Protectors of Animals

Protectors of Animals Our mission is to increase the quality of life of all dogs and cats in the communities we serve. Donate securely online at www.poainc.org/donate
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Contribute today to Protectors of Animals through the Birdies for Charity program! We receive an additional 15% of each ...
06/12/2025

Contribute today to Protectors of Animals through the Birdies for Charity program! We receive an additional 15% of each dollar we raise, thanks to Webster Bank's support of the Bonus Bucks Pool. Donate at https://bit.ly/POA25Birdies

Lots of our cats trust people but have issues with other cats. Nine month old Luca is not one of those cats. You see, Lu...
06/12/2025

Lots of our cats trust people but have issues with other cats. Nine month old Luca is not one of those cats. You see, Luca was born outside to an abandoned mom and did not have consistent exposure to people during his critical first 8 weeks. He had some exposure. A neighbor fed the cats and tried to help, so Luca is not feral or even semi-feral. But he does have trust issues. We have been working with him since he came into the shelter two months ago and he is making amazing progress. Still, we would have to describe Luca as a cat with unlimited potential, who is currently a work in progress.

Luca wants to be where the people are. He now knows that people bring the fun, and Luca is all about the fun. He lives to play. (That is not much of an overstatement. Luca would rather play than eat and he really likes his food.) If you have a wand toy Luca will follow you anywhere. Extra points if the toy has a feather. Luca will also climb all over you for a bite of a squeeze up or to get to the toy you are holding. And he is starting to allow petting when he is tired or distracted. But reach out to pet him when he is not expecting it and he may hit. Hard. Petting, right now, is generally something he lets you do for you. He has not yet made the connection that it could be comforting for him. And picking him up is out of the question right now.

That may sound a little disheartening. But you have to remember that this is the work in progress part. There is also the unlimited potential part. You see, Luca is smart. Very smart. You can’t trick him. (Okay, you can trick him exactly once. But he remembers that trick and it never works again.) Being smart means that Luca picks up things remarkably fast. If you let him put two paws on your lap to get to a toy without you grabbing at him, he remembers that. And the next day he may be willing to put all four paws in your lap. If you pet him gently twice and stop when he starts to swish his tail, the next day he may let you pet him four times. And you can be sure that he remembers the people who play with him and respect his boundaries. And those who don't respect those boundaries.

Right now, Luca sees people as playmates who he almost trusts. Given time and consistent positive reinforcement, we think Luca will understand that people can also be caretakers, friends, and sources of affection. He isn’t there yet, but we see him get closer every day. When he makes that breakthrough, he’s going to be sensational.

Luca also likes other cats, and he learns about trusting people by watching them. We would like him to go to a home with an active cat buddy who can run around with him and also teach him by example. We would say no kids under 8 given his current trust issues. And he would obviously need a patient adopter who will keep working with Luca at his pace. The good news is that Luca’s pace has been pretty quick.

Luca isn’t the cat for everybody. But we don’t need everybody. As we often say, we only need one person if it is the right person. If you think that you might be the right person, please fill out the application form on our website and mention Luca. If you are not the right person for Luca right now, we totally understand. You can help by letting people know about him. We know there is a person out there who is perfect for Luca. We just need to find them.

Kierra ticks a lot of boxes for adopters. Young? Yep. She is about two. Beautiful? Also yes. Kierra is a stunning mix o...
06/11/2025

Kierra ticks a lot of boxes for adopters. Young? Yep. She is about two. Beautiful? Also yes. Kierra is a stunning mix of ebony, chocolate, caramel and cream. And did you see those green eyes? Wow!

Is she friendly? Oh, you cannot imagine! Kierra is sweet and affectionate, with a purr that is as big as she is. If you are lucky Kierra will even lean into you and press her forehead against yours, as if to say, "thank you for coming to visit me".

Does Kierra have any flaws? Well, she can be a little timid at first. But she is curious and gets over it quickly. And she has not been a fan of other cats. (It is possible that, as tiny as she is, she was bullied in the past.) So if you are looking for a second or third cat, Kierra is probably not a match. But other than that, we think she is pretty perfect.

To find out more or to make an appointment to meet the available cats and kittens, please start by filling out the application on our website. Our placement team will be in touch by email to answer your questions, walk you through our adoption process, and make you an appointment to meet the cats. And if you’re not looking to adopt right now, you can still help Kierra by spreading the word about her.

Maggie’s summer glow up is in progress! ☀️ She may be carrying a little extra fluff, but don't let that fool you, this 3...
06/10/2025

Maggie’s summer glow up is in progress! ☀️ She may be carrying a little extra fluff, but don't let that fool you, this 3-4 year old bulldog is splashing her way into fitness one pool party at a time!

Maggie's on a wellness journey filled with daily walks, low-cal meals, and lots of zoomies-and she's loving every second of it! Whether she's doing laps in the kiddie pool or showing off her wiggly strut, she's proving that fitness can be fun.

