To the Editor:
What is happening with the animal shelter and also the progress of the TNR program? The Hudson County Animal League and Kathy Henderson’s Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation are “chomping at the bit” to get started with helping these animals. It’s taking way too long.
The HCAL was promised a piece of land by the city approximately six years ago. The mayor at that time along with the MUA consented to sign the deed over to a piece of property near East Fifth Street to the HCAL for the shelter to be built, stipulating that they would have time to make it work. If by chance they couldn’t, the property would revert back to the city. Remember, there was an article in the paper showing the ceremony. The league was told one thing but now hear rumblings of OTB with a possible parking lot on the site. After being told about the city donating this piece of land at the council meeting, HCAL flew out to the Midwest and spent HCAL funds to have Hounds Quarters draw up the blueprints. We desperately need a shelter. Give them that deed and give them a chance! The league has had the funds to build the shelter for years and just needs the property promised to begin the process. We need to be an animal friendly and senior friendly town.
On a similar note, the Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation have their traps “locked and loaded” and ready to go. They, too, are just waiting on the city’s approval. But no one is giving the go ahead or getting back to them. It’s been a long time now, and your contributing to the problem. It is now almost springtime and these cats are still roaming “unfixed” and its breeding season! It’s a year now for them, too, or maybe longer. By waiting and doing nothing, you’re allowing a thousand more cats to be dumped into the streets. Where does the responsibility lie? Where’s the common denominator? Let’s get it done already people. The organization could have had most trapped and fixed with vaccines by now, cutting the numbers by half. You’re just adding to this problem. You’re allowing thousands of young cats to be born and roam not fixed, and then you want to trap and euthanize. It’s not right.
These organizations have the money. It’s not coming from the taxpayer or city. By procrastinating and putting them off, they are just incurring additional needless costs. These groups need the “green light” from the city. They can be using their funds to help the causes instead of wasting money and time. The longer we wait, the bigger the problem. The monies come from charities, grants, volunteers, donations, fundraisers, other organizations, etc. They can get grants if just recognized by the city. The groups have many supporters that are getting frustrated because nothing is being done. How long do they wait? The groups are not going anywhere.
Apologies for being short, but let’s get it done and move on.
D. ELIOT