Dedicated to reducing the outdoor cat population through Trap-Neuter-Return since 2000
Community Connection
Legislative and Community Updates that Affect New Jersey Residents
Life outside for cats is not easy. The way to "no kill" is not through ignoring the cat problem but making sure every cat is fixed and negligent feeders are addressed by municipalities. It starts with a chain of command and accountability.
Animal Control Accountability
We fully support this bill and the changes it proposes:
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Chain of command from local to state level for animal control
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Mandating the state's published Municipal Animal Control Best Practices
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Establishment of a grant program to assist municipalities with animal control program compliance
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Compassion for Community Cats
Our experience with TNR all over NJ and the obstacles faced by clinics and animal control have allowed us to weigh in with our "paws on the ground" knowledge - we support inclusion of TNR surgery at participating volunteer clinics and mandated spay/neuter, and are requesting consideration of some edits that still preserve quality of life for cats and humans by making animal control part of the equation.
Cats like Stevie suffer outside through litter after litter. No colony can humanely exist without a caretaker committed to no more cats born outside. Animal control must be able to intervene and intake colonies that are not being cared for by feeders.
These 9 sick kittens were left to suffer outside in a town with paid HLEOs and no municipal shelter. Neighbors threatened to hurt them and dumped them at the door of a new resident. The town's police and animal control contractor did nothing except provide a list of defunct rescues and dog kennels.
What are residents to do when rescues are full and towns refuse to establish open admission shelters?
Humane Law Enforcement Funds from Animal Control
We love that HLE is getting some attention and that this bill is drawing attention to the vital part that HLEOs and enforcement play in NJ quality of life. But we hear from residents every day that animal control simply can't respond to calls due to lack of resources. We are grateful for the chance to discuss edits to this bill that will result in improvements for both HLE and AC without moving funds away from animal control, with robust programs for both enforcement and sheltering.
Chiara's Law
Believe us, we dream of a world where no animal is euthanized for space in municipal shelters. Unfortunately, this bill will serve to exacerbate a problem that is already rampant in NJ: animal control and shelters refusing to pick up stray or unwanted animals with nowhere else to go. It's led us to the animal overpopulation crisis where animals are abandoned, hoarded or handed to abusers.
We look forward to discussing this bill and proposing some revisions that let our state do the work it takes to become "no kill" through prevention instead of squeezing a struggling system that needs resources, training, and support.
Magic the cat suffered with a shattered pelvis and poisoned body for over a week in a NJ town that refuses to answer calls about cats. Their usual excuse?
The shelter is full. We don't want to make hard decisions.
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Was this the kindest outcome for Magic, who dragged himself begging for food and ultimately succumbing to his injuries? Until overpopulation is addressed through prevention, "no kill" inside a shelter is just pushed outside to "slow kill."