FRIENDS OF THE BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER

Description

Since 2007 the Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter have been providing support for the health and wellbeing of the animals in the care of the local shelter.

Forming the Friends organization was just the beginning of involvement with the shelter. In 2008, the Friends committed time and energy to sphere head the campaign to build a state-of-the-art shelter in Bristol to replace the one that was barely functional due to size, age, and the fact that it was slowly sinking into the terrain. This initiative included work to pass a bond referendum. In late 2008, the bond passed with an 80% approval and over a period of a few years, the Friends raised in excess of 1 million dollars to add to that bond and to make the shelter a reality. In 2014, the new Bristol Animal Shelter opened.

As a municipal shelter, the work of this shelter is a collaboration with the Town of Bristol, The Bristol Police Department Animal Control Division, and the Friends. In addition to contributing funds for veterinary care, the Friends also serve to train and oversee volunteers who support the work of the Animal Control Officers. They offer educational sessions for school children and for the community in the shelter’s Humane Education Center. All of the Friends funding comes through individual donations, fundraising activities, and grants.