NEWS
This page will keep you posted on news and happenings at the MCSPCA!

Our 3rd Annual Gimme Shelter Dog House Building Event in honor of Leo (that is Leo's sister April in one of the first houses built the first year) was rained on but not rained out this past Saturday (June 20).

As you can see to the right, the volunteers from the SPCA and from CMX who came were very dedicated and stayed through the rain until the first round of five houses was completed.


We have one more dog house and four cat houses that still need to be built and everything will be painted if the rain ever stops!

Big thanks go to these dedicated (and soaked) volunteers: Francesca Alexander, Janella Pini, Dirk Alexander, Viola Sarkantyus, Augie Grosso, Victor Bubadias, Brian Lysy, Eric DeRicco, Lauren Blann, Jennifer Szymanski, Kelly Ashe, Jeff Fiore, Jennifer Barna, Brian Holly, Nicole Nexon, Michael Nexon, Madhu Gurumurthy, Dennis Walsh, Paula Grande, Jennifer Bajor, Colleen Gagliano, Jack Norton (transport) and Jeff Blazewicz (transport). Photos by Jennifer Szymanski.


We thank our sponsors who made this event possible: Barkingdales, CMX, CMX Community Foundation, Janella Pini, Maryann Small, Lowe's of Marlboro, Charles Klimas, D & R Rail and Stair, Builder's General of Little Silver, Ralph and Kathy Ciambruschini, and Bain's Hardware.

We thank you all but most of all, the poor dogs who will finally have shelter because of your support thank you.

May 26,, 2009 - Book It! Events Hosted a Tail-wagging Good Time with Celebrity Dog Trainer Joel Silverman.
Celebrity dog trainer, Joel Silverman, discussed his recently released book, What Color is Your Dog? to a crowd of animal lovers and their canine companions at the Grove in Shrewsbury. Mr. Silverman talked about how to better bond with and train dogs based on his color personality identification system. He assessed whether a dog was a Red, Orange, Green or Blue on the spot.

Mr. Silverman signed his book for humans and one very insistent Pug (shown to the right with Mr. Silverman )who apparently really enjoyed the book!



A few adoptable dogs from the MCSPCA strutted their stuff, doing their best to woo prospective homes including the adorable little guy below flew all the way from Puerto Rico to find his second chance. Being the cutie that he is, he got adopted quick!

The event spread the good word about the Maureen O’Brien Cats & Dogs Thrift Store’s reputation as a secret hot spot for local bargain hunting fashionistas.  For years, Monmouth County’s most charitable families have donated their designer men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, as well as home goods, jewelry, and shoes to save the lives of animals. Two of those animals are puppies Sally and Babette, shown to the right held by the Thrift Store's own Dennis Bailey. All three are very cute and both puppies got adopted (Dennis already has a home of his own!).

 “Second Chance...the name says it all. It's a great opportunity to give wonderful designer fashions a second life while providing for the homeless animals of the MCSPCA while they await their second chance for a new life,” said Thrift Store Manager Lisa Mulhearn, shown to the left with WJRZ radio host and animal lover Jen Ursillo (who emceed the event for us). Event highlights included a “nearly new” fashion show of women’s formal wear; artisan, vintage, and pet-centric jewelry from Barkingdales (a unique boutique soon to have a permanent retail shop in the new shelter’s Visitor Center); a dog-gone terrific gift auction; 50/50 raffle; and an opportunity to exchange your gold jewelry for cash.  The event netted $5000 for the MCSPCA, and best of all increased business for the Thrift Store.

MCSPCA supporter Vicky models a gorgeous cardigan and skirt

Sara, a Thrift Store volunteer, models a beautiful wedding dress

Diane is a Thrift Store customer herself, is modeling a very chic ensemble

    



May 2, 2009, Our Bets for Pets Casino Night was a big success! . We held our Fourth Annual Casino Night Fundraiser at the Robert Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center on Saturday, May 2, 2009. The theme was "Phantom of the Opera" and the Center was decorated with red roses and candelabras, just beautiful. The event produced a “Full House” of attendees and helped raise over $60,000 towards our renovation.

Click here to read more and see lots of photos.






NOVEMBER 14, 2008, Grand Re-Opening of our Cats and Dogs Thrift Store. We were so excited to finally hold our Grand Re-Opening of the Cats and Dogs Thrift Store on Nov 14, and it was wonderful to see all the people who came out to help celebrate our ribbon cutting. The Thrift Store completion is the first step of our big renovation. We thank Pandora Jacoubs and RBA Homes for helping us build the Thrift in record time (read about it on our Renovation Page, scroll down a bit)

So many people came to watch our ribbon cutting, it was amazing! A lot of people could not wait for this opening, but no one more than all of us at the MCSPCA. We are really looking forward to having the income the Thrift Shop makes for the shelter!



