AWS BUILDING EXPANSION & RENOVATION 2019
MOVING IN: NOVEMBER 2019
IT'S NICE TO BE INSIDE
The temporary office-trailer is gone, the renovation is nearing completion, we have a (new and improved) parking lot – and the outdoor Porta-Potty is no longer needed! Moving days are never easy. Organizing "our stuff" will take time. As we start to adjust to the newly renovated shelter things slowly are fitting in place and we are adjusting to our new environment. Construction is not complete, but we are inside! Things are still a little unorganized and there are some final touches to be done both inside and outside the building. Nonetheless, It is comforting to be in the building before the cold winter weather.
Please Note: Cats and dogs in the shelter will be shown between the hours of 11am-7pm on Tuesdays and 11am-2pm on Wednesdays through Saturdays by appointment only. If you are interested in adopting, please call 860-354-1350 or email for an appointment to meet our residents and find your new furry family member.
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Wednesday, April 10, 2019
AWS ‘excited’ to break ground for expansion
By Deborah Rose
BUILDING UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 2019
HALFWAY HOME
As summer moves into autumn the progress on our shelter construction and renovation rapidly leads toward the November completion of a bright, improved home for our dogs and cats. If you drive by or check our website, the changes are a wonderful surprise. The framing of the new addition and the renovation of the kennels are complete. The interior work that will create the cat maternity, healthy admissions and medical care rooms is taking shape. The reception and meeting areas are progressing towards welcoming adopters and the community.
Thanks to the hard work of our incredible staff and volunteers the cats and dogs have continued to receive the best care and comfort. The team that includes our contractor, architects and trades have consistently made the animals their first priority.
Now that the kennel is renovated we have resumed welcoming local dogs and those from rescues in the South. The cats reign from their special rooms and screened porch. Adoptions have continued during the entire process.
Our property includes an active construction site and safety is our priority. It is necessary, but easy, to make an appointment to meet our cats and dogs if you call us at 860-354-1350.
We are truly grateful for the bequest and a grant that are funding our renovation and expansion. Yet our full operational expenses must be maintained for the food, medical care and housing of our animals We welcome your donations by check or through our website, aws-shelter.org, to sustain us during this time.
This journey is filled with much more work but, thankfully, we are halfway home.
– Janet Bloch, President, AWS
UPDATE: AUGUST 2019
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ORIGINAL AWS BUILDING (BEFORE WORK BEGAN)
AWS WITH ADDITION FRAMED – SEPTEMBER 2019
PROJECT OUTLINE AND FLOOR PLAN
RENOVATION: ORIGINAL OUTDOOR KENNEL AREA
RENOVATION: KENNEL PLATFORM DEMOLITION
KENNEL RENOVATION COMPLETED, AUGUST 2019
BOTH KENNEL AREAS RENOVATED/UPDATED, AUGUST 2019
ARTIST RENDERING NEW RECEPTION AREA
OLD RECEPTION AREA – CROWDED EVEN ON A LIGHT DAY
RECEPTION AREA – CONSTRUCTION, SEPTEMBER 2019
ARTIST RENDERING – RECEPTION AREA
RECEPTION AREA (2) – CONSTRUCTION, SEPTEMBER 2019
OLD RECEPTION AREA – TO BECOME A HOLD ROOM
OLD MANAGER OFFICE – TO BECOME NEW MATERNITY ROOM
OUR TEMPORARY ON-SITE OFFICE
INSIDE OUR TEMPORARY OFFICE/RECEPTION AREA
AWS HOURS – ALSO CHECK WEBSITE/FACEBOOK
END-OF-SUMMER 2019
With construction teams on the property, plus the daily schedule and chores of the shelter, at times the progress that is being made can be overlooked. Needless to say, the project has been – and continues – moving forward. We are already realizing immediate benefits of the work to date. Important outdoor kennel renovations have been completed. The platforms were becoming a health and safety matter (and a serious budget item for “frequent quick and temporary fixes”). Additional drainage and foundation work in that area of the building have been completed as well.
More visible? The completed framing of the new addition is catching everyone's attention!
We will welcome the additional space of our new reception area, along with proper room for visitors and adopting families to meet with AWS staff and be properly introduced to their future pets. The project includes a new maternity room, an updated isolation room, grooming room, an exam room and (the space for a future) surgery room. The addition allows us to more efficiently separate our kennels from the more public and “meet-and-greet” and business aspects of the shelters work. We are, ultimately, creating a more practical, comfortable and less stressful environment for our residents awaiting their forever homes.
As the work continues to progress, please visit this page to keep abreast of updates and developments. We will do our best to let you know when updates are available on our homepage, Facebook and in our email newsletter.
CLICK VIDEO BELOW
“I believe there are two words to describe what we are feeling today. The first word is excitement. The second word is gratitude.”
– Janet Bloch, Groundbreaking Ceremony
AWS Shelter April 2, 2019
AWS Shelter News
On April 2, 2019 New Milford's Animal Welfare Society celebrated the groundbreaking on a long-awaited expansion and renovation of the Shelter facilities. We will be posting information, news and the progress of the project on this page.
APRIL 2019
PRESS RELEASE
Announcement for AWS new expansion and renovation
Animal Welfare Society in New Milford is ready to break ground
The Animal Welfare Society in New Milford is ready to break ground on a new 1,300 square-foot expansion and renovation of their current building. It will improve the shelter for the intake, loving care and placement of almost 500 animals annually.
The Animal Welfare Society, a “no-kill” facility, has provided a home and matched furry pets with loving families for 54 years. "We’ve had plans for an expansion since 2008”, stated Janet Bloch, AWS President. “Recently we received an extraordinary bequest that will allow us to fulfill our dream to improve our 1991 vintage shelter. We are now working to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the project and continue our mission to provide exceptional care for all of our cats and dogs.”
The groundbreaking is planned for April 2, 2019 at 8 Dodd Road in New Milford.
The architectural plans were designed by Architecture Design Alliance in New Milford. Old Mill Builders LLC, of Brookfield, is the project contractor.
The construction will provide dogs and cats with additional rooms for health assessments and veterinary care. There will be improvements to the kennels and offices. A bright new area will offer space where adopters may visit dogs and cats they are considering for their family. A meeting room will be available for education and community programs.
Ms. Bloch also stated, “We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary bequest and for the support of each of our donors. Many animals, pet adopters and our communities will benefit from their generosity.”
Renee Gardner, Shelter Manager for 28 years said, “My staff and I are very excited about the new expansion. It will enhance the areas of care for the animals and provide improved working space for our dedicated staff and volunteers.”
During construction AWS will maintain their standard operations and usual top-notch care of their cats and dogs.
The Animal Welfare Society, Inc. does not receive funds from local or state governments. It is an independent, 501c3, non-destroy rescue.
For more information about the Animal Welfare shelter please contact awsnm.manager@gmail.com or visit aws-shelter.org.
©2019, The Animal Welfare Society, All right reserved.
Animal Welfare Society is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization.
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