Home Depot is a critical partner
As we close out the year at Dog Star Rescue, our new building is truly starting to feel like home. Not because everything is finished (we are getting there!), but because of the incredible partnerships that have come together to help us move forward in meaningful ways.
One of the most impactful moments this season came from Home Depot. Their Bloomfield and South Windsor CT teams stepped in and donated both their time and materials to help us complete a much needed expansion of our kennel space. This new kennel is not only significantly larger, it was designed with intention. The addition of solid washable walls improves the overall flow of our kennel and directly supports our commitment to sanitation and disease prevention. Having walls that can be fully hosed down and sanitized as needed is a game changer for the health and safety of our dogs and our volunteers.
We are deeply grateful that Home Depot supports our mission. With so many of our supporters also being hands on DIYers themselves, it feels especially fitting. When our community needs tools, guidance or inspiration, you know you can count on Home Depot to be a place you can go for help.
More than building fences – creating freedom
We are also thrilled to announce a new partnership with Top Rail Fence. Their team worked closely with us to design and implement our STAR Yards surrounding the new building. These yards have officially been installed and have increased our outdoor play space by more than four times its original size.
These fenced in yards give our dogs something incredibly important. Freedom. The freedom to run, explore, sniff, roll and simply be dogs. For many of the dogs who come to Dog Star Rescue, safely fenced outdoor space is something they have never experienced before. The STAR Yards allow for individual play time when needed and also provide space for much needed supervised group play. This kind of enrichment is essential for both physical and emotional well-being while our dogs wait for their forever homes.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Top Rail Fence for their creativity, expertise and partnership. If you are considering fencing for your home or business, we highly recommend connecting with their team for both residential and commercial needs. Be sure to keep an eye out at upcoming Dog Star Rescue events where you will have the opportunity to speak directly with their representatives and learn more about the options they offer.
Landscaping that helps make dogs and volunteers’ lives better
We also want to recognize the incredible contribution from SavATree. Over the course of over a day and a half, their team donated strenuous hands on labor along with specialized equipment to remove trees and clear critical areas of our property. This work made a meaningful and immediate impact on how our space can be used. Thanks to their efforts, we now have safe and accessible event parking for families visiting Dog Star Rescue while searching for their forever new best friend. Just as importantly, these cleared areas allowed us to create walking paths that our dogs now enjoy daily with our volunteers. These paths give our pups the chance to decompress, explore and spend quality time with both familiar volunteers and potential adopters, building the kind of connections that help dogs find homes.
We are deeply grateful to SavATree for showing up with such care, professionalism and generosity. Their willingness to put in long hours of physical work has helped shape our property into a more welcoming, functional and enriching environment for dogs, people and our entire community.
The best volunteers an all-volunteer organization could ask for
We also never want to forget that all of this is possible because of our volunteers. The partnerships that made these projects happen were built through dedication, countless hours and genuine care for our mission. Our volunteers worked side by side with these teams, offering their time, energy and love to help bring these spaces to life. Their commitment is the foundation that allows Dog Star Rescue to grow and thrive and we are endlessly grateful for every person who shows up for our dogs.
Because of strong partnerships, dedicated volunteers and a shared belief in second chances, our new building is becoming a place where dogs can heal, grow and simply be dogs while they wait for the families they deserve.
Stay tuned for more information about when we will officially open our new headquarters doors!