North Bergen resident and activist Toni Ann Collins has spent the past 13 years of her life fostering stray animals until they could find a permanent home.
As the stray population in Hudson County increases, and towns scramble to find shelters, Collins has dedicated more and more time serving local animal rescue groups Animal Lifesavers, Inc., and the Closter Animal Welfare Society (CLAWS). With limited resources, Collins is now launching a fundraiser to help support a cause that has always hit home.
Collins, a longtime citizen of North Bergen, gave up her corporate job with Sony to take care of her late grandmother. Because of the overwhelming number of stray animals in her neighborhood, she often fostered local cats and dogs until they got new homes.
Because of the weak economy, Hudson County has been hit particularly hard.
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“We don’t have a facility,” said Collins, “and we don’t have enough volunteers.” Collins also mentioned that although the group works with nearby Petsmart locations, there is a long waitlist of cats waiting to be trapped, spayed, neutered, and brought inside.
“We’re bursting at the seams,” added Collins, who noted that both Animal Lifesavers and CLAWS do not euthanize animals.
With resources depleted, Collins has organized a fundraiser at the Bonefish Grill in Secaucus on Saturday, Feb. 25. She is currently attempting to get local celebrities and political officials to attend the event, a task she is certain she can accomplish.
“I’m more of a corporate business persona,” said Collins, a former Corporate Relocation specialist. “I thought I would try and utilize my skill sets to help the organization in a more efficient way.”
Tickets for the event will go on sale Monday, Dec. 19. It benefits both CLAWS and Animal Lifesavers.
Countywide problem
Because of the weak economy, Collins said, Hudson County has been hit particularly hard with the issue of stray cats.
“Hudson County is different than Bergen County,” said Collins. “We’re looking at a different demographic. People that have been hurt the most by the economy are opening their doors and just letting [their pets] go.”
She added, “Because so many are indoor cats, they’re not spayed or neutered. So they go out and they reproduce.”
In fact, according to Collins, CLAWS is planning to cut ties with Hudson County and Animal Lifesavers due to a lack of resources and support.
“It’s been an amicable split,” said Collins. “We understand why they’re doing it, which is why I’ve now stepped up with this fundraiser.”
Collins also mentioned that a large part of her enjoyment in placing animals stems from the joy it gives to the families who take them in. She and her mother recently helped find a pit bull a home with a recent widower.
“I don’t know who was happier,” said Collins. “That’s my biggest success story.”
“We don’t just hand the animals off,” continued Collins. “We have a meet and greet, and a voluntary fee to help cover our expenses. All we’re interested in is helping the animals and helping families.”
Contact Collins at tapp4fun@yahoo.com for tickets, event info, donations, or volunteer inquiries. For more information on Animal Lifesavers Inc, visit animallifesavers.com.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.