacobs, CPDT-KA, CAP2, author of “A Guide To Living With & Training A Fearful Dog” and “Does My Dog Need Prozac?,” creator of Fearfuldogs.com, and administrator of the Fearful Dogs Facebook group will discuss the most effective and humane ways to work with fearful, shy, anxious, reactive, and aggressive dogs. 

The talk will provide valuable information for pet owners, trainers, shelter and veterinarian office staff, and foster care providers on how to improve dog-handling skills. 

Topics will include: Why dogs are afraid; What fear/stress looks like; How to interact with feral or un-socialized dogs; How to work with fear based behaviors; The uses of food and play in the rehabilitation of fearful dogs; Understanding the effects of reinforcement and punishment on fearful dogs; Defining learned helplessness; The myth of reinforcing fear; Equipment and medication; and Useful techniques and protocols for handling and training fearful dogs.

Attendees are asked to leave their dogs at home. 3.5 CEUs are available for CPDTs.
Cost is $75 per person. 

Register at fearfuldogs.com/helping-fearful-dogs-derby-ct/.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Recuperation journey: Ah, spring

“In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”

- Alfred Tennyson

 

That famous quote came to mind earlier today when I was taking a walk and someone ahead of me was walking his male dog.

When they got to a friend of mine's house the man took off the leash. 

His canine made a beeline to the backyard where a female dog I'm acquainted with was standing behind a fence, seemingly waiting for him.

I'm guessing it's love. It's springtime, after all.