Many people were there, including Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo, Freeholder Barbara McMorrow, and relatives of Maureen O'Brien, Florence Bialik and John Nolan. The photo on the right shows our Executive Director Ursula Goetz and Thrift Store Managers Dennis Bailey and Lisa Mulhearn (you can only see her ponytail) watch Mayor Tarantolo and Freeholder McMorrow cut the ribbon to officially open our Thrift Store! Very exciting- it is hard to believe it is finally open!

All of us at the MCSPCA extend our gratitude to Lisa and Dennis for putting together the new store - Lisa even went to Boscovs to get fixtures from their bankrupt store donated for use in our store! How cool is that? Both Lisa and Dennis (shown to the left) have worked very hard to make the new store a success, and Dennis even got a hair cut! Doesn't he look spiffy? Thank you Dennis and Lisa!

Thank you everyone for coming to our Grand Re-Opening and helping us celebrate this very happy occasion. Stay tuned to our Renovation Page for news on the main building!

OCTOBER 26, 2008, Jersey Shore Running Club's Trick or Trot Jersey Shore Running Club's 15th annual Trick or Trot was run to benefit the MCSPCA's Homeward Bound Capital Campaign and it was a huge success! Nearly 400 runners (many in costume!) participated on a gorgeous day to run along the Long Branch oceanfront. There were kids races, and costume parades for both humans and dogs! Click HERE for photos, and for more info,check out Jersey Shore Running Club's website. Thank you JSRC for choosing the Monmouth County SPCA!

Read about our renovation, which Trick or Trot raised funds for, HERE.






OCTOBER 4, 2008, MCSPCA Annual Dog Walk and Pet Fair - bigger than ever! Our annual Dog Walk and Pet Fair was held at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft and it was amazing! We broke all records! Read more HERE.







September 27, 2008 There's No Place Like Home, a Magical Event for Cat Lovers was a BIG Success

Cat lovers from all over attended the first annual There's No Place Like Home Kitty Event on Saturday, Sept. 27 and had a great time! Michele and Gracie (shown to the right) were the gracious hostesses of the event. They put together the entire event, from the venue, to the auction items, to the party tent, to even the tiniest details to result in an event that was a lot of fun and also a great fundraiser where all proceeds go to help kitties at the MCSPCA and for kitty-oriented renovation details like Kitty Cubbies that have their own air flow to the trees that will be put in each gazebo for kitties to climb on.

The event was held at My Kitchen Witch in Monmouth Beach. Karyn Jarmer, the "Good Witch" chef at My Kitchen Witch, put together a fabulous meal including her delicious cupcakes and her generous support meant even more proceeds could go to the needy kitties. Thank you Kayrn (shown to the left with Bill, our Emcee of the evening, thank you Bill for a great job!).

We also thank Paul David Partywares in Shrewsbury for once again supporting the MCSPCA with a great tent and supplies for the event. Thank you Paul David for once again making a MCSPCA event special.

Drs. Lindsay and Christopher Campbell of the feline Medical Center provided their cat health expertise and practical feline wisdom to the attendees. Thank you Doctors!

The event was dedicated to Maryann Small in loving memory of her kitty CeeCee who unexpectedly went to the Rainbow Bridge this year. Maryann has been a long-time MCSPCA volunteer. She designs almost all of our graphic designs for events, invitations and more. She designed our logo and the Homeward Bound Capital Campaign logo, she takes photos at the Pet Walk and has volunteered on the Pet Walk committee for many years. And, she is a member of our Board of Trustees. Her years of service mean a lot to us at the MCSPCA and most all of to the animals. Thank you so much Maryann!



September 24, 2008 Executive Director Ursula Goetz is Awarded Nonprofit Management Award by Community Foundation

Our Executive Director, Ursula Goetz, was named the Monmouth County Recipient of the 2008 Exemplary Performance in Nonprofit Management Award. The Community Foundation of New Jersey honored Ursula during its reception and Annual Meeting on September 24th at the Organization's Tracy House at Knox Hill in Morris County. Exceptional leadership and pre-emptive philanthropy were the talking points of the evening, warmed by inspirational stories and acceptance speeches from leading members within the nonprofit communities of New Jersey.

