AR-News: (NJ) HSUS exposes management problems at Camden County Animal Shelter

[CompassionForCam at aol.com]

URGENT ALERT!



Please write to the county freeholders.

Names, addresses listed below.





Blackwood, Camden County, NJ 



HSUS exposes management problems at Camden County Animal Shelter 



A just released Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) evaluation report 
of the Camden County Animal Shelter reinforces public outcry of unprofessional 
and inadequate management in nearly every aspect of animal sheltering. 



HSUS's 3-day tour of the shelter, and subsequent evaluation report, were 
pre-announced. The tour was conducted in October 2003. The 141 page report of the 
county shelter's management and operations points to everything from improper 
animal care to fire violations.



Examples from the report are listed below:



"The lack of understanding and staff's reluctance to step on other's toes 
allowed for inadequacies in animal care and handling." 



"Quality of care appeared dependent on staff preference."



"During the site visit, animals admitted were not given a thorough physical 
examination upon arrival."



"No toys, towels, or blankets were available for the comfort and 
psychological health of the animals."



"There was no written protocol regarding feeding or food storage. Feeding 
protocols were based on word of mouth…staff had to remember who ate and who did 
not but they told HSUS that when they were off, they were not sure how the 
animals would be fed since others would not readily know the eating habits."



"Because of the confusion about who was in charge some animals were left 
without care for long periods of time."



 "Cat # 19579 was an 8-week-old kitten with three siblings. His eyes were 
shut with yellow mucous discharge and his nose was very crusty. He was infested 
with fleas, was thin and dehydrated and his gums were very pale. His intake 
card did not indicate that any treatment was being given. No one could say 
whether or not he had been eating or drinking. When asked about him, staff did not 
know why he was not being treated or why he had not been euthanized."



"An adult [cat] in the adoption area also illustrated disconnects. The cat 
was congested and thin. A staff person stated he had not been eating and that no 
treatments or special care was being given. His paperwork could not be found 
on the board."



"HSUS observed that dogs of all ages and medical conditions were placed 
throughout the dog holding areas…careful management of dogs was not being carried 
out." 



"Dogs with potentially contagious diseases were in runs next to puppies." 



"There were some puppies brought into the shelter that clearly had some form 
of mange. Upon arrival they were given a medicated bath but it took three days 
to receive a more effective treatment because the specific medication was 
under lock and key in a cabinet not accessible to staff…the puppies had to endure 
days of scratching and discomfort." 



"There was no temperament evaluation process being used. Staff would try to 
notice how the animals behaved during the course of doing their work, from what 
visitors might comment on when they came into the shelter, and perhaps from 
the volunteer dog walkers."



"When staff was asked about why one dog was going to be euthanized, they said 
that a visitor told them the dog acted poorly and had been aggressive towards 
them as the they walked around."



"It is in the opinion of HSUS that HSSNJ is attempting to conduct business 
without the infrastructure, staff, or adequate allocation of budget to do it 
effectively."



"There were miscellaneous pieces of equipment in the [euthanasia] room. The 
only equipment seen that had to do with euthanasia was a variety of syringe 
poles hanging on the wall. The lighting was very poor and staff members said they 
had a hard time seeing veins."



"During the discussions regarding the use of pre-euthanasia anesthetics, the 
HSUS team asked about the dosages, the technician did not know the proportions 
of Ketamine to xylazine and there was no documentation that indicated how to 
mix them or what dosage is to be administered."



"There was a question as to the correct dosage [of Euthasol] and the staff 
did not remember that it was listed in the procedure document."



"Cats were brought into the [euthanasia] room in cat carriers and stacked 
near the door. They waited there until the dogs were euthanized. Dogs might be in 
the kennels making for a busy area where animals would be able to witness 
other animals being euthanized."



Examples of additional HSUS commentary: lack of internal training programs, 
tense and rude memos in public areas, improper/non-existing housekeeping, lack 
of knowledge regarding air quality, lack of organizational structure, 
non-existing humane education programs, poor or non-existing record keeping, lack of 
financial and donor database, improper storage for controlled substances…



"There is no clear mission or vision." 



