About us
Who we are and how it all started
Small Beginnings
ROAR was created in 2000 by a dedicated group of volunteers through the work of founder Marcia Libby. ROAR began as a simple grassroots effort to exercise dogs, unclaimed and housed at the Ridgefield Animal Shelter, and promote their adoption. This led to an initiative to raise funds to build the Ridgefield Bark Park. Eventually, this group established certified Therapy Dog Program benefitting young readers in the local elementary schools. Finally, fulfilling the need for humane care of unwanted animals, ROAR raised funds to build a shelter. ROAR opened its doors in 2005 at the Donofrio Family Animal Shelter, named in recognition of Nick and Anita Donofrio for their support and belief in our mission.
Timeline
2000 – Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue (ROAR) is founded by a group of passionate volunteers united with one mission: to treat homeless animals with the same love and care they give their own pets.
2001 – ROAR held its first public service event in April 2001 when 20 volunteers and a local Boy Scouts troop transformed the grounds of the Ridgefield Canine Shelter through cleaning and landscaping.
2003 – ROAR funded the creation of the original Ridgefield Bark Park, opening in May 2003.
That same year, ROAR established a certified Therapy Dog Program benefiting young readers in the local elementary schools as its first community outreach program. In addition, ROAR visited Ridgefield’s schools to educate students on the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats.
2005 – ROAR opened its Donofrio Family Animal Shelter, named in honor of Nick and Anita Donofrio.
Architect Sean O’Kane, AIA, contributed his expertise to design this state-of-the-art facility, and Tary Tarleton and his company, Kenosia Construction, built the shelter, initially spanning 1,800 square feet.
In 2005, ROAR’s Jessa Fund was also established by John Katz. The fund was created to assist pet owners who were experiencing overwhelming financial hardship and needed assistance with veterinary services. The fund is supported by private donations and grants.
2007 – ROAR launched its Foster Care Program. Foster volunteers began caring for ROAR’s vulnerable animals needing extra support—bottle-fed kittens, recovering pets, seniors and those who thrived better outside the shelter.
2011 – ROAR expanded its shelter, doubling it in size to create an even warmer and more welcoming haven for homeless pets. Both Sean O’Kane and Tary Tarleton provided their expertise and services for the shelter’s expansion too.
2015 – ROAR partnered with Pets for Vets® as the Pets for Vets®-ROAR-Ridgefield CT Chapter, helping to match ROAR companion animals with deserving American veterans through 2021.
2016 – ROAR’s Jamie Fund was created by Joe Loonan and his wife Linda MacDonald as a memorial to their special dog Jamie. The Jamie Fund is reserved for providing veterinary services and medical needs for cats and dogs at ROAR.
2022 – ROAR became an approved shelter partner with Pets for Patriots®, further expanding the organization’s support for military veterans. Through this partnership, veterans who were Pets for Patriots members received additional adoption fee reductions to help them find their new best friend.
2023 – ROAR presented its Diamond Star Award to Nick and Anita Donofrio in recognition of their extraordinary, unwavering support from ROAR’s earliest days, when dogs in the Ridgefield pound needed walking and socialization, to the present.
Our Mission
Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue (ROAR) was founded on the simple principle that we would provide animals in need with the same love, care and compassion we show our own family pets. Since its inception in 2000, ROAR has placed over 6,000 neglected and unwanted cats and dogs in caring homes throughout Ridgefield and our surrounding towns in Connecticut and New York.
Our Vision
ROAR was established with the core belief that animals in need deserve the same affection, attention, and empathy we offer our own beloved pets. Since our establishment in 2000, we have successfully found caring homes for over 6,000 abandoned and mistreated cats and dogs in Ridgefield and the surrounding areas.
We aim to build a society where animals are valued, honored, and spared from avoidable hardships. Our primary goal is to decrease euthanasia rates and provide assistance to overwhelmed shelters by means of education, outreach to the community, and showing empathy in our care. We aspire to eliminate prejudice against certain breeds in our locality and foster a culture of animal welfare and empathy. Would you like to join us on this meaningful journey?
