Zeke & Herod | Photo by Jack Schmidt

Pet LifeNewsletter of the Connecticut Humane Society Fall 2015

Executive Director’s Desk . 2

Meet the Newest Faces at CHS . 3

What a Day in the Park! . 4

Clear the Shelters Success . 4

- 2 -

Power & ResponsibilityBy Gordon Willard, Executive DirectorThe phrase “with great power, comes great responsibility” was attributed to Voltaire in “Oeuvres de Voltaire, Volume 48.”

He was speaking to the abuse of power that he saw everywhere. The phrase was later attributed to Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt and then used in the Spiderman movie to remind Spiderman that his special powers must be used for good. As I reflect upon its meaning, I believe it tells us that you should do good deeds when you have the opportunity.

In thinking about the phrase in terms of the “responsibility” of the Connecticut Humane Society, I am reminded that everything we and other organizations accomplish is for, and should be for, our companion animals. The “power” part of the phrase comes into play in that CHS, as the largest and oldest animal protection nonprofit in the state, has influence and capacity when it comes to advocating for animals.

For so many years, every animal sheltering organization in the country allocated all of their resources to alleviate the problem of too many animals and too few homes. We were all wrapped up in finding a solution to that one huge challenge. Would it

surprise you to learn that 40 years ago, the Connecticut Humane Society was handling more than 45,000 animals each and every year? By contrast today, all of the animal control departments in the entire state handle under 20,000 companion animals annually.

What happened to create such change? We really do not know for sure, but it’s clear that many things aligned to create a tipping point in the northeast. Today fewer litters are born, leading to the opportunity to do more good deeds beyond spay/neuter.

The “Clear the Shelter” event on August 15 was a good example of doing more good. That event was all about moving pets from shelters into homes. It made no difference which shelter because this event was about pets in all shelters. This was one of what I hope will be many united ventures between all those who care about companion animals. At the Connecticut Humane Society, we understand it is our responsibility to foster such collaborations ensuring more pets lives get saved.

You won’t want to miss this year’s Gala Auction on Saturday, November 7 at the Aqua Turf in Southington. Amazing live and silent auctions, dinner stations, cash bar, music, and Fund the Pets. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Alpha Dog Marketing.

For tickets visit CThumane.org

Save the Date – November 7

Pet LifePublished by the Connecticut Humane Societycthumane.org

Humane Society OfficersEllen Sharon, President Gretchen Dale, Vice President LuAnn Giunta, Vice President William A. Haines, DVM, Secretary Leslie White, CFA, Treasurer

Executive TeamGordon G. Willard, Executive Director Carla Francalangia, CPA, Chief Financial Officer Barbara DeBellis Naugle, MS, Development Director Theresa Geary, Director of Operations Jennifer Adams, SHRM-SCP, SPHR , Director, Human Resources Janice Marzano, Executive Assistant

SheltersNewington Headquarters 701 Russell Road Newington, CT 06111 (800) 452-0114 Chris Burgess, District Manager

Waterford Shelter 169 Old Colchester Road Quaker Hill, CT 06375 (860) 442-8583 Brandon Guy, District Manager

Westport Shelter 455 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 (203) 227-4137 Bliss Kern, District Manager

Fox Memorial Clinic701B Russell Road Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-4503 Connie Mercer, Practice Manager

FOLLOW US ON:

- 2 -

- 2 - - 3 -Support homeless pets by donating today, cthumane.org/donate.

Meet the newest faces at the Connecticut Humane Society

Connecticut Humane Society Appoints New Board MemberThe Connecticut Humane Society announces the appointment of Peter Cable to the Board of Directors. Peter is a retired physicist with 50 years of experience in underwater acoustics and sonar research and development. His most significant achievement is the invention of a sonar device that is now back-fitted onto US Navy surface ships. He worked for the Navy for 23 years and went on to BBN Corporation and then Applied Physical Sciences. He was also an adjunct professor at the university level with positions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Connecticut College.

His relationship with CHS began when his alma maters began reaching out to him to discuss major gifts and legacy bequests. He has always loved pets and is interested in animal welfare so he decided to name CHS in his will.

