New London’s pound has been condemned since Superstorm Sandy roared through it; its roof badly damaged by an enormous tree that fell across it. If it wasn’t for their cinderblock walls this tree would have gone through straight to the floor and the officer inside injured.
All of their pet food and supplies are now lost to water damage. They are in desperate need of bedding, pet toys, leashes, carriers, wet food, dry food, bleach, towels and blankets. New London Self Storage on 960 Bank Street has donated the use of a climate controlled 10 x 10 unit to house donations for them. Their hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 to 5.
Donations of gift cards to animal control officers for local pet stores will allow them to readily purchase supplies. People can call 860-447-5265 (their temporary office number) to inquire about specific needs. Donations can be mailed to: New London Police Dept. Attn: Animal Control, 5 Governor Winthrop Blvd, NL, CT 06320
Currently their pound animals are sharing the tiny facilities at Montville Animal Control on Maple Avenue. An application has been put into their insurer and FEMA for repair/replacement of their facility. These funds may be used to create a new facility in conjunction with other towns according to Public Works. However, this will delay the process of their getting a facility for months; possibly years.
Animal control officers are keeping a local presence by working out of a temporary office on 40 Truman Street. This means Montville’s animal control officer has had her workload double. New London has agreed to send their kennel hand up to Montville to assist in the upkeep and care of their animals on weekends and on holidays. What they need to do is provide for 7 day coverage as this is a mutual aid situation and they shouldn’t overburden Montville‘s officer. Montville’s pound is smaller than New London’s and is now carrying the burden of 2 communities.
A major concern is euthanasia could increase for lack of space! So I’m asking that folks start a new Christmas tradition this year; open your heart and home and go to the Montville pound and adopt a pound pet. Call them at 860-848-3529. You can save a life.And afterwards call New London Public Works (860-447-5250), New London city councilors and their Mayors Office and inquire about the status of their communities animal control facility. Encourage them to apply for addition grant money and rebuild ASAP. Innocent lives are depending on us.
This also means contacting Captain Wright, their Animal Control Officer in the police department, at 860-447-5250 as he would be the person who'd decide when each animal gets put down (this is because New London’s working animal control officers are actually considered 'assistant animal control officers' under Public Works and as such they do not have the authority to make the actual decision to euthanize. They follow orders. This is a appalling position to be in.)
The public needs to cry out to demand this pound be repaired/replaced quickly. Trying to get a regional pound together with communities that have said no in the past won’t be the answer. This could waste years that these incarcerated animals don’t have. Impounded animals are dependent on the community stepping up.
