Our town's excuse for an animal shelter (located at 84 Naylon Avenue) is just that - an excuse. The buiding is falling apart with clear structural damage to the building, sewage and water leaks in from the floors and windows (it is located just feet from the sewage processing plant), there is mold everywhere, and the dogs don't have access to the outdoors. Every year, Livingston lists renovating the building as "important" in its budget proposal, and every year, not a dollar is allocated toward improvements. The Livingston shelter is responsible for caring for the strays from not only Livingston but also from Millburn, Chatham, Springfield, Summit, Short Hills, Madison, and Berkeley Heights. The shelter currently refuses to take in any stray cats, as there is no "facility" to hold them. Residents of Livingston and neighboring towns currently shoulder the burden of caring for stray kittens by paying for vet bills, food, and shelter out of their own pockets while our Town Manager takes home a salary that eclipses the entire yearly budget for Animal Control.
Despite Livingston's utter ignorance of basic animal welfare, there is plenty we can do as residents to make a change. Please sign this petition to push for the implementation of a TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) program for our town's stray cats and to finally start renovation and rebuilding of our current facility. The undersigned residents of Livingston and neighboring towns (which participate in shared services) hereby petition the Township of Livingston to support our above request.
***I would like to add that our current Animal Control Officer (the only full time employee responsible for all eight towns) is the only beacon of hope these animals have. It is because of his love of animals, hard work, and willingness to go above and beyond his official duties (including trying to re-home animals during hours he does not get paid for) that the unlucky pets who end up in this shelter get another chance at life. The administration of Livingston's appalling attitude toward stray dogs and cats does NOT in any way reflect the dedication, kindness, and outstanding work of our Animal Control Officer.
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Update #29 years ago
Good news! After meeting with the Chief of Police, renovations to the shelter are set to begin at the end of this week. Thank you for all your support. Please feel open to calling the police dept. to ask about the renovations. (973) 436-9978 ext#3900
Update #19 years ago
Please continue our efforts by reaching out to our town council directly (phone numbers & emails on website link below) by sending emails & calling to let these people know that this is unacceptable & animal welfare must become a priority. Thank you!
http://livingstontownship.org/?page_id=119
