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Animal Welfare Society urges New Milford residents to adopt, volunteer and donate
Summary
The Animal Welfare Society described adoption steps, volunteer opportunities and donation options during a New Milford livestream; the shelter said it has about 18 dogs and 60–65 cats, operates a 'Seniors for Seniors' waiver program, and is participating in Give Local on April 21–22.
During a New Milford livestream on April 15, Diane, a representative of the Animal Welfare Society, outlined how the local shelter handles adoptions, volunteer coordination and donations and urged residents to consider adopting or supporting the nonprofit.
"We take in stray, homeless, abandoned pets in the area and offer them refuge until we can find their loving forever home," Diane said, describing the shelter’s mission and intake process. She said prospective adopters should start by filling out an online adoption application and thinking about their household lifestyle and the type of pet that would fit it. "We look at the pets that we have and we will pair up the proper pet with the person to make sure they go to the right home," she said.
Diane gave operational details intended to help applicants prepare: dogs and cats are spayed or neutered and microchipped before adoption; the shelter currently has "right now, I think we have 18 dogs" and "about 60 to 65 cats right now," she said. She advised adopters to have basic supplies (crate, bedding, toys), a veterinarian identified and, for dog owners, a daytime plan for exercise or a walker.
The shelter also offers structured volunteer roles (dog walking, cat socialization, cleaning) and a monthly thrift shop (second Saturday, seasonally) to raise funds and accept gently used pet items. Diane said volunteers must generally be 16 or older, with exceptions for organized school programs that partner with the shelter.
Diane described a "Seniors for Seniors" program: "if you are a senior human age 60 or above and you adopt a senior pet ages eight or above, we waive the adoption fee," she said, a program designed to match older adopters with senior animals.
On donations and giving, Diane noted the shelter’s website (AWS-shelter.org) includes a donate button that lets donors direct gifts to specific funds (medical, seniors program, general operating) or give in honor or memory. She also mentioned Amazon and Chewy wish lists for sending supplies directly. Diane said donations of unopened pet food may be left at the shelter’s front door (Dodd Road) and staff sort donations each morning.
The shelter is participating in the Connecticut Community Foundation’s Give Local event on April 21–22, a 36-hour regional fundraising period. Diane described prize incentives and tax-deductible status for gifts and said, of the Give Local effort she described, "our goal is $50,000." She urged even small gifts—"every dollar counts"—and noted the shelter also accepts recurring volunteer sign-ups via an online volunteer application and monthly orientation sessions.
Diane estimated the shelter has placed roughly 12,000 pets over its history but noted early recordkeeping was incomplete and called that figure an estimate. She closed by repeating hours for the public (Tuesdays 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Wednesday–Saturday 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.), recommending appointments to avoid crowding and offering to accommodate off‑hour visits where possible.
The shelter’s on-air presentation emphasized practical next steps for residents who want to adopt, volunteer or donate. More information and the adoption and volunteer applications are available at AWS-shelter.org.
