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Diana Jeffrey, Director of Animal Welfare Federation of NJ, was our special guest speaker. AWFNJ was formed in 1995, and works to track, draft and present a unified front on legislation affecting animals in NJ. Recent legislation made NJ the first state to recognize that animals have emotional and psychological as well as physical needs that must be addressed by all kennels, shelters, pet shops and pounds. The new regulations, NJAC 8:23A, became effective 3/20/00 and include requirements regarding temperature, ventilation, size of enclosures, sanitation, food, and protection from weather. Remedies for stressful behavior are included, because of the hard work of animal advocates who convinced the government that when animals are under stress, they are more susceptible to disease. The regulations must be followed by any licensed store, kennel, pound or shelter that houses animals. However, there is currently no way to enforce them.
Several years ago, the four Field Investigators, whose job it was to inspect and enforce animal regulations, retired. Their positions were not filled by the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. Local health departments also have the authority to enforce the regulations, but they rarely do, even in the face of serious violations. Also, it is a clear conflict of interest to expect local or county health departments that operate animal shelters to enforce the regulations against themselves. Many people have written to DOHSS Commissioner Christine Grant asking when they are going to hire field investigators, and the reply cited a lack of funds. But the DOHSS is obligated under state law to enforce these regulations.
It is essential that everyone writes again asking when they will hire field investigators. If you have written and received a reply, send a copy to Governor Whitman and explain that aggressive enforcement of the regulations governing shelters is important to you and that DOHSS's reply is unsatisfactory. Contact Commissioner Christine Grant, DOHSS, P.O. Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360, 609-292-7837, fax 609-292-0053, email feedback@doh.state.nj.us. Contact The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman, Office of the Governor, State House, P.O. Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625, 609-292-6000, fax 609-777-4082, web site http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/htm.
Examples of problem shelters include Garden State Kennels in Morris County, where violations were ongoing. They were finally closed down when employees turned in the director for using a muscle paralysis agent for euthanasia (the animals were unable to move, but were fully conscious and could feel everything as they died). At Hudson County SPCA, required records were never kept. Witnesses reported that an employee killed a dog by beating him with a shovel, and management claimed the dog had been adopted. They were finally shut down for bad record keeping.
Sample Letter:
Dear Commissioner Grant:
I am concerned with the lack of enforcement of the regulations governing animal shelters, pet shops, and kennels (N.J. A.C. 8:23A-1 et seq.). The State Department of Health's Veterinary Health division has the authority to carry out inspections or investigate complaints. There cannot be adequate enforcement without field investigators. I would appreciate it if you would let me know when I can expect to see an adequate number of field investigators hired. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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