Animal Control May Have New Vehicle by November

If all goes as planned, Avon-Canton Animal Control will have its 2011 Dodge Caravan by Thanksgiving.

Waggin' for Wheels announced it reached the $20,200 target over the course of about four months, so thankfulness is something Beverly LaPlume, animal control officer for Avon and Canton, has for the support and donations from the community.

“It’s time to have that vehicle for residents and people who donated for Waggin’ for Wheels. It's such a nice thing that people so many people donated," LaPlume said Thursday. "It will be such a great asset for Animal Control and residents to have such a nice vehicle for dogs to be transported in."

The news is good timing, as the current animal control van, a 1998 Ford Windstar, was recently being serviced for two weeks after mechanical issues, including power steering problems. During that time, LaPlume rode in a cruiser and she just got the van back last Friday.

Capri Frank, project manager for Waggin' for Wheels and Miller Foods’ Oma’s Pride, said that the current vehicle is not adequate "to get the job done," so a new vehicle is crucial.

“It’s a great feeling. I'm happy for Bev and to know the community all came together. It’s really about her because it’s difficult to raise money for a vehicle," Frank said. "The vehicle isn’t really what people are giving to. Almost everyone [who donated] has a connection to her and her job in the community with the animals."

Mitchell Auto Group, of Simsbury, one of the sponsors for Waggin' for Wheels, donated $450 from a portion of its August sales for the new vehicle and have agreed to do a trade-in with the old vehicle.

There are still some logistics that need to be worked out, including some pending checks for donation commitments. The Avon Police Department is working with the town's Finance Department regarding the "appropriate method to secure the vehicle in accordance with town policy," Avon Police Chief Mark Rinaldo wrote in a Sept. 29 letter to Town Manager Brandon Robertson.The matter will be discussed at the Town Council meeting Thursday night at 7:30 p.m in the Selectmen's Conference room in Town Hall, Building One.

"This achievement in our difficult economic times is just one example of the police department's commitment to collaborate with the community in the best interest of the town of Avon," Rinaldo wrote in the letter.

Once the new vehicle is purchased it will need to be detailed and outfitted for animal control, LaPlume said. Police radio equipment will also be installed. If LaPlume has it by November, she said she plans on bringing it to Miller Foods' Thanksgiving tent for the public to see mid-November.