When it comes to getting a new pet, the saying adopt and don’t shop has been around for a while.
There is a real meaning behind those words which can actually save a life or two.
When you adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue, you are giving a once-loved pet a second chance, In addition, you are also freeing up another spot for an at-risk pet in need.
Most animals found in shelters or rescues have come from situations of abuse, homelessness, or abandonment. In some cases, they are loved pets whose owners simply could no longer care for them due to finances or personal health reasons.
Adopting is a great way to give these furry critters a new chance at being a best friend. We have collected a helpful list of the top 10 dog rescue and shelters in Connecticut that just might be housing your next furry best friend.
Top 10 Dog Rescues and Shelters in CT
Feed me sausages and tell me you love me.
Halfway Home Rescue
Address: P.O. Box 712 North Haven,CT, 06473 203-985-8338
Tel: 203-985-8338
Email: halfwayhomeonline@yahoo.com
Established: 2004
Location Type: Shelter & Rescue
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees: From $225 - $600.
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. These services are included with the adoption fee. No one within the organisation takes a salary and since 2004 they've been saving more than 5000 lives.
Services Offered: This location offers shelter, homeless, abandoned, and rescue animals for adoption.
Adoption Requirements: You can fill out an application online or in person. You will need personal or vet references, information on current pets, which must be spayed or neutered, and a meet in greet.
The Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter
Address: 81 Fournier Street New Haven, CT 06511
Tel: 203-946-8110
Email: fotnhas.info@gmail.com
Location Type: Shelter
Designation: Government, non-profit
Fees: $90
At the second largest municipal animal shelter in the State of Connecticut all animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. These services are included with the adoption fee.
Services Offered: This municipal non-profit shelter offers animals for adoption. Yearly they take over 900 dogs and cats and handle approx. 1000 investigations of animal related calls and concerns.
Adoption Requirements: To adopt you must be at least 18 and have a valid ID. You can attend an adoption event or come into the shelter to view available animals. A meet and greet with all pets and family members is mandatory. Click here for pets available for adoption.
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains un-awakened. ~ Anatole France
Danbury Animal Welfare Society in Bethel, CT
Address: 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel, CT 06801
Email: daws@daws.org
Tel: 203-744-3297
Established: 1974
Location Type: Shelter & Rescue
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees: $200-$450
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. These services are included with the adoption fee.
Services Offered: This location offers neglected and rescue dogs for adoption. They also offer low-cost spay and neutering services. They accept owner surrenders. The shelter serves CT, MA, NY, NJ, VT and ME.
Adoption Requirements: You can make an appointment to view available animals or select one online. Complete an application and then speak with an adoption counselor. They'll check all vet references, landlords and personal references and once approved you can take home your new friend. A dog intro with their trainer is available if there is a dog already in the home. Shelter will follow-up with a call 2 weeks after adoption to make sure the adoption process is going smoothly. View their adoptable dogs here.
Save All Dogs in Manchester, CT
Address: 120 D Hale Rd, Manchester, CT 06042
Tel: 860-648-0469
Email: savealldogsrescue@gmail.com
Established: 2017
Location Type: Rescue
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees: $300 – $600
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. These services are included with the adoption fee.
Services Offered: This location offers a safe haven to homeless and rescues animals for adoption from kill shelters and the streets -travelling as far as South VA and TN to save abandon cats and dogs. They also offer puppies.
Adoption Requirements: Working on a first come, first saved basis. Print and complete the application. Schedule an appointment and bring an ID and the application. You need to provide vet or personal references in addition to landlord approval if you don't own your home. Upon signing the adoption contract and paying the fee you'll be able to bring your new pet home.
Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, CT
Address: 144 Main Street Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118
Tel: 860-569-0722
Email: poaplacement@gmail.com
Established:1975
Location Type: Rescue
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees: Adoption donation: Adults $325, Puppies $275, Bonded Pairs $500
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, and spay/neutered. These services are included with the adoption fee.
Services Offered: This no-kill rescue and shelter serves the entire state of Connecticut and offers stray, abused, and abandoned dogs and cats for adoption to forever homes.
Adoption Requirements: Select a pet online and then fill out the application. Turn it in and wait for an appointment to meet with an experienced Placement Team members who will show you the dog you are interested in, or will guide you towards or dogs that are appropriate for your home environment. Click here to view their adoptable dogs.
Wallingford Animal Shelter
Address: 5 Pent Road, Wallingford, CT 06492
Tel: 203-294-2180
Email: info@wallingfordanimalcontrol.com
Location Type: Shelter
Designation: Government
Fees: $50 for unaltered animals. Fees vary for altered animals.
Services Offered: This location offers animals for adoption and accepts owner surrenders.