Then he started thinking about getting to know us a little better through direct contact. In 2013 Peter became an

active volunteer in the Waterford shelter as a dog walker and cat cuddler. Eager to continue building the relationship and a balance between hands-on work and advocacy, Peter accepted a position on the CHS Legislative Committee in early 2014.

Peter’s interests outside of the organization include watercolor painting, hiking, camping, music and travel.

CHS looks forward to working closely with Peter on many new projects and initiatives.

CT Humane Welcomes New CFOThe Connecticut Humane Society would like to welcome Carla Francalangia, CPA to the position of Chief Financial Officer. She comes to the Society with the experience of several leadership positions in both for-profit and non-

profit organizations. Most recently she was the CFO for the Joseph Merritt & Company, a printing service. Prior to that, Carla was the Director of Finance for the New

Britain Museum of Art where she played an integral role in their capital campaign and renovation project which spanned several years beginning in 2002.

Carla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Babson College in Wellesley, MA and also went on to earn her MBA from Babson.

She was inspired to seek a position at CHS because of her deep love for her dog Max, a 14-year-old German shepherd who she adopted from a friend. She was motivated to, “do what she could to help pets in need at one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the country.”

We look forward to having Carla enrich the organization with her knowledge, expertise and talent for many years.

- 4 - Support homeless pets by donating today, cthumane.org/donate.- 4 -Support homeless pets by donating today, cthumane.org/donate.

What a Day in the Park!The Connecticut Humane Society, in partnership with the Meriden Rotary Foundation, is pleased to announce that this year’s Central CT Pet Fair, Dog Walk & 5K on June 27 raised over $22,000.

On a nice cool day, over 3,000 people participated in the various activities at scenic Hubbard Park in Meriden. The 5K and Dog Walk were followed by the free Pet Fair including; vendors, food court, doggie fashion show, police K9 demos, dog obedience & agility demos, prize drawings, adoptable pets from the Connecticut Humane Society and area rescue groups, and more.

The top individual fundraisers were David Jagrosse, Jan Cranney and Michelle Hamed. The top three fundraising teams were: Baxter’s Friends, Love for Lauren, and the Crate Escape.

WE WOuld likE TO THank Our SpOnSOrS and SuppOrTErS in THE COMMuniTy:

Alpha Dog Marketing, Nutmeg State Credit Union , East Side Veterinary Clinic, Lake Financial Services, Bayer Animal Health, Labrada Nutrition, Premier Pet Wash, National Personal Training Institute, ConnectiCare, Anthony Perez, Accurate Tree Service of Manchester, Tarlov Financial Group, Law Office of John D. Ivers, The Bradley Home, Salon Nathaniel, New Concepts Plumbing/Heat, Web Solutions, Mahon - Quinn & Mahon, Isaac & Maki Attorneys, Marketing Graphics, Roman Oil, Brenner - Saltzman - Wallman LLP, Danby’s, Law Office of Bruce Fontanella, Carter Law Office, Meriden YMCA, Fleet Feet Sports - West Hartford, Crystal Rock Water Company, Boys & Girls Clubs of Meriden, City of Meriden - Parks Dept., Crossfit Triton - Wallingford, Elements Massage – Meriden, Shiner’s Signs, Malibu Fitness, and Studio 17 Salon - Granby for their generosity.

Clear the Shelters, a Huge Success!On August 15, the Connecticut Humane Society and NBC CT came together for a special “Partners in a Caring Community” event – Clear the Shelters. NBC CT Traffic Reporter, animal lover and adoption advocate, Heidi Voight was the face of an event that succeeded in saving many pets’ lives.

Clear the Shelters began under a different name in Texas last year with the NBC affiliate partnering with their local shelter for a day where publicity would be focused on pet adoptions and the plight of homeless animals. The event was an overwhelming success with thousands of pets finding the homes of their dreams. The success of this one event inspired NBC

to make the event national and include as many shelters across the country as possible.

The Connecticut Humane Society was thrilled to accept the role of lead animal welfare organization when approached by NBC CT about this partnership in January of 2015. After many months of planning and working with our friends at NBC CT and in animal control and animal rescue, the event went off without a hitch.

Saving pets’ lives is a community effort. It takes collaboration across all groups to achieve the most success. Thank you to NBC CT, Heidi Voight and all our partners in animal welfare for working together to make this great event possible!

Photos courtesy of Peter Wnek Photography

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT