Gathering of the Paws 2024

Past Events

Part l: (Results)

Pictured is Cheryl Castellano from Gimme Shelter Hamden, presenting Chief Reynolds with a $7067.50 donation to Hamden’s Animal Shelter Gift Fund. Looking on is ACO Barb Godejohn and Hamden’s newest hire, Crystal Dalnegro.

• $1777.50 Is from our annual MLB 13-run baseball pool.

• $5290.00 was from our 2024 Gathering of the Paws.

Gathering of the Paws is our annual pet fair presented this year in conjunction with the Town of Hamden.

Gimme Shelter Hamden would like to thank Mayor Lauren Garrett, and her team of Sean Grace, Alexa Panayotakis, Brian Murphy, Karen, and Salvatore for the incredible job they did. Most of you who know me know that I am in chemotherapy, and simply put, this event would not have gone off without their efforts.

We would like to thank Chief Reynolds and the Hamden Police Department who also had our back. Administrative Assistant Soraya Antonini handled our sponsorship checks and mail-in donations, and Animal Control Officer, Barb Godejohn organized the vendors and executed the raffle. If that wasn’t enough, Hamden K-9 Officer Kevin Cugini conducted demonstrations with K-9 Jet.

ACO Godejohn with Officer Cugillo & K9 Jet

We would also like to acknowledge the Hamden Fire Department for their participation and Hamden CERT for handling parking duties so everybody got in and out of our event safely.

We would be remiss if we did not also thank the Hamden Parks Department. They, along with Gimme Shelter’s Anthony Castellano, are the people who set up the event early in the morning before you get there, and break it down long after you leave.

We all had fun, but the highlight of the event was when Mayor Lauren Garrett announced the location of the first-ever Hamden Animal Shelter. It will be on Putnam Ave at Gallagher Rd. Our hope is this will decrease the need for people to abandon their pets that they could no longer care for.

Mayor Lauren Garrett addresses the audience with the latest shelter location.

One of Gimme Shelters’ tasks over the years was to educate our citizens as to why we needed a shelter. The vast majority of people consider their pets bona fide family members and would never think of giving up their loved ones.

However, as the bulge in the population, known as Baby Boomers, moves into the geriatric age group, the dynamics have changed. Single pet parents get life-changing diagnoses, single pet parents die, and single pet parents become indigent. Whatever the reason, Gimme Shelter Hamden advocates for a safe & legal option to rehome a pet before it gets put out on the street in our community of over 60,000.

So thank you, Mayor Garrett, Police Chief Reynolds, Fire Chief Carter, Public Works Director Joe Colello, and Ken Pencht

I’ve heard it said that a community is judged by how they take care of their animals and those without voices. It is wonderful to see our community leaders involved in this project.

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

NEXT STEP: Blueprints & price tag by Spring.

If you would like to donate to Hamden’s Animal Shelter Gift Fund, you may drop off a check in person or mail it to:

Animal Shelter Gift Fund

c/o HPD

2900 Dixwell Ave

Hamden, Ct 06518

(atten: Chief Reynolds)

– or you may donate online on the Town of Hamden’s webpage: https://hamdenct.viewpointcloud.com/…/record-types/6457

Part ll: SPONSORS & PARTICIPANTS:

Gimme Shelter would also like to thank the following…

I cannot say enough about our event sponsors, Spring Glen Veterinary Clinic, who are always just a phone call away from supporting our vision of the first-ever Hamden Animal Shelter. Some people are just able to pass off a check, which is fine, and then there are people like owner Kayla Migliula, who embrace our concept by supplying and personally assembling animatronics so that we could have moving dragons on each side of the stage. In addition, they sponsored our Pet Halloween Costume Contest!

There is Meg Montano from The Barking Lot who is always eager to support our endeavor of a Hamden Animal Shelter. She not only participates personally but helps us get the word out through her massive social media presence.

Bridget and Alex Blank from Twelve Percent Brewery were also sponsors and vendors this year. I know this young family personally and a Gimme Shelter Hamden promotion would not be the same without their generosity.

Kathy Shea is always on board with Paws ‘N Effect Canne Training Center. Kathy and her manager Sandy always help make our events successful in their unique way. This year they assembled a dog obstacle course next to their booth and they passed out gift bags to all participants!

Trinity on the Green is a new sponsor who came out to bless our beloved pets and offer a pet prayer service. We hope to include them in future events.

True Love Pet Care is another business willing to help out beyond gimme shelter. During my illness, Kelly with with the help of Alicia Watley Photography, is once again sponsoring a Pictures with Santa & Craft Show fundraiser. All proceeds benefit, the Hamden Animal Shelter Gift Fund to establish the first-ever Hamden Animal Shelter. This year it will be at Larson‘s place on Whitney Avenue at Lake Whitney. Details at: https://gimmeshelterhamden.org/pictures-with-santa-craft-show-fundraiser/

SPONSORS (only):

Eamonn Ryan is another Hamden merchant who is always willing to help our cause. The Playwright Irish Pub & Restaurant has opened its doors to us many times for fundraisers and came on board this year at our event at Town Center Park.

