Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about DAWS? Look here:
- What is the mission of Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS)?
- What is the vision of DAWS?
- Is DAWS a 501 (3) (c) nonprofit?
- Is there a Board of Directors?
- Where is DAWS located?
- When is DAWS open?
- How do I contact DAWS?
- Does DAWS have a list of supplies it needs donated (a wish list)?
- When can I drop off donations?
- How does the DAWS Shelter Veterinary Clinic support the DAWS Mission?
- Does DAWS provide low cost spay/neuter?
- What is the TNR program?
- What are DAWS employees responsible for?
- How many animals did DAWS help in 2012?
- How do I volunteer at DAWS?
- What do I do if I need to give up my pet?
1. What is the mission of Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS)?
Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (DAWS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community and beyond. Founded in 1974, DAWS provides shelter and care to animals (dogs and cats) in need, offers adoption counseling to place our loving animals in forever homes, promotes responsible pet guardianship and humane treatment of animals, and works toward ending animal overpopulation through education, spay/neuter and trap, neuter and return programs.
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2. What is the vision of DAWS?
Danbury Animal Welfare Society’s vision is to be the regional leader in placing dogs and cats in qualified adoptive homes. We strive to build a modern facility that enables us to expand our rescue and adoption, community outreach and education services. By defining leading animal welfare and operational practices DAWS will grow as a trusted community resource.
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3. Is DAWS a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization?
Yes, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. When you make a donation to DAWS, you will receive a receipt to use for tax purposes.
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4. Is there a Board of Directors?
Yes, DAWS is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
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5. Where is DAWS located?
DAWS is located at 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel, CT (which is RT 53). Visit the Contact Us page for directions and our open house hours.
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6. When is DAWS open?
DAWS is open from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM from Monday – Friday and 2:00 PM-4:00 PM on the weekends for adoptions. Visit the Visit Us page for directions.
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7. How do I contact DAWS?
DAWS has several email addresses depending on your needs.
- For questions about dogs including dogs available for adoption or lost/found dogs please email dogs@daws.org.
- For questions about cats including cats available for adoption or lost/found cats please email cats@daws.org.
- For general DAWS inquiries, please email daws@daws.org.
- For questions about donations or bequests or memorial donations, please email daws@daws.org.
- If you are interested in fostering a DAWS animal, please email foster@daws.org.
- If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteer@daws.org.
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8. Does DAWS have a list of supplies it needs donated (a wish list)?
Yes. We are always grateful for donations of supplies to help us care for the animals and keep our costs down. Please visit the Wish List page for our up-to-date wishlist.
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9. When can I drop off donations?
Donations can be dropped off:
- 9:00 AM-2:00 PM Monday – Friday,
- 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Monday-Friday, and
- 2:00 PM-4:00 PM on the weekends.
If the donations are part of a collection drive or a birthday party OR if you’ll need assistance from DAWS volunteers to unload the donated items from your vehicle, please contact daws@daws.org to arrange a special drop off opportunity.
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10. How does the DAWS Shelter Veterinary Clinic support the DAWS mission?
Danbury Animal Welfare Society’s Internal Clinic supports the Organization’s Mission by providing quality medical care for cats and dogs in shelter or foster care environments prior to adoption. Visit the Community Services page to read more.
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11. Does DAWS provide low-cost spay and neuter to the community?
Danbury Animal Welfare Society is proud to offer the community low cost spay and neuter when available. This community outreach is based on financial need with a focus on animals that have been rescued. Payment in the form of cash, check, or credit card is due at the time of service. Refer to the Low-cost Spay & Neuter page and the ASAP page for pricing.
Other information: Alters are done on Mondays and Thursdays, and some Tuesdays. Appointment is necessary. Animals must arrive at DAWS between 8:00 AM-9:00 AM and can be picked up between 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Proof of vaccines DHPP and Rabies are required.
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12. What is Trap, Neuter, and Release?
Trap Neuter and Release (TNR) is a program DAWS offers its communities to help control the feral cat population. For more information please visit the TNR program page.
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13. What are DAWS employees responsible for?
DAWS is fortunate to have a Cattery, Kennel and Clinic Manager who is responsible the clinic, care of the animals, and maintenance of the shelter. Reporting to the Cattery, Kennel and Clinic Manager is a small staff of Animal Care Technicians who:
- feed the animals twice a day
- clean the animals’ living area daily
- clean supplies used by the animals such as bowls and toys
- wash the animals’ bedding (we do more than 5,000 loads of laundry each year!)
- administer medication as needed, including monthly preventatives for heart worms and flea and tick preventatives
- bathe dogs
- transport animals who need specialized veterinary services
- socialize the animals and monitor health issues
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14. How many animals does DAWS help each year?
Since DAWS was founded in 1974, we have saved the lives of thousands of animals and have had the joy and privilege of facilitating their adoptions. With the continued support of the community, the volunteers and the staff at DAWS look forward to the next paw print in our history with passion, anticipation and hope.
We facilitate 600+ adoptions each year and hundreds of low-cost spay/neuter surgeries through our ASAP and Community Assistance Programs. Additionally, we trap, spay, neuter and return over a hundred cats each year to their colonies and outdoor homes.
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15. How do I volunteer at DAWS?
Please visit the Get Involved page to learn about volunteer opportunities and how to become a volunteer at DAWS.
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16. What do I do if I need to give up my pet?
DAWS is limited in the number of animals that we can take into the shelter. The Cat and Dog programs each have their own forms to collect information about the pet. These forms are needed before the pet can be placed on the shelter waiting list. If your cat or dog is a purebred animal, we suggest you first contact rescue organizations dedicated to the specific breed.
Dog Surrenders
If you need to surrender your dog, you must come to DAWS in person and fill out a surrender form and bring copies of all pertinent vet records. Do not bring the dog with you! Applications without vet records will not be considered. Phone messages and or emails will not be accepted. We reserve the right to approve or deny any application.
List of dog breeds we do not consider: Huskies, Dalmatians, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Wolf Hybrids
We require every dog to be evaluated by our certified dog trainer before we agree to take said dog into our facility. The dog will be put through a series of temperament tests. We will contact you to schedule an appointment for this evaluation. Appointments are scheduled as kennel space becomes free. You may be put on a waiting list until we have room in the shelter. If dog does not pass our temperament test we will try to offer you other options. If we do take the dog into our facility, you agree to relinquish all present and future claims to said dog.
Surrender fee is $200. This fee is to help defray the cost of rehoming the dog, i.e. medical care, food, marketing.
Cat Surrenders
Cat owners: please go to the “Surrendering Your Cat” section in the Cat Center (click here) to learn more and access the form.
Surrender fee is $100. This fee is to help defray the cost of rehoming the cat, i.e. medical care, food, marketing.
Please note that DAWS cannot accept any surrenders without proof that the cat has recently been tested for FIV and ringworm. You will also be asked to supply all medical records.