I agree that government can't and shouldn't do everything. I also think it is great that there is a group that is committed to raising money for the animal shelter. I would liken them to the group that started the Mt. Pleasant animal shelter. Now I ask, why is the government involved at all? Why isn't this a private enterprise like the Mt. Pleasant (a very successful example) animal shelter? I don't want my tax dollars used to build a building for animals. In fact, the less that the town spends of my tax dollars, the less they have to charge me, and the more money I will have to give donations to causes that I find worthwhile (which might include a private animal shelter).
Posted by
Anonymous
on
October 21, 2007 1:19 PM
I am sure the person who doesn't want their tax dollars used to build a new shelter is the same person who expects proper animal control services at their beck and call should they have an issue on their property.
It takes a lot of funds to be able to build and maintain an animal care facility. No local animal welfare group should take on the Township's responsibility.
Improvement of animal welfare and education of residents should be a priority in Montville.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
October 30, 2007 11:05 AM
I agree. I spend a fortune on taxes and would rather my dollars support an animal shelter than education for other people's kids.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
October 31, 2007 10:07 PM
It is scary to think that the education of our children (that is, the children in our society)is a lower priority than stray animals.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 1, 2007 12:25 PM
You'd rather spend your money on the animal shelter than education? That's horrible.
I once heard a woman on the radio say that if she had only enough room in her lifeboat to bring one other, she'd take her dog over her husband. These are not rational people. Strays over education, nothing surprises me anymore!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 3, 2007 3:33 PM
As President of a local animal welfare group that supports several municipal shelter facilities, including the Montville Shelter, I can honestly say, we would like nothing more than to be able to raise enough funds to open a facility comparable to Mt. Pleasant. Our 120 current volunteers in good standing and over 375 area supporters--most pretty rational ;) have spent countless hours of their unpaid personal time fundraising with us and have done an amazing job.
However, the majority of funds are used to pay for things most residents have no clue that the Township DOES NOT pay for, like many medical treatments, spay/neuter services as well as several of our other programs which help to reduce stray/feral populations and encourage adoptions of homeless animals into caring families in our communities. While we help animals, our efforts and services definitely benefit the people of our communities as well.
Proper animal control and care services can be a joint effort, but it's up to the Township to provide the basics and a decent shelter facility should be one of them.
Suzanne Roman Griffin President PASS www.pass4pets.org
Why must we look at this as 'either/or'? Are animals and children mutually exclusive? We allocate our tax dollars for schools/education so why can’t we also earmark a bit for the new animal shelter?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 25, 2007 4:17 PM
If you feel strongly about this issue then get a petition going for a referedum and get it on the ballot. This is the american way. Go for it!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 25, 2007 5:24 PM
i think that this is a stupid idea. you should shelter your animals in your own homes. why should we pay our taxes for this stupid stuff? We need places to eat and dine and shop besides buying animals and going to gross joes
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 23, 2008 4:39 PM
To the last poster, what the hell does one thing have to do with another?
First off, the animal shelter does not house "taxpayers pets". They provide a service to 5 towns by not only housing abandoned animals until they can find them new homes, but picking up road kill and dead animals in your yard!
Why so ignorant???
Posted by
Anonymous
on
February 4, 2008 9:00 PM
Please Help Me! I just moved to Montville and my Black and White Tuxedo Cat (Dakota) got out the other night. He is 8 years old and has never been outside before:( I am broken hearted without him.
If you see him, or think you might see him, please call me at 973-220-7576. PS, I am sure he is scared and might just find another home, if it is your home, please call me.
