Calendar to benefit animal shelter

By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter recently kicked off its 2015 calendar sale with the hope of raising enough money to bring a gas generator to the pound.
The calendars, which have been on sale for $14.50 each since December, feature a different breed each month. The month of December features a collage of dogs that have been adopted in the last two years.
Trish Ulin, president of Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter, said the fundraising goal is $1 200, and so far the group has raised $550. Ulin said installing a gas generator is pivotal, especially since the pound can lose heat in the winter if the power goes out for a long period of time.
“They have no alternate source of power,” said Ulin. “It’s very difficult after dark to take care of dogs.”
Starting just several years ago, Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter is an incorporated rescue group that aims to help dogs find a home by posting pictures of them on Facebook or on PetFinder.
Between bake sales and other events, most of the group’s past funds has helped supply Kuranda beds to the entire pound when Friends of Bristol first began and paying vet bills for dogs in the pound. The group has helped pay for a dog’s surgery, preventive medicines and vaccines, as well as grooming.
Ulin said the pound takes in about 300 dogs a year, and many of them are just lost and return home to heir owners. She said there tends to be about 100 rescues and adoptions a year.
“We dedicated ourselves to getting dogs out…and making the public more aware of the pound,” said Ulin, adding a long-term goal is to have a new building for the pound.
Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter’s mission began when Ulin heard about a dog named Roman on Facebook who suffered from severe kennel stress, as he lost a significant amount of weight and was in danger of being put to sleep. But Ulin said luckily Roman’s life was saved after the Meriden Humane Society rescued him. Today, Roman has gained his weight back, and has been adopted.
“The change in him was amazing,” said Ulin. “He’s doing very well now.”
Ulin added that rescue organizations, such as Connecticut Humane Society, Thank Dog Rescue, and Soul Mutts Rescue CT play a huge role in saving dogs.
“We love seeing a rescue organization take a dog out of the pound because we know the dog will get fully vetted and the new owner will be chosen carefully, since rescues have the time and resources that the pound doesn’t have,” said Ulin, adding that two dogs are currently available for adoption .
All proceeds of the fundraiser will benefit the project. To order a calendar, send a check to Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter at P.O. Box 1055, Bristol, CT 06010 or order on Paypal with friendsbristolanimalshelter@gmail.com.