Local Entertainer and Conductor Linda Gentille Leads an Unusual Dual Lifestyle

SEAVILLE – Local entertainer and conductor of the Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra leads an unusual and busy life. Much of the year she is performing on luxury cruise ships such as Regent, Silver Seas, Oceania and Celebrity Cruises. She returns each summer season to conduct the popular summer orchestra The Jersey Shore Pops. The season begins in July at The Middle Township Performing Arts Center located in Cape May Court House.
While on the cruise ships during the day, Gentille works tirelessly to help rescue injured animals or lost pets with her company Shore Animal Control. She manages the business with the help of eight other dedicated animal control officers and cruelty investigators. The company was founded in 2009 by Shore Veterinarians owner Dr. Nick Holland and currently services most of the municipalities in Cape May County.
Gentille moved to Cape May County 20 years ago from California and became involved with many animal rescue groups. She was one of the founders and former presidents of The Animal Alliance of CMC. As a strong advocate for spay and neuter, SAC works closely with the Cape May County Animal Shelter and The Alliance to help reduce overpopulation in the county. She and her husband, who have lived in Petersburg for 17 years, have three rescue dogs and six cats from the CMC Animal Shelter.
Gentille comments,” I have always loved animals and am so happy to combine my two passions of music and animals into a wonderful career. I am very blessed to have the opportunity to be paid to travel on cruise ships. It is an amazing job! On the cruise ships, I perform only one show a week and have all day to work on animal issues with my officers. Fortunately, the technology on the ships allows great communication through the internet. It is as if I never left home. We are so fortunate to have an amazing group of dedicated officers who love animals as much as we do!”
Having lots of free time on the cruise ship allows Gentille to do the Facebook postings for the many lost and found pets throughout South Jersey. Dozens of animals are lost and found each week and Facebook has been an enormous help to relocate many of these pets. Shore Animal Control’s FB page has over 7,000 likes and followers who help immediately spread the word and within an hour most animal’s owners are found. To learn more about SAC, please go to www.ShoreAnimalControl.com.