Animal Shelter Marks 7th Year

CREST HAVEN — They were having a howlin’ and a meowin’ good time at the Cape May County Animal Shelter on Fri., July 15 when over 100 people went to the shelter to celebrate its seventh birthday.
While the humans enjoyed the festivities, the shelter’s residents seemed nonplussed. Bianca, Tara, Cupcake, Willy, Ethan, Pickles, Othello, and Jamie looked out of their cages in the cat room and closed their eyes.
Anne M. Davies, 76, of North Wildwood, a shelter volunteer who helps with the cats at PetSmart, talked about the virtues of adopting a shelter pet.
“Animals deserve a home and to be loved,” said Davies. “I don’t think people who don’t have pets realize what they are missing.”
Davies practices what she preaches. “I only have rescued pets,” she said. “I can’t imagine buying an animal.” Davies is now down to one cat. “I moved and I can only have one where I live now.”
Not so, however for the Capecci family of Court House. They were picking up their five cats after having them spayed and neutered.
“The pregnant mother was in our backyard,” said Louis Capecci, a local radiologist. “She had her litter. We had her spayed, along with the babies and we’re taking them home.” He explained that the mother cat had shown up at in their backyard at Easter. “We think she had been born in our backyard, too,” said Capecci. As to her five, 10-week old progeny? “We feed them, we love them.”
Down in the dog room the kennels were filled with pooches of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Peppy, a 10-year-old Labrador retriever mix sat calmly while waiting for his forever people to come see him. Peppy’s owners brought him to the shelter when they moved and couldn’t take him. “He’s a sweet family dog,” said a volunteer.
Freeholder Leonard Desiderio, board liaison to the shelter, was present to help celebrate the shelter’s milestone. “I’m very excited,” he said. “This shelter is truly a Cape May County treasure. The care and love that is given to these animals is incredible. I encourage everyone to come and see how they are treated and cared for.”
As with most birthday parties, there were gifts to be given. “I brought a lot of things to the party,” said Court House resident Carol Holmes. Holmes adopted her dog, Buddy, from the shelter two years ago. Accompanying Holmes to the festivities was her granddaughter, 9-year-old Kaitlyn Jones of Northfield. “I like Buddy,” said Jones. “He does tricks like shaking hands.”
With so many pets from which to choose, the shelter is making the choice a bit easier. Through July 21, the shelter is offering a half-price “sale.” All adoption fees will be cut in half. The adoption fee includes spaying or neutering, microchipping, up-to-date immunizations, and an examination by a vet prior to adoption as well as coupons for pet supplies. Anyone adopting a dog will also receive two coupons for a free bath at local groomers.
An example of the half-price adoption fee is Landon, a black Maine Coon. “He’s a love bug,” said Leslie Riedel, shelter assistant manger. Normally $35, Landon can be adopted for $17.50.
Barbara Golla of Cold Spring stood at the cage of long-time resident Erika. Erika, a gray tabby has been at the shelter for months. “I lost my female cat in January,” said Golla. “I’ve been thinking about it.” After spending some time with Erika, Golla decided this was the girl for her to take home. “I even like her name,” she said, as she filled out the adoption paperwork.
As the party wound down and the guests started to leave, it was time for the pets to get back to what they do while living at the shelter – waiting for their forever family to find them.