2008 HOLIDAYNEWSLETTER
89 Mill Road North Haven, CT06473 203.239.2641
Website:
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday * 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday *12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
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To our very valued members:
Our 60th year comes to a close and we would like to sincerely thank the community for literally keeping our doors open for orphaned pets to enter into a safe haven. It is a remarkable and extraordinary accomplishment to have secured financial support for 60 years and is only made possible by the generosity of people who truly care about animals in need. THANK YOU for helping thousands of adoptable homeless cats and dogs find refuge at The Animal Haven for the past 6 decades.
Cheers to another successful 60 years!
Sincere thanks to our dedicated staff for kindly caring for our needy furry friends 365 days a year:
Shelter Manager Judy Gunn, and assistants Jason Gray, Erin O’Connor, and Samantha Rowe.
The Board of Directors works hard to make the shelter the best it can be but we could not do this without the ongoing support of all of you and our hundreds of volunteers. Together we have had a major impact in helping homeless pets in Greater New Haven. You are most sincerely wished a happy and healthy holiday season!
The Board of Directors: President Liz Gallagher, Vice President Chris Gagne, Treasurer John Delaney, Assistant Treasurer Bobbie Parenteau, Membership Secretary Elaine Keith, Recording Secretary Sheri Carbone, Financial Officer Jeff O’Donnell, Property Manager Roland Parenteau, Arleen Jiskra, Jane Yant, Charlotte Timberman, Joan Martinez and Jen Pendleton.
Now is a good time to thank former Director Doris Torre who had to resign due to other obligations. Doris has been a valued and dedicated volunteer for many years and was truly committed to Animal Haven.
Doris will still stay on as a volunteer!
Holiday Raffle
tickets are enclosed.
Thanks to the following who donated prizes:
Marriott Courtyard of Wallingford, Panera Bread,
and the microwave was donated by an anonymous donor.
WISH LIST
Canned pet food (especially cat food), Natural Balance dry dog food for a special dog named Yeager, bleach, Clorox Clean-Up, laundry detergent with bleach alternative, paper towels, and Windex or any spray glass cleaner.
In these very tough economic times, Animal Haven is requesting your help if it is within your means.
- Ask your company if they have a matching donation program – an easy way to double your donation!
- Think of us when planning your will or consider setting up a Legacy Fund for Animal Haven at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
- Many companies have volunteer grants. If you can help out at the shelter in some way, we could receive much needed funds.
Our 501 © number is 06-0735382.
- Make a donation designated to The Emergency Medical Fund so we can enter in more homeless pets. This kitten season was EXTREMELY costly because numerous kittens were very sick and required expensive hospital stays.
Our “Sponsor A Pet Program” helps defray the cost of caring for dogs and cats who take longer to find the right homes. Can you help support our special needs pets with a monthly donation? You will receive a photo and more information about the animal. Shy kitties like Marla and Darla have been with us a long time because they need someone willing to give the time and effort necessary to build a trusting relationship with them.
Donations should be marked “Sponsor A Pet” and for more information, call Bobbie at 203.239.4189.
The Animal Haven is a temporary home for homeless, adoptable pets but sometimes for various reasons, pets stay longer than expected. All these pets want the same thing – the basics of love, kindness and respect. In return you will get pure and unselfish love. PLEASE consider opening your hearts and homes to one of these very special, loving animals.
- Nakia – a misunderstood dog who desperately needs a trusting owner
- Precious – the kitty who needed a liver operation and is now healthy and is awaiting a home of her own
- Tobie – our gentle giant who just wants to lie next to you and help keep your feet warm
- Bubba – just a mellow honey of a dog
Haunted House Fundraiser
By the time you read this, the Haunted House will have already taken place. Hopefully you knew about it in advance and were able to attend. Truly a frightening experience! MANY THANKS to our good friends Angela & Mark Foy and Rosemary & Fran Bisaillon who are the masterminds of this truly fun and very professionally-done haunted house. Net proceeds will be donated to Animal Haven.
