Linda Bruno and her husband’s first introduction to the Greenwich Animal Shelter was in 2002 when they came across two dogs in their neighborhood that clearly had been abandoned and in need of care. With no luck finding the owners, they brought two the dogs to the Greenwich Animal Shelter. It was there that she met Animal Control Officer Stacy Rameor. Linda now having adopted 5 dogs since 2002, Morty 13 year old Husky mix and Phobe 8 year old hound mix in her care and part of her family.
Through Linda’s introduction to the shelter and her love for animals, the effort to raise money and to create Shelter our Strays came about. “I am like the citizen that never went away, it has it all started…I go about once per week and walk the dogs and help manage the pet adoption website which has really revolutionized the pet adoption system. Many people aren’t aware we have a local shelter, I would like people to consider adopting an animal before buying one.” Stacy adds “I wish the stigma of a dog going to the pound means that they will be euthanized. When residents find lost dogs I assure you they come to the shelter (not the pound!) and are well cared for (spoiled) until they are either reunited with their owner or placed for adoption.”
It was decided about 7 years that the shelter needed relocation, formerly on the grounds on the Bruce Museum. The Bruce Museum helped spear head the initiative to help find a new home for the shelter, and with support from the Town of Greenwich. It took about 2 years to raise the money but a new residence for the shelter and it’s animals new home on North Street. The town provides all the food, facilities and medical needs for the animals and SOS continues helps support with educational and community based programs. The mission of SOS is to provide for the benefit of the Shelter of Animals. With an active advisory board in place they most recently put an outdoor play area at the shelter for the animals.
Stacy Rameor a big advocate for SOS explains it was established to raise money for our new facility on North St. “We go to them when we need either special medical needs for our adoptableanimals or equipment we might need. The Town of Greenwich is amazing and
provides us with everything we need. SOS can just off set that sometimes. They have also donated to some of our Wildlife rehabilitators. The local Wildlife rehabers operate on donations and we bring them plenty of injured or orphaned wildlife throughout the year!”
If you find a lost animal or injured wildlife the Greenwich Animal Shelter is there to help. And helping the adoptable animals is easy.
In addition to our local Animal Shelter Our Strays, there many other amazing organizations doing Greater Good for animals, including Cat Assistance of New York a not-for-profit organization founded in 1992. An organization that believes strongly that every animal deserves a second chance. Their focus is taking in cats and dogs from private owners who are forced to give up their cats as well as rescuing cats and kittens from overcrowded local Ct and NY shelters that have run out of time and may be in danger of euthanasia. These cats and dogs then receive the necessary medical treatment which may include spaying and neutering if necessary. Each cat is socialized and loved while in care, in the hope that they will be matched to the perfect home. Cat assistance relies on foster homes to take in the animals for a short period of time while the adoption coordinators search for forever homes.
“People often dismiss the idea of fostering because they think it would be “too hard to let them go”. I’m not here to tell you that it’s easy, but it is the most satisfying job I’ve ever had. There is nothing better than saving a dog or cat, then finding the perfect owner and watching it thrive in it’s “forever home”. I continue to get updates from people that I adopted to years ago and it always brings a huge smile to my face. However, if people aren’t in the position to foster or adopt, donations are always helpful. The more funds we get, the more animals we can save. Whether it’s fostering, adopting or donating…every bit helps!” Amanda Erb Foster Parent for Cat Assistance
The adoptable animals are posted on their website as well as Facebook and other forms of social media to get the word out. Cat Assistance covers everything so the foster doesn’t have to worry about vet bills, food, litter, etc. The job of the foster is to keep the dog (or cat) safe and loved until they go to their forever home. And if you’re a first time foster and an older, shelter dog seems intimidating, they have get puppies too!
“I got into fostering thinking that I would take in a couple of dogs a year, but I didn’t anticipate getting addicted to it. After each dog and cat I think that I need a break, but shortly after I’m scrolling websites looking for my next foster. Once you open your eyes to the thousands of homeless dogs and cats are out there, it’s impossible to ignore. Fostering is the best kind of addiction.” Amanda Erb Animal Foster Parent with Cat Assistance
Shelter our Strays is located at 393 North Street is the local Animal Control enforcement organization. Greenwich Animal Control enforces local laws pertaining to the keeping of dogs, cats and other animals. In addition, it supervises animal adoptions when pets are not claimed by their owners. When the owner does not come forward and cannot be located, the animal is cared for and evaluated to determine if it is eligible for adoption to a suitable home.
If interested in adopting a friend like Linda, the Animal Control facility has visiting hours
8am to 2:30pm, Monday thru Friday, and weekends by appointment. Highly recommended that you make an appointment before visiting. The animal control officer on duty might have to respond to a call and animals would not be viewable at that time. To make an appointment, call: (203)622-8299 or 622-8081. Or to help Cat Assistance of New York or to become an Animal Foster Parent like Amanda they can be reached at catassistanceny.org.
