NORTH HAVEN, CT -- The Animal Haven, one of the oldest, private, no kill shelters for homeless dogs and cats in Connecticut, today celebrated its grand reopening and broke ground for the construction of a new cat wing. The shelter closed in September of last year to begin an overhaul of the facility, including a new HVAC system and renovation of the interior of the shelter. The Animal Haven has been transformed into an updated facility providing a healthier environment for the animals under the shelter’s care. Groundbreaking soon will also begin for the expanded quarters, which will provide much needed additional space for the shelter’s cats and kittens.
“These renovations mark a huge improvement in the shelter’s facilities, assuring a healthier and less stressful environment for the shelter’s animals while they wait to be adopted,” says Linda Marino, President of The Animal Haven. “We now have additional space for more efficient operations and an entirely new state of the art HVAC system that will reduce significantly the spread of virus and disease among the shelter’s animal population. Healthier animals means we can adopt our animals out sooner, which means we will be able to take in more animals and thereby save more lives.
These renovations were made possible by the generous contributions of our donors throughout the years, as well as by a grant from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven from the Lillian and Henry A. Konopacke Fund.
Throughout the renovations, many of the shelter’s animals were housed in mobile units, and the shelter’s staff worked tirelessly in the cold, rain and snow to take care of them. All of us here at The Animal Haven – animals and humans alike – are very excited about being back in the shelter and about the many improvements that have been made to the facility.”
As part of the reopening, The Animal Haven unveiled a new identity to replace the old one that had not been updated in many years. The identity was created gratis by Group C Inc., a local graphic design firm located in New Haven.
"After seeking feedback from our supporters, the Animal Haven Board adopted a new logo showing a heart and a cat and a dog under a roofline," says Linda Marino, President of The Animal Haven. "That's at the core of what we do. We provide temporary shelter, food, water, veterinarian services and lots of love to each animal that comes to us until he or she is re-homed."
Noted local interior designer Donna Moss oversaw the interior design of the renovated space on a pro bono basis, creating a warm and inviting environment for the animals, the staff and the public. Accent walls of bold color compliment the calming and soothing light tones that she chose for the majority of the shelter’s space. The tiled floors are not only impervious and easy to clean, but add richness and warmth to every room.
Michael Freda, First Selectman of the Town of North Haven was on hand to cut the ribbon to the new facility and welcome supporters to the impressive, state of the art facility.
“We are fortunate to be a home to The Animal Haven, which has provided expert care and protection to abandoned animals in the Greater New Haven area for 70 years,” said First Selectman Freda. “Throughout the years, The Animal Haven has offered exemplary service to the Greater New Haven area and beyond. The renovations that The Animal Haven has just completed, along with the planned expansion to add much needed room for the shelter’s cats and kittens, will enable The Animal Haven to best serve its mission for years to come and continue to be the preeminent no-kill shelter in this area."
Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. The Animal Haven provides safe refuge to approximately 400 animals each year and also adopts out approximately 400 animals each year.
“In the not too distant future, we also hope to renovate the dog kennel area of the shelter,” noted Marino. “These renovations will encompass the dogs’ living quarters and improvements that will provide greater enrichment and socialization areas for the dogs. The shelter is hoping to launch a capital campaign this year to raise funds for all of these renovations.”
The shelter is currently looking for signature sponsors of these effort; inquiries should be directed to Linda Marino. “When all the capital improvements are complete, The Animal Haven will be viewed as a model shelter for others to follow.”
Tours of the new facility will be conducted on the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. To sign up, email ilovepets@theanimalhavenct.org.
The Animal Haven has been dedicated to taking in adoptable homeless cats and dogs and finding them well-matched loving homes since 1948. The Animal Haven is a private, nonprofit, and charitable organization exempt from federal and state taxation under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and related Connecticut laws.
Photo: Denise Canning, Grants Manager of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, assists First Selectman of the Town of Northford, Michael Freda, as he cuts the ribbon for the grand re-opening of the newly remodeled Animal Haven.
###
Contact: 203-239-2641
Website: www.theanimalhavenct.org