Officials quell rumors about animal shelter

BY KRISTIN BOYD
Correspondent

OLD BRIDGE - Township Business Administrator Michael Jacobs is learning how fast rumors spread.

For the past two weeks, many animal lovers have been buzzing about Sayreville possibly taking over Old Bridge's "no-kill" animal shelter. And in just days, an ad hoc group made up of residents, shelter volunteers and representatives from area animal organizations had formed to fight the rumored takeover.

"I think it was misunderstood in the public," Jacobs said. "We haven't done anything yet. We haven't made any decisions. I'm just getting information. The whole intention here is to make the kennel better."

Jacobs met recently with Sayreville officials on a separate issue. During the meeting, officials mentioned that Sayreville's animal control officer was retiring and asked if Old Bridge would consider any type of shared services, he said.

And with that, the rumor was started.

Still, nearly two dozen members of the newly formed Friends of Old Bridge Shelter attended Monday night's Township Council meeting to ask if there was any truth to the rumor and pleaded with officials to leave the kennel as is.

Evie Litwok, of Freehold, spoke on behalf of the group, which wants the kennel to remain a no-kill shelter. Members fear if privatization or shared services become a reality, the shelter will become like others in the area, where animals are euthanized if they're not adopted in 10 days.

The shelter, they said, would also lose its community component if services are privatized or combined. The shelter hosts numerous outreach and education programs for the volunteers, students and those involved with local organizations such as Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

The group also fears privatization or shared services will leave Sonja Gunderson, head of the kennel, without a job. Litwok said Gunderson is the "heart and soul" of the shelter, and members described her as passionate, caring and dedicated.

"She makes the animals feel safe and secure, and it's time to make her feel safe and secure," Litwok said, as many in the audience applauded.

In addition, the group told Mayor James Phillips and council members that combining services is a financial mistake. Litwok said the shelter has a $30,000 annual budget, but cat food alone costs about $25,000 per year.

"If we throw in some dog food, that would take up your entire budget on one line item," Litwok said. "There wouldn't be enough money left over to open the cans."

To help out, volunteers donate time, resources, supplies, food, equipment and medication in addition to their time and resources, Litwok said.

With everything added, she said, "You're talking about a $1 million facility that you're getting for $30,000. ... You are not really paying for the bulk of the shelter and you have a community that's willing to pay for it."

Litwok could not say after the meeting where the group got the $30,000 figure, but township officials said it likely came from estimates made during budget time.

Administrators at the shelter estimated there would be a $30,000 difference between the money the shelter would likely gain in revenues and the money it planned to spend, Jacobs said. The township pays that difference, he said.

For example, if the shelter estimates it will make $40,000 in revenues and spend $60,000, the township will cover the $20,000 difference, Jacobs said. The money, he added, is paid out of the township's general-fund budget.

The shelter's estimate was low for the 2005-06 fiscal year, and the facility spent $129,000, putting it at a $40,000 deficit, Jacobs said. The township is now paying that $40,000, he said.

To do that, the shelter received an additional $40,000 in the 2006-07 budget, he said. In addition, the facility is receiving another $50,000 for capital improvements.

Phillips said he received several phone calls and e-mails regarding the shelter rumor. He said shared services might be considered as a cost-saving measure but that no discussions, contracts or agreements have been made with Sayreville.

At the council meeting, Phillips pledged his commitment to the shelter, saying he wants to continually improve the facility. To do that, he added, the township must research all of its options, including shared services.

"I went to the kennel last week, and found a core of volunteers and [the kennel] in good shape," Phillips said. "I don't want to maintain the status quo. I want to make it better. ... I think something must change."

Phillips and Jacobs plan to work with the Friends of Old Bridge Shelter as well as Matty Giuliano, an agent with the New Jersey SPCA, to figure out the best ways to keep the kennel up and running and in good condition.

As the council members moved onto another topic, Phillips and group members met in the hallway to continue their discussion. They spoke for about 15 minutes, and both sides tossed out concerns and ideas.

"We have a lot to talk about," Phillips said. "We're just exploring possibilities. With your input, we'll move forward."