Memorialize a Loved One While Supporting Stratford Animals

It takes quite a bit of money and special effort to care for abandoned and stray animals in Stratford, and the numbers are surprisingly high, as the Stratford Animal Shelter accepts more than 600 animals per year, mostly strays.

And every pet that is adopted from the shelter is tested for diseases, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped as needed. In addition, animal behaviorists and trainers often work with the shelter’s animals to increase the individual’s potential for adoption.

The Town of Stratford provides limited funding to support the shelter’s efforts towards meeting each of these individual animals’ needs. The deficit in funding is made up by the continued volunteer support and fundraising efforts of S.T.A.R.S, the Stratford Animal Rescue Society.

Such a fundraising effort is the current Brick & Bench Fundraiser to Benefit Animals. Animal Control Officer Rachel Solveira urges Stratford residents to “consider memorializing someone special, honoring a friend, relative, beloved pet or just leaving your name in support of our mission.”

Individuals, families and companies are asked to support this fundraising effort. There are two different sized bricks for ‘sale.’ The 4” x 8” bricks cost $50 each, and the 8” x 8” bricks cost $100 each. Stone benches (17” x 15” x 41”) are $600 each. A paw print logo may be added to each of these for $15.

All the proceeds from this event will be used to subsidize various Stratford-based programs including: the spay/neuter and vaccination of pets of low-income Stratford families and senior citizens; assistance with spay/neuter/release efforts of the Stratford stray and feral cat populations; the provision of monetary assistance to valid Animal Rescue organizations serving the town of Stratford and it’s residents; efforts towards public awareness and education of animal laws and responsible pet ownership campaigns, and, continued coverage of medical care and spay/neuter of the homeless animals at Stratford Animal Control Facility.

Each brick purchased “will be placed on the entrance walkway of the new Animal Control Facility,” said Solveira, which “will be on Beacon Point Road and is expected to be completed by June” 2011.

The current Stratford Animal Shelter at 9 Frog Pond Lane was built more than 50 years ago and has since “outgrown its usefulness,” she said.

To order bricks or a stone bench, visit www.bricksrus.com/order/stratford. For more information about the Brick & Bench Fundraiser contact brickandbench@yahoo.com or 203-338-7387, or visit the current Stratford Animal Shelter at 9 Frog Pond Lane, Mon - Tue, 8am - 4pm; Wed – Fri, 8am – 8pm; Sat – Sun, 9am – 5pm.

For more information about the Stratford Animal Shelter visit www.stratfordac.org. For more information about the S.T.A.R.S. volunteer program and opportunities visit stratfordanimalrescue.com.