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Ansonia honored Animal Control Officer Jean Roslonowsk Oct. 14. The image is from the city’s Facebook page.
Ansonia officials and residents celebrated a $100,000 renovation and expansion of the city’s animal shelter Oct. 14.
The facelift included a new office, restroom facilities and air conditioning, and soon there will also be more dog runs.
The ceremony included recognition of 20-year Animal Control Officer Jean Roslonowski, who oversaw the renovation project, as well as two young people who donated time, talent and money to the effort.
When Cameron Mas Klein recently turned 8 years old, she opted to request donations for the shelter in lieu of birthday presents. That, combined with her GoFundMe page, garnered $900 worth of donations to the shelter, her mother Darcy Klein said.
“Instead of presents, she wanted to raise money for the shelter,” her mother said.
Her step-grandmother donated the fees the website charged, Darcy said, so every penny of the $900 raised went to the shelter.
Cameron also collected food, blankets and toys for the dogs, her father Robert said.
“I love dogs,” Cameron said.
Camile Ramos decided that the outside of the shelter also needed some attention so for his Eagle Scout project, so he decided to create a “tranquility garden” for pets and their owners to enjoy.
“All my life I’ve loved pets,” said Ramos, 17, a student at St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull. His parents own Pooch Pizazz, a grooming salon in Ansonia.
“I thought I could contribute something nice,” he said. “They are really in need of a tranquility park here.”
Four days of labor and $1,300 in donations later, the park is now located next to the shelter. Several of his fellow scouts also helped him with it, he said.
“I planned it but I couldn’t have done it without all the volunteers,” he said, including those who donated supplies, money and food for the workers.
Ansonia Police Chief Kevin Hale credited Roslonowski’s dedication during the celebration.
“From the beginning of this project, her sole concern has been for the animals,” Hale said. “She didn’t want air conditioning, she didn’t want a bathroom, she didn’t want any creature comforts, and if you had seen this place before and what she had to deal with, and the mayor is right — this place hasn’t changed in decades, so this is long overdue.”
They were able to convince her of the need for an office area, Hale said, which is why there’s a new addition on the shelter.
“Her concern is for the animals but I told her she has to have some comfort herself,” Hale said. “She puts a lot of time into this. She is without question the best animal control officer anywhere in the state and we are so fortunate to have her. She goes so much above and beyond what she is supposed to do and what she is paid for — she is here seven days a week.”
“When you love what you do, it’s not a job,” Roslonowski said. She also was quick to spread the credit for the project and the success of the shelter. “We have had a tremendous amount of donations,” she said, including many from people who have lost a pet.
There’s currently six dogs available for adoption at the shelter, she said, and two more who are at the Ansonia Animal Hospital, which is run by Dr. Tara Nanavati, who is known throughout the Valley for his dedication to animals in need.
The two dogs came in “skin and bones,” Roslonowski said, and are being treated thanks to Nanavati’s generosity. “We could never do it without Dr. Nanavati in allowing us to keep them there at a reasonable price,” she said. “If you ever check out how much it cost, you could see how we can’t do it without him.”
The city is now waiting for the state to approve the funds to add another five kennels to the building, Roslonowski said.
“We are going to be putting on the kennels on the back as soon as the state agrees with us,” she said.
She’s not the only one enjoying the new office space, Roslonowski said. “We put a dog bed in here, so we can have the dogs out,” she said. “It feels like home.”
Mayor David Cassetti said the “dramatic improvements” at the shelter represent the first significant upgrade since it opened decades ago.
“The improvements made represent a long-term commitment by the city and an understanding of the shelter’s importance to the community and our animals,” said Cassetti, who describes himself an animal lover and the owner of three dogs, two cats and a 12-year-old turtle named Peanut.
