Week of 06/28/09 - Trees removed to make way for construction equipment and topography changes.
CHECK THIS PAGE OFTEN FOR UPDATES ON THE REBUILDING PROCESS OF OUR NEW SHELTER!
Animal Rescue Foundation, Inc.
A non-profit, non-destroy shelter for abandoned, abused, and neglected cats and dogs.
Saving lives since 1971.
Shelter Address:
366 Main Street - Route 6
Terryville, CT 06786
We are pleased to inform our members, volunteers, and supporters that on June 25th our President, Kathy Johnson, signed the closing documents to purchase the property we have leased for over 25 years!
This is a momentous occasion for our organization. It is a testament to the dedication of all our volunteers who saw the opportunity we were presented with after the fire that destroyed our shelter last November.
We are forever grateful to the Skempris family for their decision to sell the property. Ultimately, their generosity recognizes the importance of our work and the passion we have for saving animals. With this good news comes even more good news...we have already started the rebuilding process by hiring an architect, engineering firm, and general contractor. All of this was on hold until the purchase was final and now we can start the next step. We will be working on the building plans over the next few months for the new shelter and hope to be back in operation in 2010. We will keep everyone up to date as we move through the rebuilding process so be sure to check back often for updates.
Week of 07/05/09 - Sheds removed to allow construction equipment access to future building areas.
Week of 08/02/09 - Architect is creating the building plans for our new shelter! We will post the initial sketches of the building as soon as they become available.
Bulldozer and dumpster on site at the end of November waiting for the go ahead!
December 18, 2009 we got the "Go Ahead"! ARF demolition begins and will continue for the next several weeks, weather permitting. With a bittersweet wave and a tear we say our goodbyes to the old building and anxiously await the birth of our NEW and much needed shelter.
Rendering of the new facility
It is with tremendous pride that I have the honor of making the announcement that on February 11, 2010 the Animal Rescue Foundation was given final approval by the Plymouth Planning and Zoning Department for the new ARF Shelter site plans.
Plans for the shelter were underway immediately following the fire that occurred November 23, 2008. An ARF building committee was quickly formed and we were fortunate enough to be chaired by ARF's longtime legal attorney, Rene Martineau. The committee consisted of Joyce Corr, Jonathan Gilbode, Harry Schofield, Joe Ouimet, and me.I know that many people were anxious to find out what was going on during this long design process. I'd like to thank everyone for being so patient. As you see, it was worth the wait. Special thanks go to Bob Green, Al Kuncas, Jimmy Zappone, Clarence Atkinson, Khara Dobbs, ARF's #1 hometown supporter, Mayor Vincent Festa Jr., and to everyone that has donated, volunteered, and supported ARF during the rebuilding process.
Because of you, ARF will be leading the way in the Connecticut area with a state of the art shelter. There is nothing more valuable than the knowledge of 30 plus years of experience, a devoted staff of volunteers with never ending drive, and you, our ARF supporters. For this I am humbly grateful.
Kathy Johnson
