DAWS in Bethel, CT works to raise funds for renovation, ongoing operations – Danbury News Times

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With renovations underway at its shelter, the Danbury Animal Welfare Society in Bethel, Conn., is continuing to raise funds for not only the project, but to support its ongoing work to help animals.
The Danbury Animal Welfare Society at 147 Grassy Plain St. in Bethel, Conn., is continuing to try to raise funds for operations as its shelter undergoes renovation work.
The Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS) broke ground March 1, 2022, for the renovations to the nonprofit’s facility in Bethel, Conn.,
Conceptual rendering of the renovated front entrance at the Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Grassy Plain St. in Bethel, Conn. Updated renderings and information can be found at renovation.daws.org.
Conceptual rendering of the renovated front entrance at the Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Grassy Plain St. in Bethel, Conn. Updated renderings and information can be found at renovation.daws.org.
Conceptual rendering of the renovated exterior of the Danbury Animal Welfare Society on Grassy Plain St. in Bethel, Conn. Updated renderings and information can be found at renovation.daws.org.
Conceptual rendering of the renovated exterior of the Danbury Animal Welfare Society on Grassy Plain St. in Bethel, Conn. Updated renderings and information can be found at renovation.daws.org.
BETHEL — With renovations underway at its shelter, the Danbury Animal Welfare Society is continuing to try to raise funds not only for the project, but to support its ongoing work to help animals.
Even after recently surpassing its $150,000 fundraising goal, the nonprofit — which provides shelter and care to dogs and cats, as well as rescue, adoption and low-cost clinic services — remains determined to raise more funds to support its operations. Plus, the project is expected to exceed its original $1.75 million budget due to rising costs. The new estimate is at least $2 million. 
“Things have gone up so much since the budget was first created,” said Alice Meenan, the organization’s development and marketing director.
And while its Grassy Plain Street shelter is closed as construction is underway, DAWS still helps and provides services to animals, she said. 
“Even with the shelter closed, the money we raise still supports all the things we do for the community like our low-cost clinics, which are operating out of Newtown at the moment,” she said.
Construction at the site DAWS has called home for nearly 30 years broke ground in March, following years of planning and fundraising efforts to transform the shelter into a state-of-the-art facility.
To date, the shelter’s outside kennels have been completely torn down and the front of the building gutted.
“Next we’ll be laying the foundation outside so that the kennels can be built brand new from the bottom up, and then the builder will let us know what comes after that,” Meenan said.
The rest of the building space — which includes its clinic, cattery, office and greeting spaces, and community and education rooms — will also be re-purposed.  
DAWS plans to increase its focus on community education with the new facility, which will feature a designated room for children’s education called A Place for Children.
As part of the organization’s ongoing fundraising efforts, DAWS will hold a Putt Fore Paws golf tournament Oct. 24, at the Redding Country Club.
The event — which Meenan said will be the first golf tournament DAWS has held in a few years — will kick off with registration and breakfast at 9:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 11 a.m., cocktail hour at 4 p.m. and dinner, awards and an auction at 5 p.m.
There is a participation fee of $300 per golfer and $1,000 per foursome. For those interested in just the cocktail hour and reception, there’s a $75 entry fee. There are also sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $100 to $7,500. More information can be found at https://dawsgolf2022.givesmart.com.
Despite the expected cost increase of the renovation project, Meenan said it’s still on track for completion next summer.
“The builder feels very comfortable with the timeline right now, and nothing has come up to make us think that it will be extended,” she said. “At this point next year, we should be in the facility and fully operating.”
Kendra Baker is a reporter for the News-Times who previously worked as a general assignment reporter for The Wilton Bulletin. Before The Bulletin, Kendra freelanced for The Redding Pilot and interned for the New Haven Independent. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in psychology. Her work has also been published on ConnecticutHistory.org.

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