The SPCA Dogged About Saving Lives

Folks considering adopting a pet have the opportunity in the next three months to not only bring home a new furry family member, but to help push the closer to snagging $100,000 to benefit the Eatontown-based shelter.

The Monmouth County SPCA (MCSPCA) held a press conference on Aug. 1 to announce its participation in the ASPCA Save More Lives - $100,000 Challenge. The contest honors the top organization of the 50 competing that places the most animals in forever homes and, therefore, saves the most lives over a three-month period, from August to October. 

The MCSPCA is a non-kill shelter in Eatontown that cares for more than 4,000 surrendered, lost, neglected or abused animals each year without any federal or state financial assistance. It relies primarily upon the generosity of donors and services of other local organizations.

On hand for the press conference was New Jersey Senator Jennifer Beck, Dr. Anthony DeCarlo, of Red Bank Animal Hospital, Todd Cramer, executive director of Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association, Heather Cammisa, president of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, Kathy Schatzmann, NJ director of the Humane Society/United States and photographer Kim Levin.

MCSPCA Board President Jerry Rosenthal announced the start of the organization's ramped-up efforts to save the lives of local animals, a program called Ready.Set.ADOPT! 

"We're participating in the $100,000 Challenge, but more so, we're challenging ourselves," Rosenthal said, "to provide better adoption services to the County of Monmouth. We want to demonstrate to the community that this is the place where you should really be adopting animals."

MCSPCA Executive Director Laurie Garrison praised previous efforts by the center and her staff noting that in 2010, the organization saved over 3,800 lives. The goal for this year is 5,000. Garrison outlined some of the creative and community-oriented promotions that the MCSPCA will be implementing over the three months of the challenge and beyond.

• On Friday, Aug. 5, the organization will be staying open late to celebrate Midnight Madness. will be open from noon to midnight, with bedtime stories read to children, families and animals from 8 to 9 p.m. by Small Factory Productions, Fair Haven. Other incentives including Pet Swag Bags and milk and cookies awaiting adopters who stop in on Friday night.
• In addition, during the three-month contest period the MCSPCA will reach out to different groups in the county and spotlight  towns that welcome assistance, adopters and awareness to the various programs available through the MCSPCA.
• The organization will also be doing what it can to help overcrowded shelters in other parts of the country, too. Now through October, 25 puppies will be transported weekly to the MCSPCA where they will be examined by a medical team. They also spay and neuter the puppies with the help of the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital's volunteer veterinarians.  If MCSPCA is unable to place the puppies in one week, Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association, St. Hubert's Animal Center and Wag On Inn Rescue have agreed to accept the remaining dogs.
• The MCSPCA will also launch its premiere  advertising campaign.  Photographer Kim Levin, who has donated the services of her Squaremelon Communications in the past for smart-looking, heart-tugging adoption appeal posters, is refining the concept into an actual campaign that will featue the ads on billboards, print and some NJ Transit buses in Middlesex County.

The initiatives, the challenge and the need brought Senator Beck to the MCSPCA on Monday for the first time. A dog owner herself, Beck has three at home and said she was "proud to support the efforts of the MCSPCA ... not only over the contest period, but also over its long and impressive history."  Beck called on Monmouth County families to "really think about bringing a pet into (their lives)," adding that having loving pets, "enriches family life."

If you or someone you know would like to take a nod from the senator or the good folks at the MCSPCA, stop in to the center at 260 Wall St. in Eatontown. Hours are extended during the months of the Challenge. Check them out at their Web site or call 732-542-0040.