Regional Animal Shelter Under Construction

Construction is underway on the new regional animal shelter in town that will be shared by Westbrook and possibly Killingworth. The shelter, which will be newly renovated, is located on the grounds of the Department of Public Works facility on Nod Road.

A $100,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant is being used to fund the project.

More than a year ago, plans were almost set in place to build a new $300,000 regional animal shelter in Westbrook that would be shared by the two towns. The idea made sense, because Westbrook was losing their existing animal shelter and gaining a new town garage at the state Department of Transportation (DOT) facility off Route 145. The new animal shelter was planned to be part of the town garage/DOT complex.

Former State Representative James Crawford, Clinton First Selectman Willie Fritz, Westbrook First Selectman Noel Bishop, and current State Representative Tom Vicino proposed that renovating the existing Clinton facility and regionalizing its services and costs would save money.

The grant could be transferred from one project to the other.

The construction work will take about two to three months, depending upon the weather.

Donna Cavanaugh, animal control officer for Clinton Police Department, said she is using the services of Madison's animal shelter in the interim.