Do you have room for a new fact? Good. Here’s one: It’s National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week. And if you’ve been paying attention to our Instagram, you know we love animals — specifically the ones we live with. (Get ready for loads of cuteness, because this is a thinly veiled excuse to share lots of pet pics!) In honor of them, we thought we’d tell you all about our favorite shelters and rescues — including the organizations our furry friends came from. 

Yappy Tails Animal Rescue

Based out of Enfield, Yappy Tails transports animals from places with huge surplus pet populations to foster homes in the area — and eventually finds them forever homes. For instance, I adopted Willow from them last October after she made her way up from Texas. Now, I can’t vouch for all of their dogs, but I can tell you that if I were to describe my idea of the perfect dog to you, it would be Willow. She is super smart, loving, active, and easy to live with — and if their other dogs are half as awesome she is, you won’t be disappointed. 

Not ready for a new furry friend? Support them by donating or fostering.

Connecticut Humane Society

The Connecticut Humane Society is a more traditional shelter. They’ve got dogs, cats, rabbits, birds — you name it, you can probably adopt it from there. Back in January of 2012, I walked into the Newington location one afternoon just intending to take a look and left with the canine love of my life, Maybelle. (Warning! Don’t click on that link unless you’re ready to sob!) CHS definitely does its due diligence before sending anyone home with a pet, but they don’t make you jump through unreasonable hoops or charge you an arm and a leg. When I adopted Maybelle it cost me $150 and they sent me home with a bag of food, a leash and collar, an activated microchip, a toy that she had no interest in, and a month of free pet insurance. There are three locations in the state, but the biggest is in Newington, where they also operate a low-cost veterinary clinic to help pet owners in the state. (However, Maybelle’s best-dog-friend, Tulla, came from the Westport location, and she is a pretty awesome dog too, so I’m guessing all the locations are filled with awesome potential pals.)

Want to help support the great work CHS does across the state? Donate now. 

Our Companions

Based on an old chicken farm in Ashford, Our Companions is so much more than a rescue. The Ashford sanctuary is a place where animals with issues can rehabilitate and get the training and healthcare they need to become loved family members again. But I know them because of the many classes I’ve taken with them over the years. Maybelle was a “frustrated greeter” and we spent years in training — working on her tendency to start barking and spinning in circles if she couldn’t run up to every dog she saw. And when Linus started chasing lights and shadows, I turned to them as well. So whether you’re in the market for a new pet or you need help with the one you already have, I cannot say enough good things about Our Companions! As they say, “Once a client, always a client.” And don’t worry, their training facility is in Manchester, so you don’t have to drive all the way out to Ashford if you just want to take a class.

Help them keep building out the sanctuary and doing good work by donating.

Protectors of Animals

Many years ago a cat had kittens under my grandmother’s shed. My cousin and I trapped them all and found homes for the kittens, but we didn’t have a place for Mama Cat. (Ain’t that always the way?) So we called Protectors of Animals in East Hartford. Despite being overrun with cats and kittens (the norm for any shelter in the spring), they took Mama Cat in and found her a home. Conveniently located right off of Route 2 (you can literally see them from the highway) getting yourself a new feline friend couldn’t be easier.

Whether you want to adopt, volunteer, or donate, consider helping POA out.

Honorable mentions

Here are a few organizations that didn’t quite fit into our line-up but that we think deserve an honorable mention:

• Kenway’s Cause — This non-profit 501c3 organization funds medical care for injured animals picked up by the City of Hartford Animal shelter and helps Hartford Animal Control find homes for strays. Donate and help them continue to provide care for animals in need. 

• Underhound Railroad — After Maybelle died, I couldn’t bear the idea of living with a dog who wasn’t her but also needed the routine of a dog in my life. So we started fostering for Underhound Railroad. Based out of Maine, they aren’t really local, but our last foster for them was Linus, and we decided we couldn’t live without him. So shout out to them.

• Glastonbury Animal Control — I used to be a reporter for the Glastonbury Citizen and my favorite part of the job was going to the pound and writing bios for each of the adoptable pets. It’s Glastonbury, so they aren’t exactly overrun with strays, but I spent months putting a big, sweet (but not terribly photogenic cat) in the paper before finally deciding to bring him home. I had that little weirdo for 15 years. They don’t fundraise or take volunteers in the same way the other shelters do, but if you reach out they do have some ways you can help.