"The agency has not developed a strategic plan. There has been no market 
research done by the staff or board to identify, qualify or quantify animal 
problems or issues in Camden County."



"It seems that there is no real understanding of what its role should be in 
the community and how that role should impact animals in the community."



End quotes.





A hard copy of the report is available to the public via the Open Public 
Records Request Application (OPRA). Contact Camden County Administration 
856-225-5354 mlonetto at camdencounty.com 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/opra/forminfo.html         
Or see: http://www.pawsnj.org/hsus


The county's shelter is run by the Humane Society of Southern New Jersey 
(HSSNJ) under the direction of Richard J. Perr, Esq., an individual with strong 
ties to county government.

Shelter operations are overseen by the Camden County Board of Chosen 
Freeholders, specifically Freeholder Laurelle A. Cummings, Director Health & Human 
Services.

County freeholders commissioned the evaluation in May 2003; it was released 
to the public in early February, 2004. The report, costing taxpayers $19,700, 
came directly or indirectly in response to the shelter's involvement in pound 
seizure (the sale or release of cats and dogs from a pound or shelter to a 
research, testing or educational facility).

Please note pound seizure background, links to detailed information, witness 
statements and court documents below.



Pound seizure background:

The Camden County Animal Shelter management's practice of pound seizure 
resulted in the suffering and deaths of numerous dogs and cats. Charges brought by 
the NJ SPCA were settled in March 2003. The group does not deny their 
participation of renting shelter animals out for medical experimentation and stated 
that they may continue the practice. They call it: "Advancing [our] humane 
purpose by promoting animal education." We call it: The marketing of cruelty and 
death.

During an interview with the Courier-Post newspaper Richard J. Perr, Esq. 
stated: "The shelter does not plan to participate in any more training sessions 
with Sound Technologies, but depending on the outcome of the lawsuit, has not 
ruled it out, Perr said." See: 
http://www.southjerseynews.com/issues/december/m120802d.htm

For more information, witness statements and court documents please see: 
www.pawsnj.org
http://www.compassionforcamden.org/newsletter/2003w/2003_winter.html 
Also see: www.banpoundseizure.org


In addition to the HSUS evaluation the county was urged to allow the public 
to bid on the operation of the shelter. 

On January 30, 2004 current management and the Animal Welfare Society of 
Camden County submitted bids to the county for shelter management. 

ACTION NEEDED! 

PLEASE WRITE TO THE COUNTY FREEHOLDERS ASKING THEM TO PROVIDE THE SHELTER 
WITH PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT. 

See sample letter below.

The address for all Freeholders is: 
Camden County Courthouse, 520 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102

Jeffrey L. Nash 
Freeholder Director 
856-225-5466 
jnash at co.camden.nj.us 

Laurelle A. Cummings 
Health & Human Services
(includes Shelter)
856-225-5575 
cummings at co.camden.nj.us 

Edward T. McDonnell 
Deputy Director 
856-225-5458 
emcdonnel at co.camden.nj.us 

For a complete freeholder list please see: www.camdencounty.com



Sample letter:
Re: HSUS evaluation of the Camden County Animal Shelter

Dear Freeholder:

Taxpayer money has been spent to evaluate your current shelter 
vendor/management. The recent HSUS report reinforces public outcry of unsuited management. 
It is shocking and disheartening. But, sadly it comes as no surprise. 

In addition, your management allowed the use of shelter animals for medical 
experimentation and is responsible for one of the highest euthanasia rates in 
the state. 

Seven years of failure is enough! 

I am appealing to you to remove current management and award the shelter 
contract to a qualified group. 

Your name, address, phone, email. 




Additional contact information:
Marion Churchill 
Compassion for Camden 
856-751-1571
www.compassionforcamden.org
email: compassionforcam at aol.com 



"The world is a dangerous place,
not because of those who do evil,
but because of those who look on and do nothing."
Albert Einstein

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