THE SCOOP
The bi-monthly newsletter of The Animal Haven, Inc.
Published on the 2nd Tuesday of every other month
A Letter from the President
In a few weeks, we enter the season when gratitude and generosity go hand in hand. Gratitude comes from appreciating what we have – our health, family, and companions, both human and animal. In turn, feeling gratitude makes us aware of what others don’t have (in this case a belly rub, some kibble, or a new toy). That’s where generosity comes in: donating time or money to others gives us a sense of value and purpose. This holiday season, on behalf of The Animal Haven, allow me to express our gratitude for your generosity and our hope for your continued support.
Linda Marino
President
Sep-Oct 2022
SHELTER ACTIVITY

Animals brought in:
Cats: 30
Dogs: 4
Total: 34
 
Animals adopted:
Cats: 24
Dogs: 6
Total: 30

Returns: 2

Animals spayed/neutered: 32
Thank You to Subaru of New England for the #SNELovesPets Campaign and to Our Supporters for Posting Photos of Their Pets
Thank you to our supporters who turned their pet photo postings into a $5,000 donation for The Animal Haven from Subaru of New England. During the recent #SNELovesPets campaign, each of the photos posted on social media earned a $5.00 donation from the automotive dealer. As Subaru likes to say, “It’s no secret that Subaru of New England loves pets!” And it’s no secret that we love Subaru of New England for supporting The Animal Haven and eleven other animal organizations in New England.
The Animal Haven is looking for a videographer to volunteer their talents with respect to an exciting upcoming project at the shelter. If interested, please email Linda at linda@theanimalhavenct.org
Pet Story of the Month: Cassie and Rusty

Lorraine and Hank have a love affair with cats. They care for the neighborhood strays and provide a home to a mother and her kittens.

But still, Lorraine, a former music teacher, felt something was missing. She said she found the answer – answers -- at The Animal Haven a few weeks ago. “We never had an orange cat or a calico,” she said. “Now we do, and they have the run of the house!”

Lorraine said the couple saw a photo of Rusty, pictured above, a 10-year-old orange cat, and visited The Animal Haven to meet him. They “fell in love” and went once or twice a week to try and bond with him. “He would sit in my lap for a while, but I noticed when he jumped off, he would go into a cage with another cat, Cassie,” a 3-year-old calico, pictured below.

When the time came to take Rusty home, Lorraine thought he “looked quite forlorn.” So, along came Cassie. “I was only going to get one,” Lorraine said. “But I couldn’t do it to Rusty" because of their bond.

Lorraine said the cats are still bonded but have become acclimated to the other cats nearby. “They give us so much joy,” Lorraine said. We share that sentiment with you, Lorraine: it’s people like you and Hank who give us so much joy!
Volunteer Spotlight: Stephanie Ward

Every Sunday, Stephanie Ward strolls around The Animal Haven, looking for trouble. She doesn’t know where it will be, but somehow it finds her. It’s then that her real work begins.

Stephanie is a certified Master in the Japanese practice of Reiki, which, according to the National Institute of Health, is a safe and gentle hands-on approach to transferring energy to a patient in emotional or physical distress. As she walks around the cages and connects with each animal, she can sense whether one is in severe emotional or physical pain.

“It’s a feeling,” she said. “Reiki is the transfer of energy. If they are in pain, I can feel it right away.” Because she has volunteered at the shelter for almost a year, Stephanie said she has developed relationships with the animals, so she knows “what their ‘normal’ is … if one of the animals is doing great or not.”

Abandoned or surrendered animals experience levels of physical and/or emotional trauma that range from mild to severe. Learning to trust again takes time, but Stephanie believes her special training has shelter animals feeling better within a few visits. 

Reiki involves using visualization and concentration, she said. “I visualize the animal in my head from its head to its feet. I focus on a flare-up area and imagine sending energy through.” For example, if there is inflammation involved, Stephanie will imagine moving the energy out of the body rather than have it stagnate. Duke, a black Lab at the shelter, loves Reiki, she said. “He’s very vocal when I treat him.” Duke gets a great sense of relief from his time with Stephanie. She said that shelter animals are naturally apprehensive, so any interaction with them starts slowly. Within a few visits, however, the animals greet Stephanie with enthusiasm.

We, too, greet Stephanie – and all our volunteers – with enthusiasm. Her kindness towards our animals is just the kind of balm we all could use nowadays. 
Hours of Operation

The shelter is open by appointment only due to COVID-19. If you are interested in adopting an animal, please fill out and submit an application on our website (www.theanimalhavenct.org). We will be in touch with you to schedule an appointment if your application is approved. Thank you.