The Ansonia Animal Shelter needs a new roof, bigger pens for the dogs, and better ventilation in the dog runs.
The information comes from a March 16 inspection of the facility by the state Department of Agriculture’s Animal Control Division.
Mayor David Cassetti said he knows the aging facility needs work, which is why his budget proposed giving $30,000 to the shelter for repairs.
Cassetti said his brother was the dog warden at the facility 40 years ago.
“It hasn’t changed since then,” Cassetti said.
The state inspection — the first one since 2009 — didn’t turn up any eye-opening issues (it’s clean and sanitary, the animals are well-cared for), but the building on North Division Street is clearly showing its age.
The state inspector warned the city that the roof needs to be replaced, cracked cement blocks need to be sealed and that the outdoor runs and indoor pens are about 6 inches too narrow, per state regulations.
According to Jean Roslonowski, the city’s animal control officer, the shelter needs even more work.
She said the heating and air conditioning systems need to be updated, the lighting needs to be improved, and the building needs to be expanded to fit more kennels.
Technically, the violations cited by the state could ultimately result in fines or closure, the state inspection warns. But that’s highly unlikely to happen because the facility is well-run, and the city isn’t ignoring the issue.
Just last year the Department of Public Works rebuilt walls inside the kennels, DPW Director Douglas Novack said.
Ultimately, the city wants to expand the facility to house cats as well as dogs.
Click here to read a previous story about roaming cats in Ansonia.
While the mayor supports allocating $30,000 for repairs, there’s no guarantee the Aldermen will allocate the money.
The cash-strapped city is currently drafting a budget for next year, and the Aldermen get final say on how much money will be spent.
Cassetti’s office couldn’t pinpoint precisely how the $30,000 will be used at the shelter, assuming the Aldermen OK the money.
“We probably will need a little bit more, but I wanted to get it going this year in this budget,” Cassetti said.
In the meantime, people can donate to the animal shelter any time by purchasing from their Amazon wish list or by calling 203 – 410-7716.
