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Animal Shelter
Drive Continues

By Gail Lacouture
Times Staff
7/1/10
With a design plan for Milton’s new animal shelter approved by Selectmen late last year, volunteers have been busy trying to raise the funds needed to get the project under way.

There is much more work to do on the way to raising $1 million, according to Milton Animal League President Nancy Bersani. The league has raised around $400,000 for the building over the past several years.

“[Fund-raising] is going slower than we’d like, obviously,” she said. “But we’re getting there.”With a design plan for Milton’s new animal shelter approved by Selectmen late last year, volunteers have been busy trying to raise the funds needed to get the project under way.

There is much more work to do on the way to raising $1 million, according to Milton Animal League President Nancy Bersani. The league has raised around $400,000 for the building over the past several years.

“[Fund-raising] is going slower than we’d like, obviously,” she said. “But we’re getting there.”

Bersani said one problem is a lack of volunteers to help with the effort. She added, however, work is being done.

Volunteers are drafting letters to local businesses asking for donations and naming opportunities. For example, a donor could have a name appear on a kennel or outdoor pen. Bricks on a walkway and tiles on the building for children to design will also be available.

“We would love to have more volunteers to help with the fund-raising,” said Bersani, who added there has been some response from the letter-writing campaign. “We also need grant writers.”

Bersani said the need for the new building is as high as ever because of the increased number of abandoned dogs and cats found in the area, especially in the Blue Hills. However, she pointed out, the building will not be “getting bigger, it will be getting better.”

The shelter currently has 12 kennels for dogs and 30 for cats. Those numbers will not increase in the new facility. The new building will create outdoor space for the over-crowded animals and an indoor space for the public to gather away from the animals, Bersani said.

Since most rescued animals require more service, care and training these days before they are adopted, according to Bersani, they must stay at the facility for a longer period of time.

Therefore, she said, the additional space for the animals’ proper care is imperative.

Bersani said she also looks forward to offering public-education seminars in the new space – specifically, programs on wildlife and rabies.

“I can predict what month it is from the types of calls I get about the wildlife,” she said.

Bersani fields numerous calls each week about coyotes and foxes. She said people have misconceptions about the animals.

Bersani said she will also be able to offer more training to the shelter’s dogs in the new indoor and outdoor spaces. She then wants to expand those offerings to the public.

She also envisions the space as a way to unite the children of the community via activities – especially those who selflessly give up their birthday gifts for donations, and others who raise money by running lemonade stands or selling other items.

“I’ve seen nothing but positives here,” she said. “These kids are so incredible, and they’re our future volunteers!”

Meanwhile, the shelter’s “adult” volunteers have a few fund-raising events planned. A craft fair will be held at Cunningham Park on Sunday, Oct. 3, and will feature professional crafters. Details will follow.

Volunteers are also planning a wine tasting, Bersani said, and she’d like to host another dog walk for the public similar to one held last fall at Turner’s Pond.

For more information on how to donate or to become a volunteer, call the animal shelter at (617) 698-0455.