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05/10/2023 07:26 AMWith golden shears and a red ribbon matching the building’s bright exterior paint, Branford’s newly renovated and expanded Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter celebrated its grand opening on Monday, May 8.
With its goal to be the nation’s first net-zero municipal animal control shelter, and it’s unique, multi-wing design, the new facility is a model for other municipalities to follow, said Shelter Director Laura Burban.
In addition to spaces dedicated to sheltering animals, the building’s wings provide an area for a wellness center and area for an adoption center.
“We’re hoping that all communities that have animal control facilities will consider having different wings,” said Burban.
A crowd gathered at noon on May 8 to view the ribbon cutting and enjoy public tours shared for the rest of the day of the shelter and adoption center, located at 749 East Main Street. Among the crowd were supporters and committee members of the CosgroveSavingLives capital campaign, which raised approximately $1.8 million to help offset the shelter’s $4.895 million shelter expansion and renovation project cost funded by the Town of Branford.
North Branford currently receives services from the shelter and animal control officers through a municipal agreement which began in 2005.The shelter’s located at 749 East Main Street.
The project to expand and renovate the shelter fficially broke ground in September, 2021. Overseen by project construction manager Enterprise Builders (Norwalk) and designed by Branford architect Joseph Sepot, who attended the grand opening May 8.
Burban thanked the Town of Branford, First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Finance Director Jim Finch and other community leaders; as well as community supporters, shelter staff and volunteers, campaign committee members and members of the Daniel P. Cosgrove Animal Shelter Commission for their efforts and dedication to bring about the new shelter.
“I want to thank all of you who really helped us get here. There are so many of you who donated or volunteered or were just a part of this right from the beginning; and, obviously, our commission,” said Burban. “The commission members are the ones who really started this. We’re grateful to all of you.”
In honor of her late husband, for whom the shelter’s Robert Massey Sr. Wellness Center wing is named, Jean Massey was asked to join Burban, Cosgrove, and shelter commission’s Gretchen Dale to cut the ribbon.
Cosgrove also thanked the many people involved in the effort to bring about the new shelter to the point of its official grand opening day.
“There are so many people to thank. It was an effort undertaken by the community. It extended far beyond Town staff and commission members who were instrumental; it was due outreach and the support of all the community members, from volunteering to donations [to] advocating on all the great work the shelter, the staff does; not only here in Branford, but also in providing support in North Branford and even extending further throughout the region.”
Cosgrove noted the project and its resulting building have produced an “incredible facility” that matches the caliber and reputation of a program that goes above and beyond in its efforts and services.
Initially starting out with a space described by Cosgrove as “a closet,” over two decades ago, community support and donations also assisted in building and opening the original, 2,600 square-foot shelter at the East Main Street site in 2003.
The newly renovated and expanded building more than doubles the facility to nearly 6,000 square feet.
“We’ve long known the great work that is done. Now we have a facility that will accommodate the great work, and allow them to continue to expand those services that they provide so many families and individuals through the care of their pets,” said Cosgrove.
Cosgrove also recognized Burban for her instrumental work in developing the shelter, together with the support of her staff and for outreach efforts to which the community responded.
“Within our community we have supported not only this project, but many others,” said Cosgrove.
Additionally, he thanked Massey and her family for their contributions to the community and the shelter, as well as Dale for her contributions to the shelter and in the community.
Burban thanked the capital campaign members for the remarkable fundraising effort which drove in $1.8 million in funding.
“It’s going to save a lot of lives, and change people’s lives for the better,” said Burban.