Help Shelter Dogs and Cats

Support Local Animal Shelter

Fundraiser for Fido and Fluffy

BadSons' Fundraiser for Fido

Ansonia Fundraiser for Fluffy and Fido

Mayor to Pour Drinks for Furry Friends

Seymour Police Dogs Get Bulletproof Vests

K9 Rex

SEYMOUR- Seymour Police Department canines Rex & Zoar received bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9 Rex’s vest was sponsored by Richard Kearns of RKFMX in Prospect, CT and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by RKFMX “Guided by Angels””. K9 Zoar’s vest was sponsored by Robert Kezelevich of the Seymour Senior Citizen’s and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Seymour Senior Citizen’s."

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.



 K9 Zoar
 

(Information shared from Seymour Police Department's Facebook page)

Klarides-Ditria Fights for Animal Welfare

Dear Neighbors,   Today, I joined my colleagues on the Animal Welfare Caucus to announce major animal welfare initiatives for the 2018 legislative session.   Here are a few bills we will be fighting for this session:   ✅ Adequate shelter for dogs in extreme weather   ✅ Removing accelerated rehabilitation as an option for animal abusers   ✅ Implementing recommendations from the Human Animal Welfare Task Force   (Click on link below to WATCH)

https://www.facebook.com/REPNKD/videos/1613478805372762/ 

The Hops Co. to host "Barktoberfest"

 

 

DERBY-  Following the success of last spring’s Beer for Beasts, The Hops Company, Connecticut’s only authentic beer garden, will host Barktoberfest on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 12pm until 4pm.  The event will allow guests to bring their leashed dogs to partake in an afternoon of fun activities at The Hops Company’s back garden.  $1 from the sale of each beer will be donated to the Shelton Animal Shelter and Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter.

A celebration of beer, people and our faithful four-legged companions, Barktoberfest will also include adoption opportunities.

 

Umberto Morale, owner of The Hops Company said, “The Hops Company is always looking for ways to give back to our local community.  This spring’s Beer for Beasts event was an enormous success, raising over $2,400 for local animal shelters.  We expect Barktoberfest to carry on this tradition and provide a fun day for animal lovers and their dogs to experience our expansive outdoor garden.”

Details

Date:  Sunday, October 22, 2017 12pm – 4pm (Rain date:  Sunday, October 29, 2017)

Where:  The Hops Company – The event will be held in the back garden with parking at 43 Marshall Lane, Derby, CT.

All pets must be on a leash.

 

About The Hops Company

The Hops Company is Connecticut’s only destination for an authentic beer garden experience. Offering over 36 draft beers, a full bar, and great food options that are served up in a traditional European beer garden setting with family-style tables, outdoor areas with fire pits, and plenty of games for the whole family. The Lodge and Barn at The Hops Company can accommodate walk-in and private parties of all sizes making it the perfect gathering place for friends and family to celebrate any occasion. The Hops Company is proud to have won Connecticut Magazine’s Reader’s Choice and Expert Pick for Best Beer Bar in the state.  Set across 4.5 acres and tucked away in scenic Derby, The Hops Company is a rustic hidden gem that is closer than you would think ̶ a short drive from Fairfield and New Haven County locations.  Fresh brews, food, friends and family… no wonder The Hops Company is the perfect destination for every generation.  For more information go to:  www.thehopscompany.com

 

(This is a press release from The Hops Co.)

Help Feed Fido and Fluffy

Pooches Pose for Good Cause



Christopher Charles Rutherford III: one of the pooches featured in the calendar. Photo by Samantha Barracca
 

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent

SEYMOUR >> The Seymour Fire Department has teamed up with the local animal shelter to kick off an adorable 2018 ahead, creating a calendar for a cause that shows much more than the date.

 Coco’s Animal Rescue Efforts of Seymour, or CARES, came up with the idea to raise awareness and funds about the cats and dogs at the shelter in need of forever homes.

