By Geri Rhoades
Almost 50% of Connecticut residents own a pet, and New Canaan is a strong contributor to that statistic. We are a pet-loving town. Visit Spencer’s Run any day, and you’ll see the happy pups frolicking in the beauty of Waveny Park. As you stroll down Main Street, Elm Street, and other downtown locations, you’ll often see pets window shopping with their owners. What you won’t see, however, are many stray animals, and there’s a reason for that.
For 40 years, Claudia Weber and her dedicated team of volunteers at Strays & Others (SAO) have tirelessly worked to keep homeless and unwanted animals safe, happy, and off the streets. Fifteen volunteers contribute over 100 hours a week to care for as many as 50 animals housed in their shelter, seeking donations, handling administrative tasks, and managing everything necessary to keep this small non-profit going.
The story of how Strays & Others began is typical of many grassroots efforts: one small miracle at a time. If you’ve lived in our town for more than 40 years, you may remember a tragic fire in 1983, which claimed the lives of two older adults and 20 of their 40 cats. The 20 surviving cats were left to roam the neighborhood, and according to Claudia, the Humane Society intended to pick them up and euthanize them.
Claudia, a nearby resident and lifelong animal lover, refused to let that happen. With the help of her neighbors, she caught one cat after another, transforming her father’s kitchen into a haven for these cats and a nursery for those giving birth. At that time, there were no animal organizations like SAO in Fairfield County; kill shelters were common.
As word spread, requests for help poured in, whether it was to pick up 15 cats abandoned by a recent mover, help rehome a gerbil whose little owner became allergic, assist a family of bunnies, or save a dog from euthanasia that someone left tied to a pole.
After a couple of years, it was suggested Claudia establish a non-profit to help raise funds to meet the growing needs. With letters to the State, a lot of rigmarole, as she would say, and support from the community, she obtained a 501(c)3 status in 1985.
“When we started, over 300 unwanted and homeless animals were roaming New Canaan. Through much effort, we got that number down to 75, and now we’re around 30-50. It’s not only about saving and rehoming the animals; it’s about spaying and neutering to help solve the problem,” says Claudia.
The organization has relied on the kindness of others to address its transient issues. When they outgrew their small kitchen, and foster homes were filled, a local resident offered them their house for 10 years. For a brief period, they operated out of Strawberry Hill Animal Hospital. Subsequently, for the next 20 years, they rented from another local resident who provided them with a small space in their home with a separate entrance.
Covid-19 posed significant challenges, as many volunteers hesitated to work in confined spaces. Compounding the issue, the landlord sold the house, donations decreased, and the organization lacked an endowment.
Although they have managed to regain stability, Strays & Others’ assets and donations pale in comparison to those of larger area organizations. Every dollar that comes in is quickly spent. For context, PAWS has millions in assets and receives millions in donations yearly. The CT Humane Society has over $100 million in assets. It raises a similar amount yearly, while the ASPCA raises even more.
You may wonder why a local rescue shelter is necessary when larger ones exist in nearby towns. According to the ASPCA, over seven million animals enter the United States shelter system each year, and anywhere from one to almost three million are euthanized due to overcrowding and a lack of adoptive homes. Some shelters are forced to euthanize animals if they aren’t rehomed in 72 hours.
Strays & Others is unique in its ability to focus on saving lives, placing pets for adoption, and spaying and neutering to address future issues while adhering to a strict no-kill policy. They take in cases that other shelters can’t, and New Canaan Animal Control does not pick up stray cats unless they are wounded or sick. SAO’s Sanctuary Program allows them to keep animals that are difficult to place for their entire lives. Floyd, named after Floyd Mayweather for his excellent right hook, has been with them for three years. Additionally, they work to free the streets from the dangers of uncontrolled populations of unvaccinated pets, providing a significant health benefit to New Canaan.
The demand for their services continues to grow, presenting increasingly difficult challenges for SAO. With no paid staff, high rent and veterinary bills, and no permanent home of their own, this small all-volunteer organization struggles to keep up, let alone expand. Last year, they received over 10,000 emails asking for help.
Strays & Others has reached a crucial turning point. While it has been successful and is a solid organization, 40 years is a long time for a small group of volunteers to keep our community safe from unhealthy and unwanted animals. The conversation goes silent when asked what will happen to Strays & Others if they can’t get to the next level. “We must succeed. The demand for our services keeps growing. Securing funds for a part-time executive director to ensure we meet the community’s future needs would be a game changer. We also need to diversify our fundraising efforts, improve our grant writing, and obtain financial advice,” Claudia adds.
In addition to financial support, Strays & Others needs gently used blankets, paper towels, garbage bags, soap detergents, baby blankets, small quilts, and flat sheets. Additionally, they are looking for more volunteers to enhance their efforts. Foster homes, which play a vital role in their mission, are always in demand.
Over the past 40 years, Strays & Others has placed over 5,000 animals, including a few horses, achieving an impressive lifetime rehoming match of 95%. Being a local organization allows them to work closely with potential adoptive families. It has also helped tens of thousands more through education and referrals. However, limited resources mean they cannot respond to every call or assist every animal, leading to difficult decisions that weigh heavily on their volunteers.
Please support Strays & Others, a small community organization with a big heart for furry friends-and even a gerbil or two! If you’re interested in helping in any way, please reach out to straysandothers@hotmail.com.
