Animal Control: Dog Abandoned at Irwin Park Re-Homed; Found Cat Adoptable Next Week [UPDATED]

Update Sept. 2

The cat impounded earlier in the week has been returned to her family. “Cali” had been missing since July 25, Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm said.

Original Story

A young black Labrador retriever mix that appeared to have been dumped in Irwin Park on Aug. 13 is being adopted through a reputable rescue organization, officials say. 

This black Labrador retriever mix appears to have been dumped Aug. 13 at Irwin Park. Photo courtesy of New Canaan Animal Control

The estimated 3-year-old female dog is “very, very sweet,” according to Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm.

“We got to know each other very well,” Halm said.

She added, “She settled in fairly well at the shelter. I made sure I spent hours with her every day because she’s a big dog and she needed exercise. She and I got to know the Transfer Station well.” (New Canaan’s animal shelter is located in a former incinerator building at the dump.)

“The dog looks to be in very good condition,” Halm said. “Just obviously a little anxious and confused.”

Though the dog has a microchip, the device is not registered and therefore is untraceable, Halm said.

Labs4Rescue, a Killingworth-based nonprofit organization, has taken on the dog and placed her with a foster family, Halm said.

“I was very blessed that Labs4Rescue found a foster home,” Halm said.

Officials at Labs4Rescue said in response to an inquiry from NewCanaanite.com that they “expect to finalize its adoption within the next few days.”

The organization added that it always needs foster homes and has many other wonderful Labs on its website that are available for adoption.

This senior cat will be adoptable starting in the first full week of September if it goes unclaimed through the weekend. Photo courtesy of New Canaan Animal Control

On Tuesday, the shelter took in a senior cat that could become adoptable next week if she goes unclaimed. 

She had been spotted during the past week in the area of East Cross Road, “skin and bones,” Halm said.

The cat is a senior and came in very thin, with an old eye injury, she said.

“We don’t just grab free roaming cats because they’re allowed to roam,” Halm said. “But when I saw her I knew she was in trouble.”

Halm said the cat is “very sweet, very social” and now “doing quite well.”

“She’s using the litter box right and less ravenous now that she’s getting four meals per day,” Halm said.

The Labs4Rescue adoption overview can be found here. Those interested in adopting the cat should contact Animal Control next week, at 203-594-3510.