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The 9 Best Animal Shelters in Connecticut!

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If you are considering giving a cat or dog a loving forever home, you might consider adopting a shelter animal from one of Connecticut’s best animal shelters. These animal shelters are primarily volunteer organizations that are run by those who simply adore animals and want to ensure their welfare. Supporting an animal shelter through adoption, donations, or volunteering is an excellent way to contribute to the community and prevent animal cruelty.


New Haven Animal Shelter, New Haven, CT

This shelter is the second largest municipal animal shelter in the state of Connecticut. The New Haven Animal Shelter takes in approximately 1,400 cats and dogs every year, and draws 3,200 visits, according to its website. Visit their site to see what dogs and cats are up for adoption, and maybe you’ll find a furry friend to bring home.  

The Animal Haven, North Haven, CT

The Animal Haven strives to provide a haven to pets needing temporary care before finding their forever home. They promote the humane treatment of animals and have been finding homes for pets since 1948. All their animals can be found on Petfinder and they encourage those looking to adopt to visit the pet first to make sure of the match.

The Simon Foundation, Bloomfield, CT

With a state-of-the-art facility for dog training, grooming, animal rescue, and adoption, the Simon Foundation provides a safe, caring environment for pets. They strive for permanent placements and verify references of those looking to adopt to ensure a safe home for the pet. Prior to adoption, all animals are spayed or neutered, chipped, and appropriately cared for by their on-call vet.

Connecticut Humane Society, Multiple locations

In operation as a private charity since 1881, the Connecticut Humane Society is proud to place over 95 percent of its sheltered animals into forever homes. Their aim is to care for companion animals through prevention of animal cruelty, veterinary care, education, and to enrich the lives of pets and their owners through their adoption services.

Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, Branford, CT

With the support of the Town of Branford and numerous volunteers, the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter rehabilitates animals for placement in new homes. They also offer educational programs to help the public best care for their pets.

Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Danbury, CT

Danbury Animal Welfare Society, or DAWS, has been working to improve the lives of pets in Connecticut since 1974. Their mission is to promote responsible pet ownership while ending animal overpopulation through educational community programs. Volunteer opportunities are available for socializing cats and dogs as well as fostering.

PAWS, Norwalk, CT

PAWS works to rescue and re-home cats and dogs. Their best program is the PAWS Pensions Plan, which aims to provide forever homes for senior dogs and senior cats by waving the adoption fee and providing annual veterinarian appointments for the adopted seniors.

Dog Star Rescue, Canton, CT

Dog Star Rescue is a volunteer society with the mission of saving abandoned, sheltered, or surrender dogs and find them their forever homes. They also find foster homes for dogs prior to being adopted. Dogs available for adoption can be found on their website or by visiting their site.

Forgotten Felines, Westbrook, CT

Forgotten Felines is a private shelter that rescues homeless cats and kittens. They work to find loving homes for cats and prior to adoption, they spay or neuter the animals, thoroughly check their health, and give them age appropriate vaccinations.

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