To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to the volunteers of Waggin’ Tails Shelter.  Though the article, published (in the Jan. 5, 2018 edition of hte Torrington Telegram) included a lot of pertinent information, it didn’t include some of the most important and that is entirely my fault.

The volunteers that have dedicated their time over the years are an invaluable asset to the shelter. Without them Waggin’ Tails Shelter would not be what it is.

Tracy Coffelt and Portia McCreery have been volunteering the longest. They have been responsible for recruiting others to volunteer their time as well. Kathy Childs, Amanda Trout, Keith and Pam Pantier, Kaleen and Levi Troupe, Tammy Vass and family, Lisa Eddington, Jane and Ken Betschart, Barb and Cliff Robinson, Lisa Owens and Lynnsey Gonzales round out the group of regular volunteers at this time.  There have been so many more over the years that there isn’t enough room to list them all.  I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the time they spend at the shelter. 

These are the folks who deserved not only my appreciation but the communities as well.  They are the ones who go to the shelter 7 days a week, twice a day, even on the holidays, regardless of the weather to make sure the animals are fed, have clean beds and that one gets special attention. They also spend their time at the shelter, exercising the dogs, cleaning up after the animals and keeping things tidy around the facility. 

Tracy and Portia have taken on the task of making sure www.petfinder.com is kept up to date with current photos and information about the animals at the shelter. Portia has been the administrator of the shelters Facebook page since its creation.  Tracy and Portia are also the application committee the process begins with them sending and receiving applications, making the necessary phone calls, and even doing home visits. More often than not they are the ones to meet potential adopters at the shelter when the time comes for a meet and greet with the animal of interest. 

Several of the volunteers will transport animals to the vet when needed and transport to the various rescue organizations Waggin’ Tails Shelter works with. 

It is ONLY because of the volunteers that Waggin’ Tails Shelter is the organization that it is. I am grateful to have such a dedicated group of people who genuinely share a love of animals that for whatever reason have landed at Waggin’ Tails Shelter.  Your dedication to the shelter is unbelievable; there is no way to ever shown enough appreciation for all that you do.  My sincerest apologies for not making sure this information was included in the original article.

Sincerely,

Teri Shinost

Torrington Animal Control Officer