Shelter Volunteer Supports Director

To The Editor:
I have been a volunteer at the Cape May County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center for almost five years, with a cumulative total of over 2,000 hours in that time span. I consider those hours some of the best spent and most well invested of my life. It’s therefore very frustrating, as someone who is extremely familiar with the shelter and its staff, to read Letters to the Editor, or (for those not willing to sign their name to their own opinions) to read anonymous comments in “Spout Off” criticizing the shelter.
Since Judy Davies-Dunhour took over as director in 2009, the shelter has undergone many dramatic and positive changes. Adoptions of both dogs and cats have increased, the building is immaculate and welcoming for both animals in residence and those who come to visit or adopt, and at this point in time, the shelter has nearly reached a point where, according to American Humane Society guidelines, it could be considered “no kill.” Every effort is made to be certain animals are adopted into homes where they will be treated well and won’t end up being returned to the shelter for any reason.
Occasionally, however, it is part of the director’s job to turn down an application, if in her discretion there is a better option for the animal in question. I was sorry to read that a potential adopter was disappointed not to be able to take Lily the cat home, but glad to know that Lily will be given a chance to live with all her toes intact. Declawing a cat is painful and can, on occasion, cause a cat to grow into a biter, as their first line of defense, their claws, have been removed.
While the shelter does not specifically say cats will not be adopted to those who are honest enough to say they may declaw, it only makes sense that if another person is interested in a certain animal and does not intend to declaw, the choice is clear what is in the animal’s best interest, and that is, after all, the director’s job.
I trust implicitly that the shelter director considered the options for Lily carefully and did what she felt was best for the cat. She has my complete and absolute support, and my thanks for making the shelter the positive, safe harbor it is for animals in Cape May County. Thanks, Judy.
JANET T. KOWALSKI
Court House