RIDGEFIELD, CT — Since Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue opened its doors in 2005, the organization has placed more than 5,000 neglected and unwanted cats and dogs in homes throughout town and the surrounding area.
But the engine driving the operation is a temperamental machine that must be fueled constantly.
There are only two full-time and five part-time staff members at ROAR. Everyone else — the dog walkers, cat socializers, housekeepers, launderers, office help, and chauffeurs to the veterinarian — is a volunteer, and many of them are seasonal. ROAR currently keeps over 150 volunteers busy, and the group is “always looking for more,” according to Donna Donigi-Gale, a member of the group’s Board of Directors.
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The generosity of businesses in Ridgefield and surrounding communities has been vital to the group’s success. The Blue Buffalo company in Wilton provides the rescue with food. Local Subaru dealerships have also been extraordinarily supportive, Donigi-Gale said, with the car company one of the largest donors to pet adoption causes in the area.
ROAR also relies upon smaller donations, and handles them a bit differently from other rescues, or even other charitable organizations. Donors are asked to specify how they want their largesse directed. Options include the Jessa Fund, which assists pet owners experiencing financial hardships with various veterinary services, and the Jamie Fund, used specifically for providing veterinary services and medical supplies to the animals at the shelter. ROAR maintains a wish list of items that are frequently needed, and will also assist “junior philanthropists” to establish lemonade stands and bake sales for the benefit of the rescues.
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Where Do All These Dogs Come From?
Although there are many local surrenders, the largest influx of rescues come from rescue operations in the South, often from Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. In those states, it is common for residents to abandon their pets on the side of the road.
“There’s one place on the highway (in Texas) and everybody knows to go and drop your animals there. And then the rescues go out, and they get them. Many of them will take care of the animals until they’re fit to be moved. And then they’re transported up here to the North,” Donigi-Gale said. “I always say that rescue is the worst and the best of humanity.”.
ROAR is currently taking in about 250 animals a year. Donigi-Gale said the rescue maxed out at about 400 a few years back.
“It’s all about how fast we can get them adopted,” she told Patch.
That’s where having enough animal-loving volunteers on speed dial becomes crucial. The free food and corporate donations help keep the rescue’s costs down and the doors open, but don’t move the ball down the field.
“The only way we can grow the number of animals we can bring in is to depend on fosters,” Donigi-Gale said.
In addition to just freeing up space inside the shelter, local families who temporarily foster pets actually make them more adoptable.
“Research shows that animals that get out of the shelter, even for short periods of time, have a better chance of being adopted. They’re more socialized,” Donigi-Gale said.
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The rescue’s population is now about 50-50 dogs and cats. Cats typically move into new homes more quickly and with less effort than dogs, but ROAR has recently assisted law enforcement with some “hoarding situations” that have kept its population evenly split.
ROAR provides food, cat litter, dog training and all veterinary care for the fostered animals. More information about how to become a foster family is on the rescue’s website here.
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