On Sunday, December 13th, the Danbury Animal Welfare Society invited me to their 2nd annual Champion Member Brunch. Champion members are those who donate $250 or more during the annual membership drive. Food was excellent and we sat through a wonderful, uplifting presentation on DAWS vision for the future as well as their annual update.
Through the community’s generous support as well as their sound financial practices, the shelter installed new kennel roofs, emergency exit lighting, new windows and doors and new exterior fencing. Among new capital improvements for 2010 include remodeling the interior to add a community meeting room. I am very excited about this since I will have a place to hold my pet first aid classes as well as other pet educational seminars.
They have provided continued education for their shelter manager. This keeps the shelter running at peak efficiency. They have added 65 new volunteers. They filled positions from office help to socialization and training of residents to clinic help and everything in between. No matter what your interest or skills are, there is a job waiting for you at the shelter.
This year the shelter adopted out more than 300 dogs, including 42 puppies. Big thanks go to the foster families who take in special needs and pregnant dogs. It also saw the adoption of 275 cats and kittens. They Trapped, Neutered and Returned 90 cats back to feral colonies, compared to 22 last year. They also performed 73 low-cost spay and neuters in the community.
DAWS vision for the future includes a new shelter by 2019, complete with an on-site medical clinic.
Their two biggest fundraisers for the year are the Puppy Love Ball set for February 20th and the Annual Walk for the Animals set for September 26th. The newest fundraiser is a 2010 calendar. They are $20 and make a great stocking stuffer for the animal lover in your life. All proceeds go directly to DAWS. You can contact them at www.daws.org to buy tickets, make a donation or see adoptable dogs and cats. The direct link for the calendar is www.daws.org/calendar2010.html.
DAWS would like to remind everyone during the Holiday Season to save a life and adopt not shop.
To read part one go to www.groomwise.typepad.com/pet_first_aid_care/2009/05/danbury-animal-welfare-society.html.