 “A gorgeous photo can make a huge difference when it comes to a rescue pet getting adopted,” said CARES Vice President Deborah Kiefer. “We’ve put pearls on pit bulls and kittens in baskets; we use props and different locations to showcase our animals at their best. We knew we could put together an amazing calendar, which would remind people every day that there are wonderful rescue pets out there to adopt.”

Read more here:

Ansonia riverwalk to stay ‘dog friendly’ in 2015

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
ANSONIA >> Man’s best friend can continue to walk human owners along the city’s popular riverwalk.
The Board of Aldermen unanimously voted at its March 10 meeting to extend the “dog-friendly rule” and allow canines on the riverwalk for the remainder of 2015.
The city passed an ordinance prior to the riverwalk opening in 2012 that banned dogs and all other animals, except for service dogs, from using the walkway, and tacked a $99 fine onto the ordinance for violators.

Read more here. 

Derby Neck Library offers games, tech talk, movies, and more

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. will present a free program, Ancient Games, for 'tweens, teens, and adults at 6 p.m. Sept. 2.
Come learn Go, parcheesi, mancala, chess, and similar games.
All boards and instructions are provided to help you enjoy these games of strategy.

Photo of library taken from website

Dinner and a movie

The Library will host Dinner and a Movie (for adults 18 and older) at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 4.
This month’s feature film is Blue Jasmine by Woody Allen, shown on blu-ray.
Refreshments will be served, including free pizza at intermission.

Women's Forum

The Library will host Women's Forum at 12:30 p.m. Sept 15.  Women’s Forum is a monthly discussion group that focuses on short stories, poetry, current events, history, and the arts. Free coffee and tea. Bring a light lunch if you wish.  

Tech Talks
Tech Talks will be presented at 6 p.m. Sept 15 and again at 10:30 a.m. Sept 17.
This series of sessions offers advice on what is new in technology and how best to use it.  Your questions are always answered. For this month’s topic call 203-734-1492.

Music and movement

At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 the Library hosts Bedtime Music and Movement with Miss Kathi.  Children may wear their pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal to sing and dance under our special stars.

Writers' Round
Writers’ Round meets at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18.  This is a workshop for authors of all genres - poetry, prose, fiction, scripts, etc. Bring your original works to share with others.  

Teen movie

Teen Movie Night will happen at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23, featuring Godzilla shown on blu-ray.  Only 20 seats are available; call early to register.
Free refreshments will be served, including pizza.

Read to a canine

The Library welcomes Thor and Bailey our special dog friends your child can read to at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24.
Each child has a 15-minute session with the canines and a chance to practice their reading skills as a new school year begins. Registration requested.

Evening Book Club

At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 the Library inaugurates the Evening Book Club.
Each month a book of fiction, history, biography, or current events will be the focus. 
Books of moderate length and available in paperback format will be selected each month.
The first selection is Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis.
Free copies will be available at the library approximately one month before the club’s first meeting.

For information on any of the above programs or to register call 203-734-1492.


This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Derby Library to host canine communication program

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled the program, Understanding Your Best Friend,

at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25.

Phil Klein, Certified Dog Listener, will present a kind and empathetic method for gaining your dog’s cooperation based on its instincts.   

Participants will learn how canines see the world and the underlying reasons for unwanted behaviors such as hyperactivity, destructive chewing, incessant barking, toileting in the house, jumping on guests, and aggression. 
They will also learn the four main areas of canine communication, including the

leadership signals that will eliminate or minimize these behaviors.   

Come and learn how to turn your dog into a relaxed and joyful companion.  Bring your questions, but not your dogs for an enlightening evening.

 
Registration is requested.  
For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

         

Kennel club to host 'dog day' in Ansonia

For more information contact Sarah Murphy, Sarah@TextileArtistry.org or Sue Carter, werecat@snet.net.

Animals blessed at Ansonia shelter

ANSONIA - The Rev. Richard Beattie, Interim Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, blessed animals Saturday at the Ansonia Animal Shelter.