She's a total people pup-loves belly rubs, is so sweet and playful, and always ready to make new friends. She's also been friendly with all the dogs she's met at the shelter and enjoys having a walking buddy to keep her motivated!

Maggie's looking for a forever home that will cheer her on and celebrate every milestone with her. She's ready to trade in shelter life for couch cuddles and backyard zoomies. To adopt this bathing beauty, fill out an application at poainc.org and contact her adoption counselor with any questions at [email protected]

Tails From the Shelter:Sometimes in rescue you have to deal with the unexpected. The abandoned “kitten” you agreed to he...
06/10/2025

Tails From the Shelter:

Sometimes in rescue you have to deal with the unexpected. The abandoned “kitten” you agreed to help turns out to be a tiny, fragile senior. The friendly cat… isn’t. Tests come back showing something you were hoping not to see.

But not all surprises are negative.

Protectors of Animals was contacted about a stray cat. A local woman had taken the cat in during one of the really bad rainstorms we had during the last few weeks. She said the cat was
friendly and apparently abandoned. The woman wanted to make sure the cat was safe, but was not able to keep her. We agreed to help.

When the cat came in on Saturday, we saw that she was just as friendly girl as promised. She was also pregnant. We arranged for a vet visit later this week.

But the cat, now named Mabel, had other ideas. Between late Sunday night and early yesterday morning Mabel delivered her six kittens. In the shelter. A bit of a surprise for our Monday morning Clean & Feed Team!

All are currently doing fine. We had everyone checked out and then had them whisked off to a foster home. Mabel is a proud Mama and is taking great care of her six mini-mes, while we take care of her.

Happy Birthday, little ones! Welcome to the family.

One smile can change the world🌟and Willow has a smile that could brighten anyones day. Willow’s all wags, wiggle, and on...
06/09/2025

One smile can change the world🌟and Willow has a smile that could brighten anyones day.

Willow’s all wags, wiggle, and one winning smile — the kind of pup who turns heads and warms hearts everywhere she goes!

She’s an affectionate 7 month old Pyr mix who has lived with cats, kids and seems to be dog-friendly at the shelter. Willow knows a few commands and is eager to learn more. She’s the perfect mix of playful energy and snuggle buddy. Interested in meeting this beautiful girl, go to poainc.org to fill out an application and email her adoption coordinator with any questions at [email protected] 🐾

Say hello to Captain! This 3-year-old chatty boy wants nothing more than to be right where you are at all times. He love...
06/09/2025

Say hello to Captain! This 3-year-old chatty boy wants nothing more than to be right where you are at all times. He loves flopping against the floor (and even his human) to ask for pets and belly rubs and his favorite past time is taking naps on the windowsill. Captain is a big lover boy who trusts new people easily and is learning to love play time, especially if it involves pouncing on something!

If you’re looking for a big orange boy, who wants to give and receive endless amounts of love, Captain is the one for you! If you want to find out more, please fill out the application and be sure to mention Captain. Because he is in a foster home currently special arrangements will have to be made to bring him in. Captain is FIV+ but that doesn’t mean that he cannot live a normal, healthy life. Our placement team can talk to you all about FIV and what it means.

Are you looking for the 3 B's? A bestie who's a brindle beauty? 🩷 Do you find a snaggletooth adorable on a pup? Well swe...
06/08/2025

Are you looking for the 3 B's? A bestie who's a brindle beauty? 🩷 Do you find a snaggletooth adorable on a pup? Well sweet Harley has not just one, but two snaggleteeth, and she is the most adorable and affectionate French bulldog mix we know! Our volunteers have named this two-year-old cutie Harley because she's one tough little girl who overcame some hardships before coming to us. She loves being right by your side, enjoys going for walks, and she has done very well with other dogs at our shelter. She also loves climbing onto your lap and getting belly scratches. She'll draw plenty of attention when she's out with you at farmer's markets or in pet stores, but if you want to keep all that cuteness to yourself, Harley will love being cozy at home snuggled next to you. Better yet, if you like to sleep with background noise like a fan, there's no need with Harley in your home as she has the cutest little snores! 💤

If Harley sounds like the perfect roommate for you, please fill out an application at poainc.org and email [email protected]! 🐾

Adoptable Rosie is happy to report that 16 cats and kittens were adopted from Protectors of Animals this week! Shelter c...
06/08/2025

Adoptable Rosie is happy to report that 16 cats and kittens were adopted from Protectors of Animals this week! Shelter cats Orion and Lirio were adopted yesterday, and Millie, a foster to adopt cat was formally adopted. Café cats Ferris, George, MiniMoo and Hendrix were also adopted this week.

Cupid, the shyer kitten who was not chosen last week, was one of the first kittens adopted this week! Sometimes it just takes a little time and faith that the right person is going to come along. In addition to Cupid, kittens Rhetoric, Finnegan, Calix & Phoenix, Croissant & Scone, and Audrey & Cole are waking up in new homes this morning. Congratulations to all of the adopters and adoptees!

