A Great Day For Pets In Windsor

With the national unemployment rate on the rise, and budgetary cuts on the state and local levels resulting in thousands of layoffs, things aren't looking up for many. Those with pets have felt a greater impact, often having to reduce their own needs in order to afford food or medical care for their pet or worse — giving up their dog or cat.

According to the Associated Press, Connecticut is one of several states with growing populations within animal shelters. "Rising economic anxieties make it increasingly difficult for some pet owners to justify spending $1,000 a year or more on pet food, veterinary service and other costs," the AP reported.

Thanks to a group of local advocates of four-legged family members things are looking up for pets and their owners in Windsor. Come Mon., July 16, Windsor will have its very own pet food pantry — a service aimed at helping those with dogs and cats afford to keep their pets in their homes and keep them healthy.

Created by The Friends of Windsor Animal Care and Control, a currently-pending 401-c3 non-profit organization, the pantry will be the first of its kind in town.

The Friends of Windsor Animal Care and Control, according to co-founders and Windsor residents Diane Logan and Debbie Samson, wa formed in the weeks and months following an effort on the part of Windsor residents to influence the Town of Windsor's intention to move the Windsor Dog Pound out of town and use another town's facility.

The effort was successful, as the dog pound, according to Logan and Samson, will not only remain in Windsor, but the Town of Windsor has set plans in place to construct an improved pound facility here in town in the future.

During the effort to save and improve Windsor's pound, the group "realized that tough economic times are forcing people and families to surrender their pets at alarmingly high rates," and they "wanted to help," Samson and Logan said.

Official pet pantry action kicks off with a bang today, Sat., July 16. Today, The Friends of Windsor Animal Control and Care will celebrate the opening of the pantry with a pet food drive at .

State Representative David Baram, Town Council members, Police Chief Kevin Searles and others are expected to be in attendance to support the effort.

The food drive will be held from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the grocery store on Kennedy Road.