MONROE, CT — Orange cones are being used to cordon off the Monroe Animal Shelter at 447 Purdy Hill Road, while contractors for Zeiss Construction Group, a Stratford firm, work inside the gutted building. A massive renovation and addition project will modernize the nearly 33-year-old facility.
In the meantime, the animal control shelter in neighboring Newtown is taking in Monroe’s stray dogs and cats, until Monroe’s building is completed and ready for occupancy in the spring, and Monroe Animal Control Officer Gina Gambino and her staff are working out of a temporary office in the public works building next door.
“We appreciate Newtown helping us, while we construct this new facility for our four-legged friends,” First Selectman Terry Rooney said during a recent interview at the Purdy Hill Road construction site.
Rooney and Monroe Public Works Deputy Director Bill Phillips were visiting the site with Gambino to see how the work was progressing.
“I’m looking at how it flows and if the space will be workable,” Rooney said. “Everything looks good. We have to make some subtle changes.”
Town residents should continue to call 203-452-3760 to reach Monroe Animal Control staff. The shelter is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. After hours, call the Monroe Police Department at 203-261-3622.
The Newtown facility is currently housing a Cane Corso mix from Monroe, which is being treated for skin issues, according to Gambino.
“We had a kitten, which was picked up and adopted out through Newtown, so with their assistance we’re not only housing animals, they can be adopted out as well,” she said.
‘Zero cost’
The first selectman credited State Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe, with his assistance in securing a $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant from the state of Connecticut to fund a renovation and expansion of the existing facility, which was built in 1992, to improve animal care and sheltering conditions, provide improved customer service, and bring the shelter up to Connecticut Department of Agriculture standards.
“With the STEAP Grant and police department funds acquired through roadwork the entire facility will be upgraded at zero cost to the taxpayers of the town,” Rooney said.
He said the original estimate from the architect was for an $890,000 project.
“I felt it was exorbitant and had a much lower number in mind,” Rooney said. “We put it out to bid and brought the cost down to around $690,000 with some due diligence to eliminate some things that went beyond what was needed. It was a hands on approach to save money.”
The first selectman said town officials worked closely with engineer, Joseph Salamone on the project, which began just before Thanksgiving and is expected to be completed by March of 2025.
In addition to grant and police funds, the shelter received a $1,000 donation from the Monroe Rotary Club for the comfort of the animals for anything from food and veterinary care to blankets.
Among the improvements from the project are a washer and dryer, room for two to three more runs, new doors and windows, a roof replacement, HVAC replacement, plumbing alterations and electrical and security upgrades. A small, 250 square foot addition to the structure will be included.
Other improvements include a locker room and shower, which Gambino said will come in handy, especially, when an animal control officer is “skunked” during a call.
She said this is vital due to chapter 435 of the Connecticut General Statutes, which says animal control officers’ main responsibilities are to enforce laws pertaining to domestic animals. Most ACOs also take on the task of dealing with sick or injured wildlife, especially if the risk of rabies exposure to humans or pets is involved, according to Gambino.
Improvements for Monroe’s facility will include a quarantine area for animals involved in biting incidents and suspected rabies cases. A quiet isolated space could be used for dogs with a litter of puppies, Gambino said.
The Monroe Animal Shelter impounds about 80 animals a year. Whenever a local animal shelter has a case where it has to take in a lot of animals at once, such as in a hoarding situation, Gambino said animal control agencies from other towns often offer each other mutual aid to house them all.
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