Animal shelter has 66 days to find homes for pets

Facility still houses about 33 cats and dogs

MONROE — After more than two decades of connecting pets and owners, a local animal shelter is shutting down, the shelter announced in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

Formerly known as the Animal Adoption Network, the SPCA of Connecticut at 359 Spring Hill Road is officially closing on May 6, the release said. By that date, all remaining furry residents — approximately 13 cats and 20 dogs — must vacate the premises.

Those that do not find a home in time could be “at high risk of being euthanized,” an unnamed volunteer said in the release.

To prevent euthanasia, staff and volunteers are asking community members and animal lovers to consider adopting a pet or making a donation to the shelter. Per the shelter’s GoFundMe page, adoption fees will be waived for approved adopters.

“We are doing everything we can to find these deserving dogs and cats a home, but we desperately need help!” a shelter spokesperson said in the release. “Many of these animals are in perfect health, are socialized and are highly adoptable. Some of them, while loving and affectionate, are older or have medical conditions.”

Still others are “very shy” or have other behavioral special needs, according to a Facebook post by the shelter. Donations will help cover the cost of securing placement at other shelters for less adoptable pets, the GoFundMe

page said.

Over the years, the Monroe SPCA has helped thousands of pets find homes, according to the release. Explaining the decision to close, staff reported financial constraints have made it “impossible” to continue operations, the release said. The Spring Hill Road property has been foreclosed and is scheduled to be auctioned off May 6.

“Please take a moment to imagine what it is like to care for an animal every day: to see their eyes light up when they see you, to know which treats they prefer, to pray daily they find their forever home, and to make sure that they have their favorite toy at night,” the shelter said in the Facebook post.

“And now those lights in their eyes may fade one last time — without ever going home.”

Anyone interested in supporting the shelter should visit spcact.org to donate or view a full list of adoptable pets. To schedule a meet and greet, contact the SPCA at 475-290-8525 or spcaofctmonroe@gmail.com. caroline.tien@hearst.com