An Insider’s View of Montclair Township Animal Shelter

1. Please tell us about Montclair Township Animal Shelter.

The shelter was built in the 90’s and was originally run by PAWS as a non-profit vendor. Shelter operations and animal control functions were taken over by the township in 2009. We serve Montclair, Nutley and Verona.

The mission:

• To care for and protect abandoned, abused, neglected and unwanted animals in our community.
• To promote animal welfare and owner responsibility through programs, education and services that mutually benefits animals and people.
• To promote animal welfare and owner responsibility through programs, education and services that mutually benefits animals and people.
• To place adoptable animals in permanent homes.
• To increase the adoptability of animals through behavior modification, training, socialization and environmental enrichment so that they stay in their adoptive homes.

2. What’s the biggest achievement you’ve accomplished and what’s the greatest difficulty you’ve encountered?

Our biggest accomplishment has been the tremendous growth with our volunteer and junior volunteer programs. We have increased adoptions, trap-neuter-return, and volunteer hours by over 100 % in the past year.

The shelter struggles with the community still thinking we’re PAWS ( which still operates as a foster-based rescue in the Montclair area and is one of our amazing community partners!). We have worked very hard over the past year to analyze the needs of the animal community and address them. We are constantly struggling for resources to spay/neuter community cats (free-roaming, unowned cats) to decrease the population. In addition, wildlife issues are abundant. Living in close proximity with wildlife is a wonderful chance to educate children but many residents don’t want to live harmoniously with them.

3. Early April, the shelter had a fire. Can you help us learn more about the incident and how does the community respond to it?

The fire is still under investigation and we are currently searching for temporary space for the shelter to ensure continuity of operations. The kennel area was burned and is in the process of being demolished. We are fortunate that the rest of the building is intact. Thanks to volunteers, staff and passersby, each and every animal was rescued from the burning building. Our veterinarian of record, Dr. Liz Houston and Dr. Cameron rushed to the scene, examining animals and provided medical care. Within just a few hours, all animals were placed into foster care with supplies donated by Mike’s Feed Farm and Petco. Currently, the Friends of the Montclair Township Animal Shelter are raising money to rebuild. Donations coupled with insurance money from the fire will allow us to have the state of the art facility our towns deserve.

4. Do you get involved in any local events?

We try to attend every single community event we get invited to! This is the best way to gain awareness and support and the best way to find new homes for our animals!

5. May is the National Pet Month. Do you have anything you’d like to tell the neighborhood?

Make sure you are a responsible owner. Socialize your pet, license him or her, and we recommend that you microchip your pet which is a form of permanent identification. We provide the service at the shelter at a discounted rate of $20. It is the most likely method for pet reunification there is. Keep your cat inside for his or her safety and walk your dog regularly to ensure a happy, healthy pet.

[Editor: Learn about how to travel with your pets here: Tips for Driving with Your Dogs and Cats in New Jersey]

6. What’s the volunteer program at the shelter? How can people help with your operation?

Volunteering is a bit more challenging these days since we do not have a facility but we are still looking for foster homes. A foster application can be found here: http://montclairanimalshelter.blogspot.com/p/adopt-pet.html Once we identify a temporary sheltering site, normal volunteer opportunities will be available such as socializing cats and walking dogs. We are also looking for people to help promote our animals on social media.

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