Liz at FRAMED has been a supporter of ours for quite a few years also. Liz is another merchant who is always willing to help her community. We love Liz for that and hope you check out the many services that her frame shop offers.

Soleil: Acupuncture + Naturopathic Wellness Was one of our first-time sponsors. Christina and her staff are conveniently located in central Hamden.

Thimble Island Kayak Rentals is another return sponsor. They offer breathtaking paddles in the summer for individuals or groups. They complement their summer season by delivering topsoil, mulch, and Stoney Creek pink gravel.

We would like to thank our new friends at Sleeping Giant Agility Club. They are not a merchant, but if you wish to learn about their K9 competitions, you may reach them on Facebook.

PARTICIPANTS (only):

We would also like to thank Pam Landry & Holly Masi from WOW Radio who MC’d our event.

Marni Esposito graced us once again with the sweetness of Moon Rocks Cookies.

Plus, our friends at Desmond Army Law Advocates

Erica and Nancy @GPS law

Jen with her incredible Jewelry 

Anna with her amazing homemade soaps

Hannah with her nutritional input

Helena with her pet products

And Lori Sweet for State Representative.

PART lll: (musicians)

We would also like to thank the musicians who performed at Gathering of the Paws.

• Mark McNeiece & his son, Adam, opened the day with an eclectic repertoire of 70s music – performed acoustically.

•moonboot. played second. A big thank you to James Eager, Joe Minieri, and Ron Dievert whose trio delivered a full sound feel without blowing our eardrums out.

• The Barn Rats band, Newtown CT closed out the day with their 70s music that kept the crowd going. Thank you, Jim Sheridan, Matt Schnitzler, Dennis Simonson, and Hamden’s own, Ronald Dievert.

Note: ALL MUSICIANS DONATED THEIR TIME TO SEE THE FIRST-EVER HAMDEN ANIMAL SHELTER, COME TO FRUITION! Thank you for making Gathering of the Paws so successful and we hope that you will consider them at future bookings.

Moonboot.

Gimme Shelter Hamden would also like to thank Ivan Podgwaite for providing sound. No matter where you were at Town Center Park, you could hear the annunciation of the instruments and vocals as if you were sitting in your living room. Thank you, Ivan.

PART lV: (volunteers)

We would also like to like the volunteers at this year’s Gathering of the Paws

  • Terry Anthony
  • Joann Harlow
  • Anna Mauhs
  • Janice Mancini
  • Sue White
  • Nicole Shorkey
  • Steffy Bonk Tirado
  • Karen Young
  • Amy Young
  • and ACO Barb Godejohn.

Without you handling the money, we would be nowhere.

PART V: (Supporters)

Many supporters and merchants helped with the behind-the-scenes work. One of those who come to mind is Hindinger Farm. They donated pumpkins, cornstalks, mums, etc… to enhance our event.

Another is Terry Dagradi the graphic designer behind this year‘s artwork. This year she also brought on her nephew, Gabriel Dagradi, a carpenter by trade, who made the cutouts for the photos.

There was also Tina Newman and Adam Naples who organized the field before the vendors arrived and helped decorate the stage.

It is impossible to execute these events without civic-minded, local merchants who give back to the community – and Elizabeth Hindinger, Terry DaGradi, Gabriel DaGradi, and Tina Newman & Adam Naples certainly fall into that category.

Thank You from Gimme Shelter Hamden,

Dian Viesselman, Cheryl Castellano, John Zaleski, and Lenny Young.

Original Post…

Gimme Shelter / The Town of Hamden

presents

GATHERING OF THE PAWS

A family-friendly day of adoptable pets, local artists, vendors, food trucks & more!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19th Town Center Park

(enter at Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Ave., Hamden)

11 am – 6 pm

(rain date Sunday, October 20th)

brought to you by

Spring Glen Veterinary Clinic – Twelve Percent Beer Project – The Barking Lot of Hamden

Paws ‘N Effect – True Love Pet Care – Thimble Island Kayak Rentals – Trinity on the Green

The Playwright Irish Pub & Restaurant – Sleeping Giant Agility Club – FRAMED Custom Framing

please support our sponsors!

FOOD TRUCKS:

RESCUE GROUPS:

ACTIVITIES:

Craft beer, and wine – plus FREE pet nail clippings, photo ops, pet blessings, giveaways & more!

MINIMUM SUGGESTED DONATION IS $10.

Proceeds benefit Hamden’s Animal Shelter Gift Fund for the first-ever Hamden Animal Shelter.