Since adopting two of his four pets from the North Haven Animal Control (NHAC), Valentino DiMichele has been a regular visitor to the shelter. As the owner and operator of Valentino’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, he offered to give back to the shelter.

“I asked if they’d like me to come down and give the floors a good steaming to see if it would make a difference and if it did, I’d be happy to do more,” says Valentino. “It came out great and we were able to get it all sanitized.”

He is thankful to Dave Carney and Chrystal Rashba, the animal control officers at NHAC, for bringing him together with two of his four pets. Valentino has seen the animal control officers’ hard work firsthand on his visits to the shelters.

“Because of them I have my animals. I owe them a lot because I have these wonderful animals from there,” says Valentino. “Dave and Chrystal are the best. They do a lot more than just getting animals. They’re maintaining the building, feeding and taking care of the animals, beautifying the property, and more. They not only work hard, but they’re really nice people.”

In addition to volunteering at the shelter, Valentino has been running his business for the past 23 years. Out of high school, he got a job with a fire restoration company and was assigned to operating the rug cleaner. When he turned 30, he opened Valentino’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, using only steam for cleaning.

“People that make the best cleaners are people who have a passion for cleaning,” says Valentino. “I cleaned for this little Italian lady and she said to me, ‘Valentino, you clean with a passion,’ and I do because I love it. To me it’s more fun than work. I like things neat and organized. I’m a perfectionist.”

With two dogs and two cats, Valentino steams his carpets every year. BettyLou, a Chihuahua-rat terrier mix, was adopted in April 2010 at an estimated three to five years old. A year later, a pregnant beagle mix came into the shelter and Valentino had the pick of the litter, adopting Barney.

“They’re inseparable now,” says Valentino. “I’ve had dogs my whole life and BettyLou is the nicest, sweetest dog ever, a 100 percent lapdog. Barney is very unique, very smart, and very verbal. I think when you adopt a dog, they know you’re giving them a home.”

Valentino has been married for 12 years and the couple has a huge fenced in yard that they enjoy with their pets. Having gotten married later in life, the couple did not have children, but they admittedly spoil their pets.

“Our animals are like our children,” says Valentino, who has lived in North Haven since 2000. “My dogs are great, they’re my companions. They don’t say dogs are man’s best friend for nothing.”

Growing up, Valentino, who was one of eight children, notes that his family always had all kinds of animals from dogs and cats to a goat and a sheep. He says both of his parents loved animals.

Valentino encourages others to look at shelters, especially NHAC, when they are considering adopting a pet. He notes that pets make great company for anyone who might be looking for a companion.

“Animals can give you better company than person sometimes because you give them affection, they give you affection, and you’re the center of their world,” says Valentino. “If I made more money, I’d adopt more dogs, but you’ve got to keep what you can afford.”

Valentino plans to continue spending time at the shelter, volunteering to help out with whatever he can. He has also committed to return to steam clean the floors again after seeing the difference it made.

“I love the shelter and I love the people,” says Valentino. “Volunteering anywhere is good for the soul and anybody who is capable should volunteer for a good cause like that.”

For information, contact Valentino at 203-230-0905 or visit valentinoscarpetcleaning.com.