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Date: 9/26/2023
LUDLOW — Animal Control Officer Octavia Anderson announced the launch of the first nonprofit group for Ludlow Animal Control.
Under the umbrella of the nonprofit, there are two sub-groups: Friends of Ludlow Animal Control and Ludlow Animal PALS.
Friends of Ludlow Animal Control which will raise money for the immediate needs of the animals that end up in Anderson’s care along with support programs, dog training, veterinary services and educational programs for the community.
Anderson just recently hosted a bite workshop at the Hubbard Memorial Library to make residents aware of warning signs to avoid getting bit.
Anderson said, “They are going to be raising money for the immediate care. My budget will only cover so much with the town. In the extra that we have will go to either animals that we have that are in need or eventually I would like it to help with the spade and neuter costs, with trapping and releasing feral cats.”
Ludlow Animal PALS will concentrate solely on raising money to build animal shelter in Ludlow.
“I realized the town was lacking something and one of the main things was an animal shelter. Looking into it, I figured that we needed some sort of movement going with having the town be aware that this a need in the town,”Anderson said.
Anderson added the town currently uses the Wilbraham shelter that she described as a room with kennels in it.
“I think we have a great group of people behind us. This group is going to concentrate on only the shelter. They are going to be contacting large businesses. There are a lot of people out there that have grants and money for building shelters or maintaining shelters or updating shelters,” Anderson explained.
Right now, the board consists of five members including Anderson, but she added that they are looking for more volunteers to help.
Anderson said a new shelter can be a place to also offer dog training.
She added, “That is the bane with most issues with dogs is they are not trained. If we can offer a low-cost dog training that would be amazing. The possibilities are endless, and I am optimistic about it.”
Anderson added she gets abandoned or lost dogs and cats and a proper shelter will help.
“Not having the proper shelter or budget to care for these animals properly without we reaching out everywhere is time consuming and hard to do. My main purpose in life is not to catch an animal to send it off or put it to sleep somewhere. I want to find the best homes I can for them,” Anderson said.
An animal shelter in Ludlow will help Anderson with that goal.
She said, “Unfortunately a lot of the time that includes medical bills, boarding fees, just uptake. I decided starting a nonprofit would be a good thing. The community seems to appreciate all the efforts that I was making in the town and that is what I did.”
According to Anderson, the nonprofit currently has a few fundraisers planned for October including one at Vanished Valley Brewing on Thursday, Oct. 5, and Iron Duke Brewing on Oct. 29.
You can find news and updates at the group’s Facebook page, Friends of Ludlow Animal Control & Ludlow Animals PALS, www.tinyurl.com/5y9krasn.
Anderson added, “I am so grateful to have founded this group and of the great people who are running it. Please like our page and follow us on Facebook for future events and how to donate information.”