In this three-part series about local animal organizations, residents will learn about Newtown volunteers who choose to help the lives of animals in need.

Since being founded in 1974, Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS) has been compassionately improving the lives of thousands of animals.

DAWS is a nonprofit, no-kill, animal organization located on 147 Grassy Plain Street in Bethel. They specialize in pet adoptions and foster programs, as well as rescue programs where they save cats and dogs from owner abandonment or from being euthanized by high-kill shelters.

A unique feature about DAWS is that they have an onsite clinic at their facility that provides high quality medical services to animals in the shelter and foster programs. The clinic is also available to other partnered animal rescue organizations, local families in need of low cost spay/neutering services, and is used for their Trap-Neuter-Return program to control the feral cat population.

Having the asset of an onsite clinic ensures that every cat and dog adopted from DAWS is spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations, which is extremely helpful considering DAWS matches more than 500 pets with families each year.

Newtown resident and Operations Director Teryl Flynn has been working with DAWS for over a year and a half. After originally coming to the shelter looking to adopt, she was impressed with how DAWS was run and became a volunteer. Now that she is a staff member, she works closely with the clinic and shelter managers, as well as the group of DAWS volunteers.

"We have about 200 active volunteers at the moment and 14 staff," said Ms Flynn. "They are amazing. Many of these people work full time jobs. They get home from work, then come in at 6 o'clock at night and spend their time socializing with the cats or walking the dogs."

"The dog walkers are here every day of the year - rain, snow, sleet, sunshine, holidays. So, even if the shelter is closed for a holiday, the dogs still have to get out, and need people here every day."

Various Roles For Volunteers

One of those dog walkers is Jack McGuigan, who started volunteering at DAWS last summer. Recently, he has taken on the role of an adoption counselor for the dog program, which is a position that helps match dogs with families.

Mr McGuigan explained, "The whole goal is to find homes that are appropriate for the dogs. I think that is really important as an adoption counselor. We are the line of defense to make sure these dogs are getting into good homes."

Some volunteers choose to work in both the dog and cat program, like Newtown resident Quinn Murphy who has been volunteering with DAWS for two months.

"I always wanted to work with animals and have rescued animals," Ms Murphy said. "I like being able to help socialize the animals at DAWS, especially the dogs who have a lot of energy. It is nice to see them get an application and go to a home. It feels good to help - it's rewarding."

Karen Troche, who has been volunteering for DAWS for three years as a dog walker and foster for cats, shares a similar view about seeing the animals get adopted.

"Many are frightened, so you try to make them feel comfortable and not so fearful. To see them with a family is huge," said Ms Troche.

Newtown resident Laura Smolen originally came to DAWS earlier this year looking to adopt a companion after her 18-year-old cat, who she affectionately called "the Great Scoob," died.

"After spending time playing with the cats that were ready for adoption, I fell in love with a gentle black kitten named Peter," Ms Smolen said.

While at DAWS she was impressed by how the shelter was run.

"I was so happy to see how well cared for the cats were, how clean DAWS was, and how friendly the volunteers were," she continued. "I wanted to be a part of it."

Since adopting her cat from DAWS, Ms Smolen was inspired to support the organization by dedicating time each week to volunteer in the cat program. For the last three months, she has "enjoyed playing, brushing, and petting the cats to help make them feel loved."

Taylor Daniels, a Newtown resident, was encouraged to help at DAWS from a friend already in the cat program.

She has been volunteering since last October and said, "The most gratifying part about volunteering with DAWS is every animal has continuous care and love. The volunteers at DAWS really have such huge hearts and are truly focused on the well-being of these animals.

"We all love these animals as our own," Ms Daniels continued. "We are all aware of each animal's personality traits and make sure they are comfortable and are adopted into the appropriate homes with the right people. We are sad to see them go, but glad that they received a forever home."

These dedicated volunteers at DAWS show just how important their work is helping animals get adopted.

Volunteers at DAWS have to be 18 years or older and complete a volunteer orientation class to work directly with the animals. The next orientation is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, from 10 am to 12 pm, in the community room at DAWS. There, volunteers will be trained how to properly care for the animals and take a tour of the shelter, as well as learn about the variety of volunteer jobs DAWS offers.

For those under 18 years old, youth can help by holding donation drives. Children who donate to DAWS can even set up an appointment where they will receive a special certificate and get their picture taken with a cat or dog.

DAWS has a donation wish list of items on their website, including dog and cat food, as well as shelter items like paper towels, bleach, and laundry detergent.

Operations Director Ms Flynn said, "We are always grateful for donations of all kinds."

Open house hours for those looking to adopt from Danbury Animal Welfare Society are Monday through Friday, from 6 to 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 2 to 4 pm.

To learn more about DAWS and how to volunteer call 203-744-3297 or visit daws.org/volunteer.