HOPE ANIMAL RESOURCE CENTER FINAL ZONING BOARD HEARING SET FOR MARCH 22 at 7pm

The animals need your voice!

Hope Animal Resource Center's final zoning application hearing will be on Monday, March 22nd, at 7:00 pm, at the Hamilton Township Town Hall. We've been overwhelmed by the presence of supporters at each of our many hearings. Your presence and your show of support for progressive animal sheltering are incredibly important for our application, as we need to garner five affirmative votes from the seven member zoning board to make our project a reality.

Before you attend, we want to make crystal clear some of our positions and plans:

1. At the last hearing, a few local veterinarians spoke before the board to state that there are already enough accessible, low-price spay/neuter options available for the animals of Atlantic County. They stated that Atlantic county residents with limited income do not need the services of another affordable spay/neuter program such as the one we propose.

We respectfully submit that the animals of Atlantic County could greatly benefit from access to more life-saving spay/neuter services. According to the State of New Jersey, 4057 cats and dogs were euthanized in Atlantic County in 2007. If limited-income residents had more access to affordable spay/neuter options for their pets, fewer unwanted cats and dogs would end up on the streets and in overcrowded shelters each year. Until the plight of homeless animals is a thing of the past we feel there can never be enough spay/neuter programming in our community.

2. Some veterinarians fear that our low-price spay/neuter program will be unfair competition to their private practices, taking away clients who would normally have their pets altered and vaccinated at their offices.

The residents we will serve with our clinic are those who face the prospect of no basic veterinary care for their beloved pets because their low or fixed incomes make it impossible. They simply cannot afford to bring their pets to a private practice veterinarian for basic spay/neuter and vaccines. Their choice is not between a private practice vet and a low-price spay/neuter clinic, but rather a choice between a low-price spay/neuter clinic and no vet care at all. We want to work together as a community to increase vaccine compliance and decrease the number of animals relinquished to local shelters by making spay/neuter and vaccine services available to the pets of those who need it most. Each spay/neuter performed amounts to lives saved, and Hope wants to work with local organizations and veterinarians to save as many as possible.

3. Some veterinarians also pointed out that simply adding cage space isn't going to increase demand for adoptable animals, and said that the problem is that there are too many animals and not enough homes. We feel that this is a defeatist, short-sighted attitude that reflects old stereotypes and greatly underestimates the animal-loving public's commitment to saving lives.

A national study released this spring indicates that 17 million Americans plan to add a pet to their families in the upcoming year. Some simple math shows that clearly there are enough homes for the 3-4 million animals that are killed each year across the country. Demand for shelter animals is increased by visibility, community outreach, humane education, partnerships with other rescue groups, solid adoption programs and progressive, animal-friendly facilities that draw adopters from miles around. Hope will have the resources and support to create this kind of special facility, to be a unique destination for adopters from all over the tri-state area, and to help other rescue organizations save animals that might otherwise be euthanized. We are convinced that our state-of-the-art facility and programming will draw an influx of adopters to provide loving homes for our animals.

4. Hope is working with local consultants, planners, engineers, and animal welfare specialists to design what we believe will become the nation's model for animal-centric, green technology-based shelters. The environment of many traditional animal shelters can be scary, confusing and very stressful for homeless cats and dogs, and can even discourage potential adopters from visiting or interacting with prospective new pets. Cold steel cages, chain-link fences, harsh kennel lighting, stale air filled with the echoing sounds of frightened, barking dogs and crying cats-- hardly ideal elements for recovery from the trauma of abandonment, abuse, a hard life on the street, or the sudden loss of a loving home. With each passing day in their cages, homeless animals can sink into depression and develop cage-related behavior disorders or stress-induced illnesses, making them less and less likely to be adopted.

