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AN AMAZING DAY AT THE ADOPTION CENTER! Saturday started off with a bang and only got better! On May 3rd, we celebrated all of the hard work and dedication from our wonderful volunteer crew. New volunteer candidates attended a morning orientation, where they learned about the work of the Thomas J. O'Connor Center, our animals, and the tremendous need for volunteers and foster homes. Later, our current volunteers were honored for their numerous hours of service they donate to the care of our animals. Current volunteers received a small token of our appreciation. Three volunteers were recognized for their extraordinary efforts. Lorraine Golba received a gift basket as a special thanks for her 14 long years of dog walking, shelter cleaning, or just about anything else we asked of her. That's dedication! Lauren Zeigler and Helen Kwapisinski were recognized for opening their hearts and homes to the largest number of foster animals this past year. New volunteers were able to spend time getting to know our current group of volunteers. Pizza and snacks were plentiful, and we hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. We don't get to thank our volunteers this way often enough.
As the volunteer celebration wrapped up, the adoption center opened for business at noon. Over 20 animals were adopted into new homes! Thank you to the community for recognizing the value of shelter animals. Thank you also for your patience, as the line to adopt a pet was often 6 people deep. Thank you to my staff...day in and day out, you work tirelessly without complaint, without a break, without losing your cool. You are all amazing and wonderful people and I am so honored and humbled by your efforts, whether donating your time as a volunteer, adopting a homeless animal, or coming to work each and every day with a 'can do' attitude...I am truly grateful for every part of this crazy and chaotic shelter world and the things each of you contribute to make TJO a great place for animals. Barb
THANKS! Thank you to everyone who dropped off supplies for our animals on Saturday, April 19th. Special thanks to Pat Kelly from Rock 102 WAQY for spinning tunes for our visitors. The weather was gorgeous and your generosity continues to amaze us!
DOG PARK FOR THE SPRINGFIELD AREA? DogParksWMA (Dog Parks Western MA) is a group of dedicated and enthusiastic dog owners (and non-owners) who would like to establish safe, off-leash areas for dogs and their people to enjoy in the Springfield area. The Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center is proud to support this important endeavor. Dog parks serve to promote responsible dog ownership, reduce the number of nuisance dog complaints, and bring members of the community together in a safe and educational environment. Click here for more information about dog parks.
DogParksWMA wants your feedback! Please click on the link to fill out their survey. Dog Park Survey
SPECIAL THANKS: A huge thank-you to all of the wonderful folks at the Good Dog Spot in Chicopee and the East Springfield Veterinary Clinic for their continued commitment to our many homeless animals at the TJO adoption center. The Good Dog Spot held a fund-raising challenge with the East Springfield Veterinary Clinic during the holiday season. The Good Dog Spot raised an incredible $500 for TJO animals, and the funds were matched by East Springfield Veterinary Clinic. For our animals, $1000 means we can afford to get broken legs x-rayed, dental work completed, and other diagnostics can now be a reality. Thank you from all of us!
FOSTER HOMES NEEDED: A significant number of animals arrive at the Center not quite ready for the adoption floor. We have animals with minor injuries, or all too often, moms with underage litters. We are most desperate for foster opportunities for moms and young kittens, or underage orphan kittens without their mothers. Less often, there is a need for foster homes for pups with or without their mothers. An animal shelter is not the best place for young animals to grow up. That's why they need a small space in your home for a week, or maybe a month. If you would like to know more about our foster program, please contact the Adoption Center at 781-1484 extension 103. It will make all the difference for an animal in need. Foster care application
