Self-storage facility sets aside unit for donations to NL dog pound

New London — A Bank Street self-storage facility has set aside a unit to collect donations for the New London Animal Control Facility, which was heavily damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

The 10-foot-by-10-foot unit at the New London Self-Storage facility at 960 Bank St. is mostly empty now, but owners Helen and Len Goldstein are hoping it fills up with supplies soon.

“We’re just wanting to help out,” Helen Goldstein said. “Whatever we get, we’ll gladly take and put in the unit for them. There’s plenty of room.”

Animal Control Officers Michael Martin and Tonya Kloiber have been displaced from the city dog pound at 120 Chester St. since the winds of Sandy brought down a maple tree onto the roof of the structure on Oct. 29. Several dogs were displaced, too, and were taken to Montville’s dog pound. There’s no timetable for a return, and the officers are temporarily using the Truman Street police substation as an office.

Helen Goldstein said both her sons have dogs, which turned Len into a dog lover. It ultimately comes down to community good, though, she said.

“We feel bad for these guys,” she said. “They just sounded like they needed help.”

The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and can be reached at (860) 442-0008.

—Sasha Goldstein