Adoption Requirements: You can make an appointment to visit available animals prior to filling out an application. You should bring the whole family and current pets to meet potential adoptees. You must be at least 18 years old to adopt. A home visit is mandatory for all dog adoptions. Applications require two personal references, and a veterinary reference.
PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society) in Norwalk, CT
Address: 504 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851
Tel: 203-750-9572
Email: cats@pawsct.org
Established: 1962
Location Type: Shelter & Rescue
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees: Adults $250, Puppies $450. Senior Humans adoption Senior Dogs is free or by donation.
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. These services are included with the adoption fee.
Services Offered: This location offers abandoned, neglected shelter and rescue dogs for adoption. They also accept owner surrenders. Serves Fairfield county CT - Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Wilton, Westport, Fairfield, Weston, and Bridgeport.
Adoption Requirements: You must be at least 21 years old to adopt. Select a pet online and then fill out the online application. An in-person meet and greet will be scheduled after your application is approved. You will need to provide references and permission from the landlord if you don't own your home. Click here to view their adoptable dogs.
Our Companions Animal Rescue in Manchester, CT
Address: P.O. Box 956, Manchester, CT 06045
Tel: 860-242-9999
Email: helpline@ourcompanions.org
Established: 2002
Location Type: Sanctuary Shelter & Rescue
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees: Tax-deductible donation of $150.
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. Dogs are tested for Lyme disease and Heartworm. These services are included with the adoption fee. All dogs come with a discounted 8-week basic obedience course.
Services Offered: This location offers shelter and rescue animals for adoption. They also offer behavior training supported by at-risk youth. Serves Connecticut statewide.
Adoption Requirements: Fill out an application online to be paired with an adoption counselor. They will perform an interview and get an idea about your pet needs. You need to provide personal or vet references as well as landlord approval.
Pack Leaders Rescue of Connecticut
Address: East Hartford, CT 06108
Email: packleadersrescuect@gmail.com
Established: 2013
Location Type: Rescue & Shelter
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees: Adults $450, Seniors $250
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. These services are included with the adoption fee.
Services Offered: Serving Connecticut and surrounding states. This small rescue in East Hartford offers shelter and rescue dogs for adoption. They also offer pet training programs.
Adoption Requirements: View available animals and then submit an application online. References and an interview are required. Once approved a meet and greet will be arranged before the adoption is completed.
Connecticut Humane Society in Newington, CT
Address: 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111
Tel: 800-452-0114
Email: info@cthumane.org
Established: 1881
Location Type: Shelter & Rescue
Designation: 501(c)(3) non-profit
Fees:$100 - $445
All animals offered for adoption will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spay/neutered, and implanted with a microchip. Collar and leash in addition to a large bag of Science Diet dog food are also provided. These services are included with the adoption fee.
Services Offered: This location offers shelter and rescue dogs for adoption serving pets and families statewide through 3 locations: Newington, Waterford and Westport. They also offer medical care, accept owner surrenders, and also provide low-cost spay and neutering.
Adoption Requirements: You must be at least 18 to adopt. Once you find an animal you like you will need to fill out an application and schedule an interview with a counselor. A valid phone ID and landlord written approval for a pet are also required. References are also needed, and in the case of existing pets, a vet reference.
5 Reasons Why Dogs Are Getting Abandoned
Dogs are said to be man’s best friend, but sometimes owners simply have no choice but to give them up. From the outside, it can seem callous and uncaring, but there are a lot of reasons that families may be forced to part with their furry friends.
Due to Changing Circumstances
The most common reason for giving up a dog is the need to relocate.
This is usually paired with the new location not allowing pets or the exiting pet being too large for the new space. While many families may seek accommodation that allows pets, in reality, it comes down to what is affordable as the move-out date approaches.
Due to Lack of Space
Lack of space and too many pets are the next most common reasons for owner surrender.
Some larger breeds need a lot of yard space in order to be happy and healthy. If a person comes to realize that their dog is not suited to their available space, they end up having to find a new home or releasing them to a shelter.
It is important to research the breed and its needs prior to getting a new pet to reduce the chance of such events occurring.
Due to Personal Issues
There are also times when an owner has to give up their dog due to their own personal issues. This can be anything from health issues to having to work longer hours and no longer having time to care for a pet.
Even a breakup can lead to pet abandonment if the animal is a point of contention in the failed relationship.
Due to Lack of Financial Resources
Dogs, like people, do get sick on occasion. While most owners are able to care for a sick pet, there are many who are also unable to afford their care. Lack of financial ability does not mean they love their dog any less, simply that they can’t afford to give them the care they need.
Instead of putting the dog to sleep, they will often surrender them to a rescue that can offer the care they need to thrive.
Due to Dog Behavioral Issues
Another common reason dogs are given up for adoption is due to aggressive behavior or biting. Pet training is the first option to resolve such issues, but failing that, an owner may choose to release the dog to a shelter or pound.
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