'A Dream Come True:' Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter Renovated, Modernized

BRANFORD, CT — No matter the circumstance, from abandonment to neglect, and sometimes, far worse, the animals at the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter may not know that their temporary home is new and improved. They do know it’s a safe haven where they’ll be cared for and loved.

After years of planning and fundraising, the refurbished, modernized, and expanded shelter at 749 East Main Street recently had its proverbial ribbon cutting to celebrate.

The project involved doubling the size of the building and completely renovating the existing space. It includes expanded cat space, pet adoption visiting rooms, upgraded kennels, and more quarantine space. And it features separate ventilation to prevent the spread of infection, a medical visiting room, a pregnant cat room, separate offices for animal control activities, and a separate entrance for stray and roaming animals.

As the shelter is also a community-funded facility, there’s a community room, space for volunteers, adoption visiting rooms, and a “generous, adoption-friendly lobby for people.”

And, it’s one of the two first-ever recipients of donated domestic solar hot water equipment from the Connecticut Green Bank. The goal to have it be the first "net-zero" shelter nationwide was realized.

As shelter director Laura Burban explained to Patch back in the summer of 2021 just as the project was set to begin construction, the building produces its own “domestic hot water through solar thermal energy, this will greatly help us achieve our net-zero objectives.”

The nearly $4.9 million project saw that cost offset by more than $1.5 million in fundraising by CosgroveSavingLives campaign.

The animal shelter also serves the town of North Branford.

"It really is like a dream come true," Burban told Patch. "I’ve lived in this building for 15 years, and all I’ve wanted is for the people and animals to feel safe and comfortable. I truly believe we have designed a place where — even though it’s not home — it feels homey to all the creatures who are here."

>>>>Here are a few of our favorite Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter stories. Tell us your favorite stories from the shelter in the comments!
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