Animal Control Officer Jean Roslonowski organized the event to raise awareness of the needs of shelter animals.

Beattie chats with Derby resident Lyn Sroka and Casey.

 

 Dog trainer Samantha Mirtsopoulos of Ansonia brought Vera to be blessed.

Strapped into her sidecar, Willow waits to go home after being blessed.

Roslonowski deserves to be commended for her dedication to the job. She is always at the ready to care for all animals.

Although we don't have a dog, we do have an indoor cat who keeps us company (and on our toes).  I know very well how these pets become beloved members of the family.

Program in Derby seeks to help children with dog bites

DERBY - The Planetree People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.) Program is sponsoring a free dog bite prevention program for schoolchildren at 10 a.m. June 22 in the Meditation/Learning Center at Griffin Hospital.

Sheri Polzella, of For The Love of Dogs, LLC, will present the “Be a Tree” dog bite prevention program for schoolchildren.

The 45-minute program is offered across the country by veterinary technicians, dog trainers, dog behaviorists, public health nurses, emergency medical services personnel, animal control officers, police officers, teachers and humane educators.

Presenters use a teacher kit which contains large format photographs showing dog body language signs, games and activities.
Over 700,000 children worldwide have experienced the Be a Tree presentation since 2004.
To register, visit griffinhealth.org or call 203-732-1511.
For information, contact Ruth Tuccio at 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

About P.A.W.S
Griffin Hospital currently has 16 dogs in its P.A.W.S. program, ranging from a Toy Poodle to a Great Dane.
All the dogs are registered and insured through a Therapy Dog group. Each dog must pass a rigorous behavior and medical screening prior to entry to our program.  We welcome all breeds of dogs who qualify for testing for therapy dog work.
Griffin Hospital is currently seeking eligible dogs to visit weekdays. Dogs must be tested and registered as therapy dogs if not already certified. Dogs and handlers are tested together as a team.  Dogs must be able to walk beside handler on a loose leash, no pulling straining or jumping, MUST get along well with others dogs and must be able to take direction from their owner/handler. Dogs must be at least one year of age.

For information about the P.A.W.S. program, contact Ruth Tuccio at 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

This post is taken from a press release. 

Kids can read to canines at Derby Neck Library

DERBY -  Children are invited to Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. from 6-7 p.m., Sept. 19 to read to the therapy dogs, Thor and Cosmo.
Parents may register a child for a 15-minute session with one of the two St. Bernard dogs by calling 203-734-1492.

Culture club to meet
At 12:30 p.m. Sept. 17 the Culture Club meets at the Library. This discussion group focuses on literature, history, and related arts.
The September meeting features the moderator discussing autumn poetry, and participants may bring items of literature to share.
For information call 203-734-1492.

Ansonia attack highlights pit bull debate

I'm not a dog person. I've never owned one, but I do like friends' and neighbors' dogs.

I guess I don't want the responsibility that comes along with being a dog owner. Caring for my indoor cat 24/7 is enough for me! 

When I read about pit bull terriers biting people, I feel sorry for the victim, of course, but I also feel for the dog.

I realize the controversy is never-ending, but I just don't believe pit bulls are inherently vicious. It seems they are trained to attack.

Last night yet another person in Ansonia was bitten by a pit bull.

The dog is now in quarantine for 14 days, police said.


What do you think? Are there really "bad" dogs? Or are there just "bad" owners?

Rabies, micro chip clinic set Saturday

June is dog-licensing month and your best friend must be up to date with rabies shots to renew the license.

There is a rabies and micro chip clinic scheduled Saturday to assist you.

Here is the info:

Rabies and micro chip clinic will be held under the pavilion at High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Road, Orange, from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Rabies vaccines are $15; micro chips, while they last, cost $20, with an additional fee for registration.

The clinic is sponsored by Country Companion Veterinary Services and Amity Animal Rescue Fund.