What is an animal shelter?
According to Webster, it is an establishment that houses and feeds stray animals. I have been feeding outside cats at the animal shelter before Mr. Al McLure retired at the Secaucus animal control.
Mr. McLure would allow a restricted area for the feral cats to seek shelter from the night and the cold. This arrangement ended abruptly without an alternate replacement when he retired.
What I saw on these extremely cold night was heartbreaking, cats leaning against the wall where they were previously allowed to enter. With whatever I had, I approached the animal control officer in charge and told him that I was willing to donate whatever it took to put a small shed up for these cats. $2,500 to $3,000 was the answer; I agreed. My check of $2,500 was delivered and in return, a shed was installed with a radiator, a heat lamp and shelves. The balance of $500 was donated the following year toward the purchase of a snow blower for the shelter.
Life would go on merrily if a certain thing had not occurred as of late.
A fellow Secaucus resident contacted me to inform me of an old shed sitting on a lot that was up for sale and was available if I wanted to move it to the outside of the shelter for the cats. The cost of hiring movers, though, was quite high. Words of my intention reached the animal shelter but it was turned down, because it was considered to be a "piece of ----", even though it was offered to be repainted and restored, plus moved to the far side, away from plain site. This piece of ---- is extra refuge from the bitter snow winter storms.
Let us talk about "Goldie", originally named "Golden Girl", and "Sunshine" to another animal lover.
Goldie was from the first colony of cats I fed. Not too long ago, an article in the local newspaper featuring the Secaucus Animal Shelter included her picture. Very recently, knowing that Goldie had very little time left because of her weakness and her age, one of the animal shelter employees, took her inside to care for her. However, he was told by another animal control officer to inform me to "get her out of here", and to either take her home with me, or take her to the vet and "do the right thing." Goldie was in the shelter for two days before she died in peace. How was this cat, whose picture appeared on an article featuring the shelter, who lived in the shed I requested built, be so easily shunned and commanded to "get out" by someone who is supposed to take care of animals?
Last month, on a very cold night, I delivered to the animal shelter a small kitten that was found crying on the roadside by the outlet and requested them to take her in and put her up for adoption. Later, I was told by another animal control officer that I cannot bring cats in like that anymore. I told him that over the years, I brought in only a handful of cats that were in distress (I have adopted more cats into my home than sought help from this shelter) The truth is, I am caring for more cats that are rejected by the shelter living on the outside of the fence.
On a last note, while I was feeding, I have seen regular volunteers unable to enter the shelter to work because whoever made the arrangements from the shelter was not available. I agree that volunteers must have arrangements made in order to get in, but I do not understand why they are paying for empty visits after these arrangements are made. I am not discouraged because during the course of performing their jobs for the animal shelter I saw many commendable good deeds, true efforts, extra kindness to animals and even to myself personally.
Anyone who is compassionate about homeless animals will agree to the importance of an animal shelter in a community. It is my deepest wish that it will all work out for the animals that seek shelter.
C.Y.
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