History

Many people ask why we decided to build this shelter. Cathy and Mark Wickerd had volunteered for several animal shelters prior to building our own. Second Chance Sanctuary in Sterling, Connecticut was the last shelter we volunteered at and is mostly responsible for our building our own shelter.

Originally founded and run by a Erin Woodward; a wonderful caring woman, it was a shelter that was making a difference by saving many animals. Unfortunately, Erin and her husband had to move and she sold the property with the shelter to a man who said he would continue to run the shelter and care for the animals.

This man had no ambition to run this shelter and soon things just fell apart. Most of the volunteers stopped helping, leaving only Cathy and one other family to care for the animals a few times a week. Below are some pictures showing the conditions just prior to us capturing and relocating the remaining animals to their new home at Forgotten Angels Sanctuary.

These pictures and stories are to show the public what we deal with daily and why we need your help. This is why your donations are needed so desperately. We all work very hard at this shelter to make this one of the best shelter in the State of Connecticut and we can not do this without your help.

  • A shot from the inside of the shelter. The floor is covered in water from the severe leaks in the ceiling. The smell of mold a mildew was overwhelming.
  • The ceiling in the shelter where water came in regularly.
  • The cats gather to eat outside the front of the shelter. These cats were left to fend for themselves. Some did not survive long enough to be rescued.

Our shelter was established in September 2006 and officially opened in May of 2007. We are proud to have one of the finest and cleanest shelters in Connecticut.

  • The shelter as you walk in.
  • The main room of the shelter.
  • The main room after meal time.
  • The second room of the shelter.
  • The second room looking into the main room.
  • The outside area of the shelter.
  • Another shot from the outside.