Secaucus: An animal friendly community
Animals are a big part of our lives and important family members. More than half of households in the U.S. own a pet. Statistics say that people with pets live longer healthier lives. Our pets keep us moving so we get more exercise, as in the case of walking dogs. Pets help lower blood pressure and lift our moods. Animals are also used in hospitals for therapy to aid in healing from injury or illness. While everyone loves a puppy or a kitten, older animals make great companion pets for seniors who live alone, and the disabled.
Our community is very fortunate to have a no-kill animal shelter and a remarkably high adoption rate for dogs and cats. Sadly that is not the case in many other areas. With only a few local dogs coming into the facility on Meadowland Parkway, I am very pleased to say that the Secaucus Animal Shelter ( www.sasnj.org) is participating in an outreach program to save dogs on Doggie Death Row in other parts of the country. Euthanasia is not uncommon in animal shelters that are overloaded with unwanted dogs and cats. Healthy young adoptable animals are being put down to control populations.
Since reorganizing our shelter, we have rescued and adopted out several young beagles and other breeds from neighboring states. This breed is known to consist of hunting dogs and is often abandoned by the owners and dumped at a shelter or on the streets. These animals are very friendly and it is heartbreaking to see them destroyed. Holly Hansen, veterinarian and shelter manager, has networked with shelters near and far to bring in more family friendly, adoptable dogs.
This past weekend, we acquired a litter of five Blue Tick Boxer and German Pointer mix puppies that were examined by our vets here and medically cleared for adoption. Two of these 10-week-old puppies have already been adopted by local families. The adoption process includes screening individuals who have an interest in adopting these beautiful dogs as family pets. To view these dogs as well as other companion animals, go to the town website www.secaucusnj.org and click on the shelter link.
The Secaucus Shelter (www.sasnj.org) also has a new satellite location at the Community Center at 145 Front St., which will be open on weekends to make it easier for working families to plan an adoption of a pet. We have many dedicated volunteers who spend time caring for these orphaned animals. Third ward councilwoman Susan Pirro is our liaison for the animal shelter. Susan is doing a great job with the shelter and spends a great deal of her own time on shelter projects to benefit the facility.
Secaucus is also very fortunate to have strong partnerships with the corporate community when it comes to the food pantry, concerts in the park, and special holiday events. Among them are two animal-based companies that go above and beyond for the animal community. Hartz Industries Pet Division has sponsored the local shelter. Hartz Pet also designed, constructed, and funded the dog run at Mill Creek Point. Freshpet is another Secaucus company that supports the community and its animals. Freshpet bases its products on all natural ingredients for optimum pet health. The company has already donated 1,200 pounds of pet food for our furry friends.
We are in the process of forming a 501 C3 for animal activists interested in making donations to the shelter. The non-profit organization would enable going forward with fundraisers to raise money to expand the size of the shelter and acquire equipment and supplies.
I encourage you to visit the shelter on Meadowlands Parkway ( www.sasnj.org) or the satellite location on Front Street. The shelter is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the satellite location on weekends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Any way we can help to save a life is a good thing. Together we can make a difference in an orphaned animal’s life.