Our proposed shelter will be built on 220 acres of farm land adjacent to the Atlantic City Expressway, just before Exit 17 and the $3.00 toll booth heading east. At Hope, homeless dogs and cats will be able to experience a new standard in animal care based on the advances made at shelters such as the Washington Animal Rescue League in Washington, D.C. (video). Small cages and steel bars will be a thing of the past, replaced by spacious, light-filled "suites" and "condos" designed by shelter experts to encourage natural behaviors, promote wellbeing and minimize stress. Glass block walls and clear and translucent windows and doors will allow natural light and human interaction to be an integral part of the animals' day.

The noise associated with traditional indoor kennels will be virtually non-existent, eliminated by designs that actually reduce dogs' stress and therefore reduce barking. Specially-created ventilation and air filtration systems will keep the environment fresh and healthy. Secure outdoor spaces will be sound-buffered, landscaped and tree-lined to minimize noise on our property and to provide a beautiful atmosphere for animals and humans alike. Our warm, inviting adoption areas, play areas and “real life” rooms will combine with these specialized living quarters to create a happy and relaxed atmosphere that meets the physical, emotional and social needs of the cats and dogs in our care. Visitors will be encouraged to enjoy quality time with a potential new family member to insure the best placement of our cats and dogs in their forever homes.

A loving and tranquil refuge for homeless cats and dogs, Hope's mission includes providing educational and pet-assisted therapy programs for all ages. In time we will partner with programs such as “Meals on Wheels” to provide meals for the pets of the sick and elderly (who, when funds are tight, too often give their pets much of the food that is meant for themselves). Hope volunteers will bring certified pet therapy animals to visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities, providing proven health benefits and raising the spirits of those touched by our furry friends. School children will be welcomed to our site for educational tours and programs specially designed to complement their class work. They will have the opportunity to meet our residents and learn first-hand about the importance of humane treatment and kindness to animals.

Our comprehensive volunteer program will welcome community members to participate in a wide range of animal care activities. From dog walking to kitten socialization, from educational activities to community outreach, our trained and approved volunteers' unique talents and skills will enrich and enliven our programs and improve the lives of our animals and the people who experience and interact with our facility, such as school children and the elderly.

This is an animal center you will be proud of, a place of positive, enriching activities for families and pets from around the area. If Hope sounds like a resource you'd like to have in your community, please attend our next zoning hearing:

Monday, March 22, 2010, at 7:00pm
Township of Hamilton Town Hall
6101 13th Street
Mays Landing, NJ 08330

Please come out to support us with your presence and your voice. We need your help to make this shelter a reality.

Best wishes,
The Hope Animal Resource Center Family

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PROPOSED SHELTER

What steps are you taking to protect the environmentally sensitive Pinelands area on which your land is located?

We are working closely with the Pinelands Commission in our design development and are proud of the work we are doing to be good stewards of the environment with our project.

Just about half of our 220 acre property is located in what is called an FA-70 zone, which means we cannot (and will not) develop that forested land. It will remain in its natural state and no buildings will be erected there. The remainder of our land (the location of the seven existing buildings on the property) is in what is called an RD-5 zone, which means that many high-density uses (such as farms, churches, parks, schools and up to eighteen 5-acre housing units) are permitted there. We are requesting a zoning variance because animal shelters were never specifically envisioned as being proposed for that area. The township's master plan currently allows for extensive traffic and building in this area, much more than we propose.

Our use of the property will have significantly less environmental impact than something like a church or school, and our designers are working to develop the most green shelter in America, with such elements as:

*Adaptive re-use of the existing buildings, which were erected before we took ownership of the property
*Solar panels
*Water reclamation technology
*Geothermal technology
*Green roofs
*Permeable surfaces for roads and parking areas
*Energy-efficient windows and appliances
*Native plants and expansive tree planting
*Locally sourced materials whenever possible
*Walking trails
*Dark-sky lighting (to reduce light pollution)
*Earthen berms and other sound buffers (to reduce noise pollution)
*Solid waste from animals removed from site by certified contractor
*Nitrate levels well within Pinelands regulations for groundwater preservation

What kind of animals will my children be meeting on field trips and other educational outings? Will they be exposed to any sick animals?

