Valley Shore Animal Welfare League

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Valley Shore Animal Welfare League

Valley Shore Animal Welfare League (VSAWL) is a non-profit animal shelter established in 1972

11/14/2024

Valley Shore Animal Welfare League is excited to share the following announcement:

TWO CONNECTICUT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS UNITE TO STRENGTHEN ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICES

WESTBROOK, CT, Nov. 13, 2024 — In a shared commitment to advancing animal welfare in Connecticut, Valley Shore Animal Welfare League (VSAWL) and Army's Legacy Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (Army's Legacy) today announced plans to combine their organizations' resources. The combined resources, which will operate as Army's Legacy, will create a stronger, more comprehensive animal rescue organization, enhancing and expanding services to the shoreline community and its animals.

The joint effort would unite VSAWL's established facility at 647 Horse Hill Road in Westbrook with Army's Legacy’s extensive foster network and rescue expertise. Following board approval from both organizations, Army's Legacy will begin a careful transition process, including obtaining necessary additional licensing and completing all required operational steps before assuming full operations at the Westbrook facility.

"This represents a transformative opportunity to expand our impact and save more lives," said Amanda Armstrong, Founder of Army's Legacy. "By combining VSAWL's excellent facility and supporting community with our network of supporters and volunteers, we can create a more robust organization capable of serving more animals in need. Our shared commitment to providing second chances for abandoned and neglected animals makes this a natural fit."

"For over 50 years, VSAWL has served the shoreline community with dedication and compassion," said Dottie Wells, Interim President of the VSAWL Board. "Army's Legacy will ensure that our mission continues and grows stronger. Together, we will be better positioned to serve both the animals in our care and our community's needs."

Key benefits include:

• Enhanced capacity to serve animals through Army's Legacy's established foster network and VSAWL's physical facility

• Expanded volunteer and donor base to support animal care operations

• Combined expertise in animal welfare and shelter management

• Strengthened ability to provide comprehensive animal welfare services to Connecticut’s shoreline region

• Additional resources and support for the community beyond traditional rescue services

The transition will be supported by VSAWL's current leadership team, including Board members and volunteers, working closely with Army’s Legacy to ensure continuity of operations and preservation of VSAWL's community relationships.

About Valley Shore Animal Welfare League

Founded in 1972, Valley Shore Animal Welfare League has served as a cornerstone of animal welfare along Connecticut’s shoreline for over five decades. Operating as a no-kill nonprofit shelter in Westbrook, VSAWL has provided humane shelter and care to abandoned, abused, and homeless companion cats and dogs, offering them love, care, and a second chance at life through adoption into forever homes.

About Army's Legacy Animal Rescue and Sanctuary

Based in Bristol, CT, Army’s Legacy Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to saving neglected, abused, and discarded animals. Founded by Animal Control Officer Amanda Armstrong, Army’s Legacy provides comprehensive care through its foster network while working toward establishing Connecticut's first true dog sanctuary. The organization is committed to creating positive change in animal rescue through organized, effective, and compassionate care for every pet, including those with special needs or challenging histories.

Media Contact:

Amanda Armstrong
Founder, Army’s Legacy Animal Rescue and Sanctuary
[email protected]
(203) 915-4722

11/09/2024

To Our Valued VSAWL Volunteers,

It is with deep gratitude that we write to you today. Over the years, you, our amazing volunteers, have selflessly dedicated your time, energy, and compassion to making our animal shelter a true haven for the creatures in our care, as well as a welcoming space for our community. Your unwavering commitment has changed countless lives, both animal and human, and for that, we are forever thankful.

As you know, the VSAWL board is currently working diligently to ensure that our organization remains vibrant and able to fulfill our mission of connecting animals with loving forever families. While we undertake this crucial work, it was necessary for us to temporarily re-home some of the animals in our direct care. These animals have been placed with other community shelters where they will continue to receive excellent care, and we are hopeful that exposing them to new audiences may also lead to additional opportunities for them to find their forever homes.

