eTails: January 2008
Dear Friends,
We're only a few weeks into the New
Year and the cold winter is upon us, but our shelter is buzzing with
activity. Our open house hours are full
of people who want to meet our adoptable animals. Volunteers continue to work with the animals: getting some of our shy cats used
to human contact and teaching the
dogs basic obedience skills. We're
getting ready for our first Puppy Love Ball, a dinner dance and silent auction,
on February 16th - more on that below, you don't want to miss this
gala event! And soon our web site
will have a fresh new look and fun new features.
Let me also take this opportunity
to share with you what we collectively accomplished in 2007. Thanks to our volunteers
and the support of our community, Danbury Animal Welfare Society:
- Found loving, forever homes for over 530 cats, kittens, dogs
and puppies
- Helped control cat overpopulation in the Greater Danbury Area
by spaying/neutering over 230 feral cats & kittens
- Raised over $50,000 at our annual Walk for Animals (to be held
this year on 9/28)
- Welcomed 58 new volunteers who now donate their time to helping
animals in need.
Looking at those accomplishments
and seeing the activity underway, I'm excited at the possibilities for
2008. I know you'll be inspired and
excited at the stories and events in this issue of eTails. So, wrap the blanket around you, give your
animal companion a rub on the belly, and read on...
Peace,
Guy Bocchino
President, Danbury
Animal Welfare Society, Volunteer
After four years at DAWS, Abbott finds a forever home
In early 2003, three tiny kittens were found at a cat colony
in Newtown and brought to our
shelter as part of our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. While two of the
kittens flourished and were quickly adopted, the third kitten - who we named Abbott
- never really grew to trust humans. He was very playful with other cats
but scurried away when approached by people.
He quickly grew into an adult cat with beautiful long, black
fur and a majestic plumed tail and, as the years went by, Abbott was
consistently noticed by prospective adopters. But once Abbott made it
clear that he did not like to be picked up or pet and people realized how much
work it would take to gain his trust, they would move on to another more human
friendly cat. Our volunteers knew it would take the right kind of family
to see his inner beauty and take on this challenge. That family - the
Kennans - finally came along in the Fall of 2007.
When Wes Kennan walked into the room and extended his hand
to Abbott, Abbott came to him and they bonded almost immediately. The
Kennan's understood Abbott's trust issues and were ready for the challenge.
With an orange tabby already at home, we knew Abbott would have a feline
companion to pal around with while learning to trust his new human family.
In a recent update, the Kennans reported, "Today,
Abbott actually ate in front of me and took some treats and was not retreating
to his crate, as he typically does. He slept on the bed and then under the desk
at my feet. It's slow going but we consider today a breakthrough!"
Only a cat who truly trusts you will expose his belly to
you. One look at Abbott's photo and you can see he's making a lot of
progress with the Kennans. After four years at our shelter, we're
thrilled that Abbott is finally in his forever home.
2008 Events calendar
Puppy Love Ball - February 16
Candlewood Inn, Brookfield
A gala event that's not to be missed. Dinner, Live Band & Dancing, Open Bar, and
a Silent Auction. The proceeds from this
event are going into a special fund for a new shelter. Help get us started toward a new shelter by
attending this event. Purchase tickets
by February 1 - information is at http://daws.org/events.htm.
Tag Sale - April 4 & 5, Stony Hill Volunteer Fire
Company, Bethel
We are famous for this event - treasures big and small
abound. This year we're moving the event
to the Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Company on Route 6 in Bethel - it'll be bigger
and better than ever!
Upscale Bake Sale
- May 10, Lexington Gardens,
Newtown
Our upscale bake sale on the Saturday before Mother's Day
means you won't show up to celebrate Mom empty-handed. Delectable pies, cakes and other baked goods
will be dressed in their finest pink & white - we offer a selection not
available in any single bakery!!
Hound Hike - June 1, Tarrywile
Park, Danbury
Tarrywile is a gem in the heart of Danbury. Bring your canine pals (leashed,
please) and join us for a hike around the lake,
games in
the pond, and a few hours of fresh air and sunshine.
Walk for Animals - September 28 at the Bethel
Municipal Center,
Bethel
Over 200 people and 90 dogs helped us raise over $50,000 at
this event in 2007. Can we top it? Only if you join us in raising money and
participating in the 1.5 mile walk through the village
of Bethel. This is our largest event of the year with
prizes for top fundraisers and games and contests for you and your canine
companions.
Community Heroes - Swearing to raise money
Letters come in quite frequently from people who donate to
help animals in need. Some people hold
drives to collect items from our wish list and others have....well, um, unique ways of
collecting money. This is one example
that left quite an impression...
I am 10 years old and live in Brookfield. At my house, we have a "swear
jar". Everytime someone in my
family uses a word that they are not supposed to use that person must put money
in the jar. My parents have decided that
my brother and I each have to pick the charity of our choice and we each have
to donate the money. Because I love
animals so much I would like to donate half of the money to the Danbury Animal
Welfare society.
To this family - and to all our Community Heroes - thank you
for helping to make a difference...one animal at a time.