Hope Animal Resource Center will be a home for cats, dogs and horses. All animals taken in by our shelter will go through a medical isolation period to monitor for and treat any illnesses they may have. All animals will receive appropriate and mandated vaccinations before being placed into the adoption areas. Shelter vets will provide daily monitoring and care for our animals, and strict cleaning protocols and specialized air filtration systems (separate air exchanges for each living area) will ensure the lowest possible chance of any type of disease transmission. The animals that our visitors will meet will be medically and behaviorally cleared for interaction with the public.

Is your shelter a "no kill" facility?

Our shelter will be a limited admission facility with a no kill philosophy, following the no kill matrix. This means that we will never euthanize for space and we will accept and adopt out animals who are healthy, treatable, or who have manageable illness or disabilities (for example, chronic kidney disease or a missing limb). Animals who are seriously ill or severely injured with a grave prognosis for rehabilitation and experiencing suffering that cannot be alleviated, and animals who are vicious and a danger to the public will be humanely euthanized after thorough evaluations made with a bias toward lifesaving. Each and every animal who comes through our doors will always get individual evaluation and compassionate treatment. This is the established and accepted definition of the no kill philosophy.

We will have the resources to accept and adopt out many animals who might otherwise be euthanized for treatable or manageable conditions or who might be considered by some to be "unadoptable." The more animals we are able to accept at our shelter, the more animals other shelters and rescue groups will be able to accept and adopt out at their facilities. We will not warehouse irremediably suffering or truly dangerous animals, and we will not bring in more animals than the number for whom we can provide the highest possible standard of care.

Don't we already have enough low-price spay/neuter options in Atlantic County?

We believe that the animals of Atlantic County could greatly benefit from access to more life-saving spay/neuter services. Members of the State Assembly agree, unanimously approving legislation this year to expand the qualifications for residents who are eligible to receive subsidized spay/neuter services for their pets. In further acknowledgement of the need for affordable spay/neuter services, the Assembly has also passed legislation encouraging veterinarians to perform free spay/neuter services for pets of eligible residents in exchange for continuing education credits.

According to the State of New Jersey, 4057 cats and dogs were euthanized in Atlantic County in 2007. If limited-income residents had more access to affordable spay/neuter options for their pets, fewer unwanted cats and dogs would end up on the streets and in overcrowded shelters each year. Each spay/neuter performed amounts to fewer unwanted animals and more lives saved, and Hope wants to work with local organizations and veterinarians to save as many as possible. Let's work together as a community to decrease the number of animals relinquished to local shelters each year by increasing the amount of spay/neuter available to those who need it most.

Will more shelter space really mean more adoptions? There aren't enough homes for the animals we have at our shelters.

Simply adding cage space isn't going to increase demand for adoptable animals, but the long-perpetuated myth of "too many animals and not enough homes" reflects a defeatist, short-sighted attitude that greatly underestimates the animal-loving public's commitment to saving lives.

A national study released this spring indicates that 17 million Americans plan to add a pet to their families in the upcoming year. Some simple math shows that clearly there are enough homes for the 3-4 million animals that are killed each year across the country. Demand for shelter animals is increased by visibility, creativity, community outreach, humane education, partnerships with other rescue groups, solid adoption programs and progressive, animal-friendly facilities that draw adopters from miles around. Hope will have the resources and support to create this kind of special facility, to be a unique destination for families, school groups, seniors and volunteers from all over the tri-state area, and to help other rescue organizations save animals that might otherwise be euthanized. Working with local and national consultants, planners, engineers, designers and animal welfare specialists, we are designing what we hope will become the nation's model for animal-centric, green technology-based shelters.

ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ Report Highlights Achievements in Philadelphia

NEW YORK - A report published by the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) highlights statistics that outline progress of the ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ partnership in Philadelphia, one of six target communities nationwide participating in the campaign - a focused effort to provide positive outcomes for at - risk pets (i.e., shelter animals).

The ASPCA's Philadelphia Biannual Report (January-June 2008), details accomplishments and summarizes data provided by Philadelphia's animal welfare partners. Among the highlights are increases in Live Release Rate*, adoptions, spay/neuter, lost animal returns to owner, and a decrease in euthanasia.

"The ASPCA's support of animal welfare organizations in Philadelphia is long-standing and goes beyond any previous community-wide efforts to help end the needless euthanasia of companion animals," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. "The ASPCA Mission: Orange effort has helped drive the effort to raise the live release rate for Philadelphia's unwanted animals, and we're happy to have played a role in this progress."

Since 2006, the ASPCA has partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Health, Philadelphia Animal Care & Control (PACCA), Pennsylvania SPCA, and other Philadelphia animal welfare organizations, and has made significant progress. Over the last three years, the live release rate* has increased 6.2 percent (from 43.84 to 50.26 percent), and euthanasia has decreased by nine percent (from 47.2 to 38.2 percent). Groups submitting data include PACCA, PSPCA, The Spayed Club, Philadelphia Community Cats Council, Hope Animal Resource Center and Forgotten Cats.

The most recent comparisons - from January to June 2008 - compared to the same period in 2007, are as follows, even with an increase of four percent in the number of animals entering the system(intake):

Live Release Rate rose by 2.5 percent (50.3 v. 47.8 percent), or 638 more cats and dogs (7,685 v. 7,047);
Adoptions increased by 11 percent, or 556 cats and dogs (5,745 v. 5,189);
Targeted spay/neuter increased by 38 percent, or 1,153 cats and dogs (4,168 v. 3,015);
Returns to owner increased by four percent; and
Euthanasia decreased by five percent;

The ASPCA has invested nearly one million dollars in capacity-building and related animal welfare efforts in the form of human and financial resources, advice, and education and over the last three years. This includes a $150,000 commitment to the University of Pennsylvania to support a surgery position in the Shelter Animal Medicine Program at the School of Veterinary Medicine. This surgeon, along with his students, participates in sterilization and care of animals at PACCA's shelter on a weekly basis.

In 2008, the ASPCA also provided financial support to The Spayed Club for 1,000 spay/neuter surgeries, the Philadelphia Community Cat Council for needed TNR (trap/neuter/return) supplies and equipment, and Animal Alliance of Belle Meade, a recognized PACCA partner. On June 1, the ASPCA launched its Philadelphia Rescue Assistance Program ("Philly RAP") to assist animal control rescue partners with animal transfers into their adoption programs. Philly Rap provides up to $70,000 in both subsidy and medical reimbursement services to homeless pets transferred from the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association (PACCA) to its recognized rescue partners.

Other financial resources offered by the ASPCA include assistance to PACCA for life-saving efforts for its animals, and to PSPCA for medical supplies, forensic expertise and staffing resources for a large scale cruelty investigation, and sponsorship for the Good Dog Gala.

"The ASPCA encourages Philadelphia's animal welfare agencies to work collaboratively toward a successfully functioning, sustainable model for creating positive outcomes for homeless animals," said Sayres. "We've made significant progress with APSCA Mission: Orange, but it doesn't happen overnight. It takes time to get sustainable results."

*Live release rate refers to the percentage of animals that leave the sheltering system alive through adoption, return to owner, or transfer outside of the partner organizations. The formula for calculating LRR is total number of live releases divided by intake. By contrast, the term "save rate" often includes any animal that has not been euthanized, such as those whose outcome is not yet known/those still in sheltering system. For this reason, the calculation for live release rate will usually show a different percentage than save rate.

Read our previous announcements.

Click here to learn more about ASPCA's Mission: Orange.

Click here to learn about upcoming Hope spay/neuter clinics.