During this transitional period, it is necessary for us to pause our volunteer opportunities as well. Please know that this decision was not made lightly. The board is working tirelessly to evaluate all options, forge strategic partnerships, and develop innovative ideas to strengthen our presence and reach. Our goal is to emerge from this pause as an even more impactful and sustainable organization, better positioned to serve our furry friends and the community.

We appreciate your patience and continued support during this time. We will be sure to keep you updated on our progress and look forward to welcoming you back to the shelter soon. Your dedication to our mission is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do.

Sincerely,

The VSAWL Board

10/19/2024

We are excited to announce that, after waiting for a long time, Alice Dog has found her forever family! Her new home has a beautiful fenced in yard where she can run and play and chase. She’s getting walks and cuddles and belly rubs and making herself right at home. Her new family can’t believe how lucky they are to have her. She has been spending her time sniffing, laying on the sofa, and squeaking all her new squeaky toys. We are thrilled that Alice is so happy and wish her a wonderful new life with her new family!!🧡🧡🐾🐾🍞🍞

10/17/2024

A message from the Board of Valley Shore Animal Welfare League.

Like many of you who have been expressing concern online, we are volunteers - volunteers on the VSAWL board and volunteers at the shelter itself, working directly with the animals at our weekly shifts. Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety, and best interest of the animals in our care. Additionally, we care passionately about our staff, volunteers, and donors.

The shelter is going through a transition. Various information that has been circulating online IS NOT CORRECT. The shelter board has made no decision to close the shelter. We have not contracted to sell the organization to anyone, let alone a high-kill shelter. This information is simply NOT true.

The board has been meeting regularly and working with staff to tackle the issues before us as we consider all of our options to move forward in the best interest of VSAWL.

We appreciate all of the concern from our local community. We are happy that so many of you have had wonderful experiences volunteering with us or adopting from us. As we move forward, we are grateful for your patience and support as we implement the necessary steps to do what’s best for our animals and for the organization.

Please be careful about what you believe and spread online. We board members are regular people like anyone else, with families, jobs and “other lives” away from our volunteering. Spreading and believing false information can lead to catastrophic results. Please, in your desire to help the shelter, don’t lose sight of the truth or the effects of spreading false information.

Thank you.

10/03/2024

Everyone welcome Jack! Jack is a gorgeous, sweet 10 year old male who wants all the love and pets! He came to VSAWL from a home that loved him so much but had to give him up because of a family member’s health. Jack is up to date on vaccines and neutered. Please fill out an application and come meet this boy❤️

https://www.valleyshoreanimalwelfareleague.org/

10/01/2024

Happy adoption day Billy and Bobby! Thanks for stopping by on your way to finding your forever families!❤️

09/29/2024

Our volunteers can make even a rainy day feel bright! Bambi and Timber-Lynn went cruising today! It’s so good to see the dogs get a break from the shelter! Thank you Tara, Sydney and Alexa for loving all the animals❤️

Please go to our website to adopt these cuties! https://www.valleyshoreanimalwelfareleague.org/

09/28/2024

The face you make when you clearly ordered steak but your staff brings you kibbles!!

09/27/2024

Zoe is so excited that it's Friday!! She wanted to wish everyone a Happy weekend!

09/26/2024

Bobby is just hanging out patiently waiting for his forever home.

09/24/2024

Cinder has left the building!! Cinder the mayor of the cat room has been adopted by the sweetest couple, we could not be any happier for her and her new family! Congrats to all!

09/23/2024

Welcome to VSAWL Baxter and let the healing begin!! Someone abandoned this sweet little man at Homonasset! Thank goodness Madison CT Animal Control took him in and then got him to us. Baxter is so sweet and makes friends with everyone he meets. He wants to be with people all the time so we cant imagine how scared he was out in this big world all alone. Baxter has a vet appointment at the end of the week and then he will be available for adoption!

Address

647 Horse Hill Road
Westbrook, CT
06498

Telephone

+18603997561

Website

http://www.valleyshoreanimalwelfareleague.org/

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