Animal Control for Lower Hires Local ACO Officer

SEAVILLE – Shore Animal Control Services, which recently signed an agreement with the Township of Lower to provide full time animal control services for the municipality, has hired former ACO Don Montgomery on a part time basis. Montgomery has been an integral component of this important transition stage for the animal control company and this joint venture will be a positive step for the community.
Shore Animal Control owner and operator Dr. Nick Holland has known Montgomery for many years through his veterinary practice in Seaville, Shore Veterinarians. Dr. Holland along with his business partner Linda Gentille attended a recent township meeting to publicly thank Montgomery for his help in this important 2 week transition stage and to offer him a part time job with the company. Holland states, “We are so pleased to have Don accept our offer to work part time for us in the township. He has done a wonderful job and we want to continue this partnership. He will be rotating with our other 6 officers who service many of the municipalities in Cape May County. We feel this is a win-win-win for Don, our company and the residents of the community.”
Lower Township received numerous positive endorsements of the animal control company from other municipalities Shore Animal Control, which was founded in 2009, currently serves in addition to Lower Township: Upper Township, Dennis Township, West Cape May, Woodbine and Wildwood. The company serves under the guidance of Shore Veterinarians, a company Dr. Holland formed over 30 years ago in Seaville, New Jersey. Shore Animal Control Services has a large staff of 6 animal control officers and 2 office managers to handle calls and records for the various municipalities it services. Holland continues, “We have officers from Lower Township, Dennis Township and Wildwood who are very familiar with the territories we service. Providing 24/7 call center and service requires numerous officers to avoid burn out. We are fortunate we have such a dedicated staff who often work overtime to help an animal in need. Don will be a great addition to our winning team.”
Below are the services that Shore Animal Control Services will provide:
• A dedicated ACO will be stationed in Lower Township to patrol and answer all calls Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and will maintain regular patrols in the township, picking up stray animals and capturing injured or sick wildlife or wildlife which is inside the living quarters and posing a threat to the inhabitant. This does not include nuisance wildlife in attics.
• Maintain availability and quick access 24-hours per day, seven days per week.
• Pick up road kill from roadways.
• Provide a monthly activity report detailing all calls in the municipality.
• Continue to promote trap, neuter and release of cats.
• Appear in court on behalf of the township when summonses are issued.
• Maintain liability insurance of $1 million to protect the township.
• Investigate cruelty cases working with the New Jersey Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and NJSPCA Police.
• Assist with the annual rabies clinic for residents.
• Assist with emergency sheltering of animals during a major storm.
• Conduct a dog census which is a state requirement.
Shore Animal Control has already been active in the township responding to numerous calls reporting animals left outside without proper shelter. Shore Animal Control will be vigilant during these extreme temperatures to ensure all outdoor animals are properly cared for. They are requesting the public’s help in identifying any animals left outside during these extreme temperatures. The officers are checking to ensure animals are safe and cared for and will be enforcing the local and state animal welfare ordinances currently in place to protect outdoor dogs. To report any stray animals, or outdoor animals, please call 1-800- 351-1822 and the officers will investigate. Warnings and summons are currently being issued for all violations in the municipality.