The Community Foundation is an alliance of donors, businesses, community organizations and leaders that work together to address challenges faced by the people who represent New Jersey's many communities.

Ursula was proudly introduced by Trudy Parton, Monmouth County Community Foundation of New Jersey Steering Committee member and longtime MCSPCA supporter. Ursula, who has served as Executive Director for almost 19 years, accepted her award with heartfelt and unscripted passion in detailing her history and current work toward the prevention of cruelty to animals. She inspired the crowd, including board members, staff, and other worthy recipients from neighboring counties by continuing a theme of compassion and advocacy for all creatures without a voice of their own. Education and community awareness through the hard work of nonprofits are realized through Ursula's career path.

We are looking forward to Ursula continuing to guide us with a growth of programming, fiscal fitness and community outreach envied by much larger nonprofit agencies. Congratulations Ursula!



July 23, 2008 Humane Law Enforcement Chief Amato receives the "Valor Award"
On July 23 Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato received the Valor Award from the City of Keansburg for his role in disarming a woman who was threatening to use a hand grenade and butcher knife. Chief Amato was called to rescue the woman's dog. To the left is a photo of Chief Amato (on the right) with his award and with our Executive Director, Ursula Goetz (on the left). In the photo on the right, Chief Amato is shown receiving the award from the Mayor of Keansburg.

Read about the story in the link below:
The Courier - Keansburg police arrest woman with live hand grenade






June 28, 2008 Chain-Off Event helps spread the word that chaining dogs is cruel
Our Executive Director, Ursula Goetz (to the right), our Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer Buddy Amato (to the left), MCSPCA staff and many volunteers chained themselves to dog houses outside of the shelter on a sweltering day to make a point- that dogs deserve better. The Chain-Off event has been held every year since 2003 to raise awareness that tens of thousands of dogs spend their lives alone at the end of a chain or in a pen in the backyard. Dogs are pack animals, for them to be forced to live solitary lives is cruel. Not only that, but dogs who live on chains become aggressive due to their misery. Bite statistics show that bites occur most often from dogs who are chained. Chaining is bad for dogs and bad for humans!



We thank our volunteer, Lauren Blann, for organizing this event and helping to raise funds to support the cause. To the left is Lauren, sitting in the doghouse!

Below are just a few of the participants. Thank you everyone!

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Francesca	Chains gotta go!	Dogs and humans deserve better!
Princess knows chains gotta go!	News12 New Jersey interviewed participants. Thank you New12 for helping spread the word!	Lots of info was provided too!

June 21, 2008 Gimme Shelter Event was a Huge success!

Our 2nd Annual Gimme Shelter Event was a big success! We were lucky enough to have 55 people turn out for the event, just a few are shown above. What a hard working crew! Everyone worked together and built 12 houses for needy dogs in Monmouth County. We also built four feral cat houses as well. Everyone had a great time!

The event is held in Memory of Leo the Chow, who was found with no shelter at all. His plight inspired this event, to provide basic shelter to dogs (and cats) in Monmouth County. Leo's adopted sister and mom came out to support the event - see them to the right in front of a completed dog house.

We would like to thank all our amazing volunteers who spent their Saturday building dog houses and transporting them to needy dogs. Those dogs were so happy to get their new comfortable, safe homes that will shelter them from the weather.

We also would like to thank our wonderful sponsors who helped make this event a success:

CMX Coalition for the MCSPCA CMX Community Foundation Lowe's of Marlboro H.I.B. Planning and Benefits Slocum & Son Bain's Hardware JTK Electrical Contracting Maryann Small Janella Pini Charles Klimas Ralph & Kathy Ciambruschini Monmouth County Vocational School

February: Area Veterinary Hospitals Help Shelter Pets by Joining our Pearly Whites Program
Recently we started our "Pearly Whites" program. Since we take all animals regardless of age, we take in many senior pets who come to use with dental problems. We also see dental problems in the pets who come to use from cruelty situations. Our "Pearly Whites" program asks participating vets to do dental work pro bono. Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Sea Girt Animal, Marlboro Village Vet Hospital, and most recently Little Silver Animal Hospital have joined our program and among them so far they have helped over 20 shelter pets. Over 90% of the dental procedures these wonderful hospitals have donated were for multiple extractions and serious periodontal disease, saving these pets from pain and discomfort.

We thank all these veterinary hospitals, the vets, vet techs and staff involved in this program. They are making a significant difference in the lives of shelter pets! If you go to one of these hospitals, make sure to thank them for their good work.





