Animal shelter fire leads to overflow

Wolcott (WTNH) - There were plenty of volunteers helping to clean up the Animal Rescue Foundation in Terryville, known as ARF, after a devastating fire in November. But they have not been able to re-open. That's now having ripple effects in surrounding towns and their pounds.

"They've been there for 30 years. We've really grown dependent on having them," Wolcott Animal Control Officer Joe Ouimet said. "And, now that they're shut down, it's really starting to hit home now."

Ouimet's new pet project is the Wolcott pound. In the past, a dog or cat stayed there for two weeks at most, then ARF took them in. It was the same for the larger pounds in Bristol and Waterbury. ARF is a no-kill shelter that specializes in finding happy homes for poor pooches. But, without that avenue, there's a big backlog of dogs. In fact, with five furry guests here, Wolcott is already at capacity.

Add to that the ailing economy, it's forcing folks like Michelle Hlavna to make some heart-breaking choices.

"[I'm] trying to find a place to take the dogs, it's just nobody wants them," Hlavna, said. "So, as we're looking, we're noticing more and more places don't take pets."

Hlavna's family is moving into an apartment. So today, she gave up her two beloved pure-bred English bull dogs -- Beaufort and Howie. She says, the kids are taking it okay.

"Not bad, not bad," Hlavna said. "I'm taking it worse."

She was only comfortable bringing them to Ouimet because Hlavna knows he would do whatever he can to place them; it's something that's becoming increasingly difficult these days.

"Especially when they get full. There's only two ways out for the dogs, as you know," Ouimet said. "And we like to save them."

He would also like to save ARF. It is a non-profit group that's trying to raise enough money to re-build the shelter. A fundraiser is being held on Saturday, January 24th at Old School Social Club in Wolcott.

For information call Lisa at (203) 528-8001.