Tails in the news
Dog lovers seek to build park in Vernon Township
There are more than 5,000 licensed dogs in Vernon Township but not a single place where they can play off-leash. To address this problem, residents have formed the Dog Owners Gathering Society of Vernon (DOGS), as a way to explore possibilities for an off-leash park in the area. The group, which is pursuing non-profit status, was established in February and has been working with the Township to reach its goal.
“Dog parks provide a unique forum for promoting the health and well-being of our canine companions,” says Aimee Wilkens, a member of the Public Relations/Rules Committee of DOGS. “They provide a place to exercise animals that may or may not have other avenues to get much needed activity into their lives.”
Wilkens argues that Vernon’s existing parks are primarily athletic fields and that a dog park would help serve residents with other interests. There are no off-leash areas where pets and their guardians can exercise and play together. DOGS would prefer a site of at least five acres with parking. At this point, however, they will take the best location they can find, Wilkens says.
The organization is currently looking at different site possibilities for the off-leash area and is hoping to be granted use of existing public land. DOGS volunteers are also looking at park features, rules of use, and a budget for building the park. “We hope that as we move forward, we will continue to build support from our Township as well as other neighboring communities,” says Wilkens. For more information, visit DogsOfVernon.org.
Tri-State Weimaraner Rescue sponsors photo contest
Aspiring photographers nationwide are invited to enter the Tri-State Weimaraner Rescue’s 2nd annual Weimaraner photo contest. Now through Labor Day photos sent to the rescue that include at least one Weimaraner will be eligible to win. Famed dog photographer William Wegman will judge the photos. There are multiple categories in the contest including: puppies, older dogs, multiple dogs, and dressed up dogs. The grand-prize winner will get their photo on the Tri-State Weimaraner homepage for a year, as well as a signed copy of their photo by Wegman. All money raised from the entry fees will go directly to the homeless, unwanted, and displaced Weimaraners of New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
To enter, visit TriStateWeimRescue.org.
Parsippany organization expands program for seniors
The Parsippany Animal Supporters Society (PASS) is expanding its “Senior Pets for Senior People” program to include animals adopted from the Montville Animal Shelter. Through December 31, seniors (aged 62 or older), who adopt a senior pet (dogs aged 4 or older, or cats aged 5 or older) from the shelter are eligible for special financial assistance, which could include a refund of the adoption fee, free spay/neuter, payment of a pet deposit if required by a senior housing development, and an adoption kit with litter, a bed, and toys.
Marcy Poquette, PASS vice president, came up with the idea for a senior pet adoption program after her own mother lost her cat of 18 years. It was Poquette’s search for a new cat that gave her the idea for the “Senior Pets for Senior People” program.
According to Poquette, pets can be great companions for senior citizens, who often live alone. Because pets need to be taken on walks, fed and groomed, and let outside, they can help seniors lead more active lives, which in turn, can help them stay healthier and live longer, she says. To learn more about the “Senior Pets for Senior People” program, email marcy2@optonline.net or call (973) 402-7387, box #5.
Room For One More severs ties with township, finds new space
When Sparta Township told Room For One More (RFOM), the no-kill shelter that operated its pound, that it had until June 30 to vacate the space, the four-year-old non-profit sprung into action. Throughout the month of June, the organization hosted extra adoption events and stayed open for increased hours, with the hopes that by the end of the month, all of its animals would find new homes. Fortunately, the group never had to find out if its efforts would ultimately be successful. By June 20, a new space for the shelter was found, and RFOM was able to move in on June 30.
According to Sy Campbell, director of RFOM, the disagreement between the Township and the shelter came from a number of places.
“[Sparta] prefers that we don’t keep animals longer than a set amount of time, which would essentially change us from a no-kill rescue group into a kill-to-low-kill pound,” says Campbell. “That isn’t what Room For One More is about.”
A second issue stemmed from the condition of the building. Four dogs had been injured due to broken dog runs. Campbell says the Township had promised to fix it, but didn’t.
“We don’t have a problem taking in Sparta’s strays, in fact we welcome that,” says Campbell. “But that is up to the town if they want to re-issue a contract with us to do so.”
RFOM’s new space has 38 dog runs and a large room for communal cats with windows for them to look out of. Campbell says once their new landlord fences off the left side of the building, the dogs at the shelter will have a grassy area to run and play in. In addition to moving into a new shelter, RFOM has severed its official relationship with Sparta and is now considering working with a different township’s stray population. Because Sparta will now be operating the pound and euthanizing strays that come in, Campbell urges Sparta residents in the area to microchip their pets, as the pound is required to scan animals when they enter.
After hearing about the hardships undergone by RFOM, the Holiday Inn Express in Newton offered to host a Grease-themed sock hop fundraiser. The August 18 event, “I’m The One That You Want,” will help raise money RFOM to help it expand its services.
“This fundraiser hosted by the Holiday Inn Express is such a generous and wonderful gift to the animals,” says Campbell.
Barry “Doody” Pearl from Grease will host the event, and it will feature dancing, a raffle, and musical performances by Jocko of Sha Na Na and the Grease Party Band. Tickets cost $50 for limited seating and $40 for open seating, and are available by contacting the Holiday Inn Express at (973) 940-8888. For more information, visit RFOM.org.
