Sunday, February 19, 2012

Max loaned out his "dog house" to Stop & Shop in Windsor for our new donation box.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

Dog Pound Relocation Moving Forward

The town council has approved the appropriation of $45,000 to fund appraisals, surveys, conceptual design and other tasks related to the relocation of the town dog pound.
The pound, located on Mechanic Street behind town hall, was built 30 years ago and officials have been looking for an alternative site to care for unlicensed and stray dogs since 2002.
Over the past several years town officials have considered several possible sites in town, but have not found a suitable location. The town council in 2011 also considered entering into a lease agreement with the town of Windsor Locks to share its facility but decided against it.
Subsequently, the decision was made to try again to find a suitable location in town. The money appropriated Monday by the council will be used to complete property appraisals, site surveys and assessments and preliminary concept designs.
The preliminary concept includes 12 interior runs and kennels, a storage area, a small office, lobby and restrooms.
The new facility, which is expected to cost more than $400,000 to build plus the cost of the land, will also allow the town to move forward with plans to develop rental housing on the current site of the pound.
Mayor Donald Trinks said Tuesday that development of the current site can't happen without a new pound.
"That pound needs to be replaced and relocated," Trinks said.
Town Manager Peter Souza said Tuesday that there was an outside chance that construction could begin this year, but added that 2013 is more likely. Souza said he has identified three possible sites for the new pound as well.
Debbie Samson, a member of the Friends of the Windsor Dog Pound, said Tuesday that her group, which has been advocating for Windsor, which has nearly 3,000 licensed animals, to keep it's own pound, appreciates Souza's efforts.
"We're all working together," Samson said. "We're all going to do what's in the best interest of the pets."