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T H A N K Y O U T O:
Businesses who sponsored WADAT: Around the Clock Heating & Cooling, Bark Busters, Best Friends Pet Care, Bones Dog Training, Captain Kitt’s, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, DRM Construction Solutions, Johnstone Company, Kristina Nigro Pet Sitting, Larkin’s Run Boarding Kennels, Law Offices of Altschuler & Altschuler, Les’ Dairy Bar, Lucky Dog Grooming, Middlesex Dance Center, Mya Lynn Forde Fund, Polylok Co., Shoreline Antique Auto Connection, and The Only Game in Town. A donation was also made “In Loving Memory of Jeanette Marshall.”
WADAT vendors: Pawty Time Treats & Gifts,
Cassidy’s Pampered Paws, and
Ann Curcio/Natural Balance pet food.
Diane Mierz who did WADAT artwork.
Elaine Keith for her admininstrative duties for WADAT.
Auction donors at WADAT: Robbin Seipold, Janet Barrett & Elaine Keith.
Diana Sellers for coordinating another successful Yankee Candle fundraiser.
Joann DiGioia, realtor, at Coldwell Banker in North Haven who made a donation in the name of William & Carol Geleneau from the sale of their home.
Ann Westphal for taking pet photos for our website.
Ridgehill Animal Hospital, Snowflake Pet Center, and Cosmic Cat for their extraordinary veterinary care of our pets all through the year.
Local newspapers who advertise our events and pets up for adoption: The Advisor, North Haven Citizen,
and North Haven Courier.
Ann & Ryan Westphal for fostering a pregnant mom, Dot, & her 5 kittens, and her TLC to these kittens in need.
Ann & Ryan Westphal and Ed Hunnicutt for applying for volunteer grants at their company for their many volunteer efforts to support Animal Haven.
Tag Sale Supporters: table-renters, volunteers & donors, particularly Carla Boucher, Melissa Tommaselli, Sharon & Stan Rogalski, Carolyn Konopka, Sally Knapp, and Andrew & Michelle Cicarella.
Special thanks to Joann at Coldwell Banker in North Haven who graciously allowed us to use her parking lot for the tag sale.
These generous people who donated an insulated doggie door to help keep our doggies warm and toasty this winter: Mildred Gehrke, Matthew & Joan Bushey,
Lorre Neville, Elizabeth Neville, Patricia Caldwell, John Ferraro, William & Britt Callahan, Cheryth Townsend,
and Kelly Marshall.
Supporters who brought donations of food, bedding, litter, etc. to the shelter:
Robert D’Errico, Alison DeMaio, Marie Ann Barnhart, Darlene Molenaar, Beth DelGrego, Karen Hogan, Jim & Stacy Williams, Kathy Linbeck, Rebecca Frey, Elizabeth Martinez, Michellina Viscusi, Kathy Sharp, Maryann Hall, Pat Cauley, Jan Cullen, Roberta Ottenbreit, Workforce Alliance, Debbie Rosa, Mike Kuczewski, Marilyn Mather, and Kinue Parizo.
Some very important and useful information from the ASPCA…..
TOP 10 HUMAN MEDICATIONS THAT POISON OUR PETS
- NSAIDS
- ANTIDEPRESSANTS
- ACETAMINOPHEN
- METHYLPHENIDATE (for ADHD)
- FLUOROURACIL
- ISONIAZID
- PSEUDOEPHEDRINE
- ANTI-DIABETICS
- VITAMIN D DERIVATIVES
- BACLOFEN
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VEHICLE FOR SALE
A supporter of ours has a vehicle for sale and has offered to donate 10% of the sale price to Animal Haven!
It is a 1999 Jeep Wrangler hard top.
She is asking $5,000.00. For more details, please call Joan at 203-281-4401.
The Animal Rescue Site is hosting a special challenge for eligible Petfinder.com member shelter and rescue groups. The grand prize is a $25,000 grant, and they will be awarding many other grants to rescue groups with the most votes — a total of $100,000.00 in grants for animal welfare organizations.
Vote for The Animal Haven at and we could win $25,000.00 to help pets in need. Think how many animals we could help for $25,000.00!
Help us win! All you have to do is click to help rescued animals, and then vote in The Animal Rescue Site $100,000.00 Shelter+ Challenge. Both of these actions are absolutely free! You can vote once a day, every day, from September 29 through December 14, 2008.
Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you could be making a huge difference for us.
Doggie Door Fundraiser
With the escalating costs of heat and utilities, we are trying to make our shelter more energy efficient. In doing so we have identified that the dog flaps are an enormous source of lost energy. We have found an insulated dog door and we’d like to raise funds to purchase 14 energy efficient doggie doors. Animal Haven is kindly requesting for people to buy a door for $260 each and we would put up a plaque with your name on it. Please help our dogs stay warm this winter and buy a doggie door today.
This is an excellent holiday gift!
Pet Adoption Awareness Day at
PETCO, Universal Drive, North Haven
Second Saturday of the month: 11/8 (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
Last Sunday of the month: 12/28 (1:00 to 3:00 p.m.)
Pet Adoption Awareness Day at PETCO 848 Colony Road (Route 5) Wallingford
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Third Saturday of the month: 11/15 and 12/20
Pet Adoption Awareness Day at Choice Pet Supply 53 Washington Ave. North Haven
Third Saturday of the month: 11/15 and 12/20 (10:00 a.m. to noon)
Pet Adoption Awareness Day at Petsmart, Universal Drive, North Haven
10:00 a.m. to noon
Second Saturday of each month beginning 12/14
Clean-Up Days at Animal Haven – help make our shelter sparkling clean!
The 4th Saturday of every month beginning in 2009 Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Bon Ton Community Day Sale November 15 Bon Ton, Dixwell Ave., Hamden
Buy a coupon book from Animal Haven for $5.00. Special sales that day, too.
Cookbooks for sale
(reprints of the ones last year) $6.00 each
Animal Haven’s Holiday Fair
November 29, 2008 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
North Haven Congregational Church, 28 Church St., North Haven (across from Town Greene)
Handmade, new, or craft items needed to sell. Also needed – gift baskets or small items to create gift baskets, and homemade cookies for cookie sale (cookies will be sold in dozens – call for details to donate).
Kid’s entertainment needed for fair –
do you know someone who could be Santa Claus,
a clown, or do face-painting?
Contact Chris 484-9648 or
The First Annual “Holiday of Hope” Gift Fair December 7, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Hamden Elks Club, 175 School St., Hamden. Do your holiday shopping under one roof with many different vendors! So far we have: Avon, Pampered Chef, Silpada (jewelry), Longaberger Baskets, Tastefully Simple (gourmet and specialty food products), Mary Kay, Designed 4 Paws (handmade items for pets and pet lovers), Dragon Artz (handmade jewelry) and Tutti Dolce (candy and candy gift baskets).
Raffles, refreshments. Admission just $5.00 per person.
Gift Wrapping Fundraiser:
Shop at these stores when an Animal Haven volunteer will be staffing the gift-wrapping table.
Gift wrapping is free but donations are accepted. If you would like to volunteer to gift wrap,
call Elaine at 488-0350 for available dates.
Barnes & Noble, North Haven:
12/12 and 12/15 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
12/13 and 12/23 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, Milford: 12/21 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. 12/23 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
12/24 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Borders, Milford: 12/14 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
12/16 and 12/17 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Pet Photos with Santa – December 13
at PETCO in North Haven
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - $5.00 donation per photo
Holiday Open House – December 20
12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Stop by to see all our beautiful pets up for adoption and to have some refreshments.
Wine Tasting & Silent Auction at Aunt Chilada’s Save the Date! March 11, 2009
Dear Members:The end of the year and major holidays are upon us – Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s. It’s the classic and traditional time for all of us to reflect back on the year and try to forget the difficult times and remember the good ones and what we have to be grateful for. Taking in, housing and caring for record numbers of homeless kittens and cats this year has been a great challenge for us, not just financially but emotionally and psychologically.
But what stands out in our minds are all the ways our members and the community have come through and supported us during this time………… from monetary and food donations to giving of your time and your hearts, you have once again proven to us that great good remains in this world that sometimes seems so broken. Seeing this, it gives me hope for the future.
May your future be all that you wish and hope it can be!
STAY WARM, STAY SAFE.
