The Plight of Animals In Distress, Inc.

Behind Wilton's Town Hall lies a small building with a big heart and an even bigger need.

The building is Wilton's lone animal shelter; half of it is the town dog pound, the other half a feline sanctuary.  The two actually share a lobby but the cat side doesn’t take dogs, and the dog side doesn’t take cats for obvious reasons.  Unlike the pound half, however, Animals In Distress, Inc. is a nonprofit organization solely funded by donations and run exclusively by volunteers. 

“We’re a small, private shelter,” explained Shelter Director Carole Nameth.  “We’re like the shop around the corner and we’ve been desperate.”

In addition to pet allergies and the rising popularity of online searches for pets on sites such as PetFinder.com, another factor is affecting the sanctuary’s survival most: the struggling economy.  With veterinary bills on the rise and people losing their jobs and relocating, pets and already-full shelters alike are both having an increasingly difficult time finding and staying in their homes.

Like many other shelters, Animals In Distress is filled to capacity. They currently house 20 adult cats and another nine who temporarily reside in foster care and there is even a feline waiting list.

Since the organization does not put down animals, other than those with severe health troubles or quality of life issues, Nameth can rarely accept more cats.  But she is careful to take the time to advise those seeking temporary and permanent homes for an unwanted pet.  Nameth freely gives out referrals to other organizations and occasionally offers to take on some of the financial responsibility so that a cat can remain in its current home.

The economy is tough, but Animals In Distress has actually received more donations this year than last.  So, if the cost of feeding the animal is the issue for the owner, the shelter will supply the cat food and will also provide funding to spay or neuter an animal when necessary.

“I will gladly give food [if it makes a difference],” Nameth said. 

Founded in the 1960s, Animals In Distress began in the furnace room of the dog pound and now is located in a bright, sunny room of its own with lots of windows that allow its feline residents to enjoy Wilton's scenery.  The cats are allowed to roam freely around the facility and numerous cat beds and “kitty towers” line its walls.

It is a quaint complex and its cats are well taken care of.  But the town does not provide any funding to the organization and especially during turbulent economic times, the shelter needs all the help it can get.

In hopes of finding its tenants a second chance at a loving home, Animals In Distress holds adoption events a few times a year.  They also send out newsletters to members.  You can learn more about adopting from this shelter here and are encouraged to volunteer your time and efforts whenever possible.