Community Corner

After 8 Years, Animal Shelter Hosts Grand Opening

Montville Pet Parents was founded in 2005 and was focused on raising money for a new animal shelter.

After an 8-year journey, the new Montville Animal Shelter is proudly gearing up for its grand opening. The new shelter left its old location—which was built in the 70s—at 86 River Road and set down new roots at 7 Church Lane.

The grand opening is this Saturday from noon – 2 p.m.

“Montville Pet Parents is so excited about the Grand Opening,” said Sue Goldblatt, president of the Montville Pet Parents, a non profit organization focused on raising money for a new animal shelter since its inception in 2005. “I look at the building and can’t believe that the dream that started many years ago to raise awareness of the need for a new building has come true,” said Goldblatt. “Over the years so many people who have worked tirelessly to make this shelter a reality.” 

There will be a ribbon cutting and dedication as well as refreshments, gifts, shelter tours and adoption specials.

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“Is this the end? No … the building is done but there are still many  wonderful animals in need of homes. MPP has been providing funds for medical, spay/neuter and working to raise awareness of the animals available for adoption. We will be able to focus more on these areas and are working with the ACOs to establish a formal volunteer program at the shelter,” she said.

Highlights of the new shelter:

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  • There are separate rooms for cat adoption, isolation, and quarantine, There is an adoption kennel and separate isolation area or dogs.
  • All materials used in the building make it easy to clean and maintain a healthy environment for the animals.
  • All areas where animals are housed have A/C.
  • There are large fenced areas for training and exercising the dogs. These areas are also used to prospective adopters to meet dogs in a calm friendly environment

The old shelter had less than 600 sq. ft. of indoor space and forced the shelter to use the old DPW garage to house cats. That shelter was demolished in 2011 and Goldblatt said “this is a project almost six years in the making.” 

After many discussions, the process to rebuild began in October 2011 when the Township Committee unanimously awarded a $552,000 contract to Passaic-based ML Inc. for the shelter’s construction.

Through fundraising events, individual and corporate donations  over $80,000 has been donated toward building the shelter, said Goldblatt, adding that many companies have donated materials and labor. The remaining funds were provided by Montville Township and the four towns the Animal Shelter provides ACO services for: Lincoln Park, Boonton Twp, Mountain Lakes and Morristown.

“Several Eagle Scout candidates have done projects at the shelter as well, such as the sign, the cage moving/assembly and installing the patio & landscaping,” said Goldblatt.

At last week’s school board meeting, Joseph S. Mianecki, of Troop 74, was recognized for his Eagle Scout project, in which he constructed a freestanding sign for the new shelter.

Let’s not forget the girl scouts. They and many other organizations and locals around town have helped contribute toward the new shelter. 

More than 20 Montville Animal Shelter cats and dogs that are ready for adoption were moved to the new shelter at the end of July. The move took about four hours until everyone was settled in their new home, Goldblatt said.

For more information about how to help at the shelter or adopting a pet visit MontvillePetParents.org

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