Local animal shelter pleads for help ahead of closure in May

MONROE, CT (WFSB) - After 20 years of care for animals in need, a local dog shelter said it will close its doors in early May, and employees are pleading for help from the community.

The SPCA of Monroe, formerly known as the Animal Adoption Network, said it has helped thousands of animals find forever homes. Now, its employees are concerned their dogs and cats may end up in a kill shelter if they are not adopted by May 6.

Despite their best efforts to keep the no-kill shelter open, they said financial constraints have made it impossible to continue operations.

“We are doing everything possible to find these deserving dogs and cats a home, but we desperately need help. Many of these animals are healthy, socialized, and highly adoptable,” a shelter spokesperson shared.

Most of the dogs are older and have special needs, according to the shelter.

“If somebody has patience, and understanding and time and they can deal with special needs, they are adoptable. What’s sad for us, we have to close, is some of these dogs only know us, some of them have been here for a long time,” added Linda Lapine, a volunteer.

“They’re older, a lot of people don’t want older dogs, they want younger dogs, we have some of those as well. I love these guys, I treat them like my own,” said Marianne Rogowski, another volunteer.

The property at 359 Spring Hill Rd. in Monroe is under foreclosure and going to auction on May 6. The SPCA said all animals must be removed from the property by that date.

“It’s been in foreclosure for a few years and this time it’s inevitable. We kind of have been operating on borrowed time, not thinking that this day would actually come. We just got word of it and as soon as we did we’ve been reaching out, trying to get the word out to adopt all these wonderful animals,” said Linda.

A shelter volunteer shared concerns in a release that was shared with Channel 3. The release stated that employees were most concerned that any animal not adopted could be at high risk of being euthanized.

“We need people to adopt a dog or cat, or to donate on our GoFundMe page which helps cover our vet expenses and possible ‘rehoming’ of our animals,” the volunteer said.

“If we can’t place these animals we’re hoping to find shelters, sanctuaries that can help them out,” said Linda.

The shelter cares for about 18 dogs and 14 cats. Interested parties should visit spcact.org to see the adoptable animals or to make a donation.

To schedule a meet and greet, people can call the SPCA at 475-290-8525 or email spcaofctmonroe@gmail.com.

The shelter is also holding an open house this weekend.

A link to the shelter’s GoFundMe can be found here.

“Some of them, this is the only home that they’ve ever known. Be patient with them, work them, don’t just give them up if it doesn’t work out, you have to work with these dogs,” Marianne said. “They just need love, love and kindness and that’s what matters.”

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