The Animal Control Shelter STARS

Time to focus on something “constructive”: the status of the proposed Animal Control Shelter for Stratford. While this issue might not be as “sexy” as the sale of Long Beach West or the renovations of the Shakespeare Theatre, it really is a matter or life and death!

The Town must find a new location for the shelter due to asbestos, yet can’t renovate the existing building because they’d have no place else to house these animals in the many months it would take to complete construction. In May, Mayor Miron unveiled an Access Road destination for a new state-of-the-art facility that would replace the current building. This would relieve some of the embarrassment associated with maintaining a town-run facility that has been cited several times for code violations.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not much of an animal fan. If it’s not garnished or simmering in a light sauce, I tend to steer clear. Still, even though I don’t particularly like dogs or cats, I am painfully aware of the need for an effective animal control presence in town. Rabid animals, abandoned snakes, or even the occasional coyote sighting are reason enough to ensure we have adequately trained staff and holding facilities to protect ourselves. Beyond that, it’s an unfortunate fact that in hard times such as these, pets suffer first. We at the Observer believe that a community is judged on its ability to care for those in need, and at present Stratford is sorely lacking.

Here are some pictures of the current animal control shelter on 9 Frog Pond Lane. While the street name might be wildly appropriate, the accommodations are clearly not: rusted fences around crumbling concrete walls, the animals cramped in cages with little in the way of comfort or companionship. (Honestly, I did not mean to use that many words starting with “C” in the previous sentence.) In short, the building is the last word in gulag-couture. The officers have taken pride in the building, the overflowing flowerbeds in front a brave attempt to break up the depression of their surroundings.

The shelter is remarkable for what is not there: no feces, no trash, no smells, and no noise. Each dog has a separate window to an outside enclosure to get some air and feel the wind on his fur. It sits to the back of the Public Works compound on one side and the Frog Pond bar on the other, a great arrangement had the asbestos in the walls not forced the move to a new location.

I have spoken with our animal control officers on several occasions over the years and I’ve always been impressed with their dedication to their job. How else could you put up with these dingy quarters, as they must be as affected by these surroundings as the animals they take care of? Unfortunately, the Access Road location was tabled after complaints from the neighbors about the proposed site. In June, the Mayor announced his desire for a four to six-week “study circles” process involving as many as 100 citizens, broken up into small groups, to make recommendations on the shelter location.

The Town of Stratford is currently in the process of planning a Community Summit for residents to discuss possible locations for the new Animal Control facility and to make sure all voices are heard. The results will be presented to the Mayor and Town Council. A meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2008, at Stratford High School between 8:00 am-12:30 pm. Participants must pre-register by 9/3/2008. Register by calling 385-4001.

Before attending any forum, it’s important to get the facts. And here they are, kindly emailed to me (while she was on vacation, no less—that’s dedication!) by Officer Rachel Solveira. The new Animal Control facility will be a self-contained building. Three times the size of the current facility, the dogs will not have freewill access to go outdoors. Their kennels will be completely inside the new building, which will be built with state-of-the-art soundproofing. Dogs will only be outdoors when they are being monitored by staff and volunteers. The barking will be minimal as a dog is socialized or is exercising. Only two dogs will be outdoors at any given time. Concerned citizens may visit other local Animal Control facilities with a similar design and they will notice that barking cannot be heard from inside the building (for example, in Fairfield and Bridgeport).

In addition, there will be no smell. The animals will be contained in the building and their runs are disinfected on a daily basis. Waste will be flushed away in the sanitation system. Waste from dogs outdoors will be picked up and disposed of immediately by their handlers. The new facility will have a filtered ventilation system. The current facility is an indoor/outdoor kennel and yet you cannot smell anything in the surrounding vicinity.

A brand-new facility and added police presence would seem a welcome addition to most any neighborhood.

So if the Stratford Observer wants to offer more than complaining, what do we do about it? Well, like most things in Stratford, I suggest you check it out. Take a look for yourself; you can even sign in and take a look at the pets available for adoption inside! You can access their web site here: http://www.stratfordac.org/

More importantly, you can help by becoming a volunteer for the terrific organization that helps these poor animals. I’ll let the blurb on their web site (http://geocities.com/starsrescue/) do the talking:

“The Stratford Animal Rescue Society (S.T.A.R.S.) is a Not-For-Profit Volunteer Organization, founded in September 2000, with the unanimous support of the Stratford Town Council to promote the cause of animal welfare for animals housed in the Stratford Town Animal Shelter.

Our primary purpose is to facilitate and expedite adoptions of shelter dogs and cats into loving homes; In addition, we raise funds through private donations and public fundraisers to provide food and medical care for the Shelter's animals.
… All of our efforts are from volunteers. All of our funds come from private donations and private fundraising events. Some of our events include an annual Dog Walk which takes place at Paradise Green in Stratford, Mother’s Day plant sales at the shelter, tag sales at various locations, and holiday wreath sales at the shelter.”

Upcoming events include a monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at the Stratford Police Department (second floor) at 6:30 p.m. There will be a new volunteer orientation on Saturday, September 6, 2008, at 10:00. Please e-mail if you plan on attending. The location will be the Stratford Animal Shelter on 9 Frog Pond Lane, Stratford, CT 06614. On July 12, 2008, there will be an Adoption Event (also at the Stratford Animal Shelter on 9 Frog Pond Lane) from 11:00 - 3:00 (setup prior to 11:00). On October 11, 2008, they will hold their annual “Dog Walk” from 10-4 (watch for details).

You can contact STARS at: (203) 338-7387
P.O. Box 1371 Stratford, CT 06614
stfdanimalrescue@yahoo.com

If you are interested in a donation to the Stratford Animal Rescue Society, you can give online at: http://www.firstgiving.com/stratfordanimalrescuesociety

Or, you can try a neat option and shop online through iGive at:
http://www.igive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=35819&m=299220

At over 680 brand name stores (including Best Buy, Staples, Home Depot and the Gap, among others), a portion of each online purchase is donated to STARS. What a great way to help a local cause!

In short, it’s this Observer’s opinion that we can all help with this situation. Get the word out about the facts of this facility, and step up and volunteer (if you can) or contribute (if you can’t) to help this valuable town resource. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to pat Officer Solveira on the back if you see her around town—she even works on vacation!