The Monmouth County SPCA is given a 4 Star Rating for the fourth year in a row!
Charity Navigator is America's premier independent charity evaluator. They help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing in-depth, objective ratings and analysis of the financial health of America's largest charities. Charity Navigator awarded the Monmouth County SPCA four out of a possible four stars. In earning Charity Navigator's highest four star rating, the MCSPCA has demonstrated exceptional financial health, outperforming most of its peers in its efforts to manage and grow its finances in the most fiscally responsible way possible. Please click on the logo to review our four star rating.

Join Dean's List and help our shelter pets!

Dean Nelson from Dean's Natural Food Markets has started a Customer Loyalty Program that supports our shelter as well as three other local charities. All you have to do is shop!

Dean says: "Raising awareness must not stop with ourselves, but should extend out to our community. With this in mind, I would like to partner with you to help those in need. In an effort to better our community, I have created a customer loyalty program that allows us to lend a hand to local non-profit organizations."

It is easy- first go to one of Dean's stores (in Shrewsbury in the Annie Sez Plaza on 490 Broad Street or at 1119 Rt. 35 in Ocean) and sign up to be on the Dean's List®. You will get a Customer Advantage Club Card, with a "heart" punched in it. Every time you shop, they will scan your card. You will get a "point" for every dollar you spend.

When you reach 250 points, Dean will mail you a $9.00 gift certificate and $1.00 is donated and matched by Dean's. That's $2.00 donated to one of four local non-profit organizations in our community, and we are one of them! The four charities who benefit are MCSPCA, Clean Ocean Action, the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation and The Wellness Community (read more on Dean's website at www.deansnaturalfoodmarket.com.

If you already have a Dean's Customer Advantage card, tell them you want to join Dean's List- they will hole-punch your card with a heart, acknowledging your participation in the Dean's List®.

So- go shopping, buy some very healthy, organic food, and help our shelter pets at the same time! Thank you, and thank you Dean and Loretta Nelson for making a difference in this community.




The MCSPCA Supports New Humane Food Label To Improve The Lives Of Farm Animals

Citing growing consumer concerns over the treatment of farm animals, Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), supported by a coalition of the nation's leading animal welfare and animal protection organizations, including The Monmouth County SPCA, unveiled the "Certified Humane" labeling and certification program. The new "Certified Humane Raised & Handled" label on food products instantly assures consumers that meat, poultry, egg or dairy products come from animals raised at facilities meeting precise, objective, and humane standards for farm animal treatment. The coalition also unveiled a website dedicated to the program at www.certifiedhumane.com.

"The consolidation of the agriculture business and the creation of farms that keep animals in close confinement means too many animals across the country are treated inhumanely," said Adele Douglass, executive director of HFAC. "By purchasing products that carry the 'Certified Humane Raised & Handled' label, consumers will not only be able to buy wholesome meat and dairy products with a clear conscience, but will also send a powerful message to the agriculture industry that the humane care and treatment of farm animals should be a priority.

"The Monmouth County SPCA is proud to support this vital and cutting edge program," said Executive Director, Ursula Goetz. "We applaud the programs rigorous standards and inspection process and genuinely believe this program will better the lives of animals raised for food in the United States today".

According to the USDA, over 8 billion animals are used annually in food production in the United States. To qualify as part of the program and to carry the "Certified Humane Raised & Handled" label on food packaging, producers and processors must meet a rigorous set of Animal Care Standards. A team of veterinarians and animal scientists developed these standards to ensure that producers and processors keep animals in conditions that:

· Offer sufficient space, shelter, and company of same-species animals to limit stress.
· Protect an animal's health by disease prevention.
· Assure good nutrition, including ready access to fresh water and a diet that maintains full health and vigor.

Under the system, added growth hormones are prohibited, and animals are raised on a regular diet of quality feed, free of antibiotics. Producers also must comply with environmental standards. Processors must comply with the American Meat Institute Standards, a higher standard for slaughtering farm animals than the Federal Humane Slaughter Act.

Humane Farm Animal Care, an independent 501(c)3 non-profit charity, conducts regular inspections and administers the "Certified Humane Raised & Handled" program. Participating farmers and ranchers must pass an initial inspection as well as annual re-inspection to remain part of the "Certified Humane Raised & Handled" program by qualified HFAC inspectors who are known in their fields and have expertise education in Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, or other relevant backgrounds. To further assure compliance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Services verifies the inspection process.

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