But Rosie would also like us to remind you that if you weren’t able to adopt this week, there are lots of great cats and kittens still available. Like… erm… Rosie. So if you’ve been needing someone who will make your house feel more like a home, fill out that application and make an appointment to meet all of our available cats and kittens. Come in with an open mind and an open heart. And maybe you will wake up on a Sunday morning very soon and read about the adoption of your new family member!

🧹Spring Cleaning!? Protectors of Animals is collecting gently used items for our FUNDrive. Drop off:🗓️ Friday, June 13⏰...
06/07/2025

🧹Spring Cleaning!? Protectors of Animals is collecting gently used items for our FUNDrive.

Drop off:
🗓️ Friday, June 13
⏰ 8am-3pm
📍 POA parking lot
(in back of building)
144 Main Street
East Hartford

We are collecting (for more details check flyer):
👕 Clothing and textiles - please pack up in kitchen trash bags or paper lawn and leaf bags
🫖 Household items & toys - please pack up in boxes
📚Media items & books - please keep media and books separate from other boxed items

Drop-off will take place at the Protectors of Animals parking lot (in the back of the building) at 144 Main Street, East Hartford. To help with the flow of drop offs, we ask that you sign up using our tracker with an estimated time you’ll be by and what you may bring. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BeqoXBlHoETHVEQg4TSsNE45VdYvGHi54OzKTrQiK_E/edit?gid=0 =0

🌟We are also in need of the use of a cargo van/moving truck so we can transport the items we collect to Savers. It would be extremely appreciated for any help an individual or businesses could offer for this fundraiser as we are trying to raise money for the care of our adoptable pets. 🌟

Thank you so much for your support!! 🐾💛

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions or if you are able to help support our efforts by providing transportstion of the items. 🐶 🐱

At not even a full year old, Simba is a big boy with the stateliness of an older gentleman despite his adolescent age. R...
06/07/2025

At not even a full year old, Simba is a big boy with the stateliness of an older gentleman despite his adolescent age. Reserved and regal, he stays out of the fray and hangs back from the crowd. It’s almost as if he doesn’t know how big he is and has a tiny cat personality trapped in an outsized body. Maybe someday he’ll gain the confidence to realize he’s king of the jungle. Or maybe he’ll always be the gentle giant he is right now.

Simba came to us reluctantly, content with his prior life, and devastated to face a major disruption in his status quo. He’s been taking it hard and hanging back. We’ve seen this before with other cats, and we’ve been telling him that better days are coming. Someone will arrive who will make sure his days are safe and secure. Which is all that Simba really wants.

He’s not flashy. He doesn’t live for a life on the edge. He wants predictability and gentleness, and we know there is someone out there for him who wants the same from their furry friend. If you are that someone, know that Simba will be an understated yet genuinely grateful companion who will treasure the quiet, protected days he is offered.

To find out more or to make an appointment to meet the available, cats and kittens, please start by filling out the application on our website. (Link in comments) Our placement team will be in touch by email to answer your questions and make you an appointment to meet the available cats. If you are not able to adopt right now, you can still help Simba by letting people know about him.

Happy Tail Adoption Update 🎉🐾The Tobster, Big T, Tobi with an “i” and never a “y”. This 100 pound hunk came to us as an ...
06/06/2025

Happy Tail Adoption Update 🎉🐾

The Tobster, Big T, Tobi with an “i” and never a “y”. This 100 pound hunk came to us as an owner surrender out of the Meriden pound. Tobi always waited patiently against his kennel door, sitting on his big mattress looking at us with the sweetest face. But once his door opened he’d give us a run for our money with his exuberance for affection and overzealous leash-biting! But Tobi was just frustrated that we didn’t understand how FUN the leashes looked just dancing and wiggling around all the time right in front of his face. Tobi was also a ball connoisseur. He loved playing catch and carrying them on his walks - except for when he wanted to drop them every two feet to make you pick it up and throw it back. Because that was fun too!! This fluffy boy was just a puppy hiding in a [very] big body.

His new parents met Tobi at the Mill Street Market Place Earth Day event and fell in love. Their older dog, Tully, had recently lost her sister and had always had more confidence when paired with another pup. When we first all met with Tully, Tobi was overly excited and came on a bit strong. Tully was sweet, but she was clearly wondering what this big guy’s deal was. Even witnessing Tobi’s leash biting they were still undeterred, so we scheduled a second visit to let the dogs get acquainted more. This visit went a little better, with Tobi settling in and Tully loosening up to the goofy fluff monster. Our third visit went even better. The two were off leash peacefully, playing and wandering around the house and yard. Tobi stayed that night and never came back!

His new parents say Tobi is a great dog. He’s settled in with Tully, he’s still a big ball fan, and he loves his walks and car rides. They’ve even started training so Tobi can truly be his best self! This one took several visits and the patience and dedication of Tobi’s new parents and letting the dogs get to know each other slowly. Perfect pawrents and a perfect happy ending for Big T! ❤️

Address

144 Main Street
East Hartford, CT
06118

Telephone

+18605690722

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