Editor: Chris Gagne, , 484-9648
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MEMORIAL DONATIONS
IN LOVING MEMORY OF FROM
Candy & Panda 1 & 2Anthony Cottiero
Alma BarnickMr. & Mrs. Barney T. Miller
Jeanette MarshallPatricia Beauregard
Jeanette MarshallJonathan Freiman
John Lang – beloved husband ofMarthaMartha Lang
Barbara LuedeeMary Ann & William DeMatteo
Barbara LuedeeAnna Didomenico
Barbara LuedeeGail Testa
Ben – beloved dog of Tamar Sherer & Chris CooperShelia Hoffman Troppe
Ernest HolsteinMaria Giovannini
StashJudy & Phil Cronan
Jane SigourneyMarie Matthew
BootiesChris & Margaret Durlack
Sally, Jackie & TitterJoseph & Doris Bevan
Bea – beloved Cairn Terrier of Jack LarsonThe Mierz Family
Our sweet Bear, deeply loved and missed,
gone WAY too soonChris Gagne & Photis Nicolaou, BJ & Katie
Bear – beloved friend & companion -
much loved by Chris & PhotisLiz Gallagher & The Animal Haven Board of Directors
Bear – much loved & missed by Chris& PhotisArleen & Joe Jiskra
Bear – beloved dog of Chris & PhotisLindell & Bill Northup
Bear – went to the RainbowBridge far too soonRoland & Bobbie Parenteau
Bear – beloved dog of Chris Gagne, the hard- working
editor of theAnimal Haven NewsletterSteve Mierz & family
Smokey & Boston Blacki,
“Our Little Boys”- much loved & missedArleen & Joe Jiskra
Smokey & Boston Blackie JiskraRoland & Bobbie Parenteau
Sylvia MazerolleJim & Mary Ann Travers
Louise CalderwoodRuth Girolomo
Lou, black Standard Poodle,
beloved pet & best friend of Rod RossRuth Girolomo
CorkeyBarbara Whitehouse & Robert Amatruda
Jeremy Bixon’s Shadow from Animal HavenBeatrice Bixon
Donations in memory of Eleanor DeMaio received from: Leonard & Lorraine Velardi, Magna-Wind, Inc.,
Rosa Thomas, Margaret Webster, and GreenAcresSchool
Donations in memory of Estelle Rumanoff received from: Dennis Kennard, Betty Summer, Dorothy & David Lipton, Carol & Howard Gutkin, Nancy, Jeff, Steven & heather Millett, Diane Olin, Middlesex YMCA, The Palumbo Family, Harvey Bixon, Ken, Lorraine, Chris & Stacey Velardi, Doris Ferner, Al Warren, Jonathan Goldberg DMD,
Janet & Richard Selzer, and Ed & Barbara Kowal
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You will notice some donations in memory of my beloved dog, Bear. We lost our Bear tragically in September while we were away on vacation. Bear was playing ball with my Mother-in-law and his brother BJ in the backyard when he suddenly stopped, lied down, and died. He was a healthy 4-year old dog! We came home several days early from vacation and took him to the vet for an autopsy which revealed an embolism on his lung that burst. To lose a young pet suddenly like this is just incomprehensible and a terrible shock to us. It was just horrible and we are still grieving. Poor BJ must now grow up without his brother and best buddy. What I want to say is that I have received SO many sympathy cards for Bear, not just from friends here but from a group of people I have never even met in real life – friends I have met online. One card came from Canada – another from Scotland. An online pal from Iowa sent me a copy of the book “Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul.” A co-worker gave me a beautiful photo book called “Goodbye My Friend.” And many, many people sent cards and messages of support and compassion via email. The tremendous outpouring of sympathetic gestures from fellow animal lovers was overwhelming to me. I was incredibly touched and amazed to know so many caring and compassionate people who just want to offer support to someone dealing with the loss of a beloved pet. I am also eternally grateful to my neighbor who helped my Mother-in-law deal with Bear’s body until we could get home. He is a good person and true animal-lover. A horrible time for my husband and I was made a little bit easier by the actions and kind words of many people who care. I have always said that animal lovers are the BEST people in the world. It has been proven to me once again. No, they are NOT “just” cats and dogs. They are family and friends. And there are TONS of people in the world, like YOU, who understand that.
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