Friends Leave $2 Million For Animal Care

By Kendra Bobowick

Newtown’s animals will soon benefit from a roughly $2 million bequest from two late residents and friends, Frances Hair and Hazel Bouchard.

Town Director of Finance Bob Tait explained that the money could have gone for a new facility, if one was not built yet, but since a new pound is almost ready to open, he said this week the balance will “support the new shelter above and beyond the budget.”

Costs for veterinary care and supplies are among other uses for the funds, including “anything to do with cats and dogs,” he confirmed. According to the bequest, the money is to be used for “the benefit of animals, in particular, cats and dogs.”

Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason is “absolutely” happy to learn about a $2 million bequest to the town on behalf of animal welfare.

“Money always helps,” she said. “It will give our dogs a chance…when they’re here for awhile this becomes their home and to be placed in a home takes time.”

“With that money we will have a trainer working with them,” she added. Dogs often need time to settle in at a new home, she said. “When dogs are adopted out they’re hesitant and nervous and have things to work out.”

To have funds for training and helping the dogs acclimate to new homes leaves her “ thrilled,” Ms Mason said. “It’s a lot of money and a good thing. I am happy for the animals, the dogs and the cats. Hopefully this will make it easier on the town.”

“These dogs do need some training and we have an excellent trainer and things will work out even more,” she said.

After the town budget failed during the second referendum on May 15, she is aware, “We have to keep the budget down, so this is a relief.”

The dogs deserve a chance, she said.

“They once had a house and owners and now they don’t, so it’s [about] getting them into a new environment and we feel we’re able to do that now,” said Ms Mason.

Frances Hair was 98 when she died in April 2008. The widow of Val Hair, she had been a resident of Sandy Hook for more than 30 years at the tmie of her death. She was owner and operator, with her late husband, of the former Pine View Nursing Home in Monroe.

Hazel Bouchard died this past January. She was 78, and had long been the proprietor of Hazel’s Liquor Store.

Both women have been laid to rest at Newtown Village Cemetery.