Down Escher Street in Trenton, before you come to the
Trenton Soup Kitchen, is a small, peach-colored building with a novel front
roof line and, usually, the sound of many dogs barking.
dogs lets them tell the world they’re there — and maybe also remind the world
that they need loving homes. The cats
housed at the shelter share that need; they just can’t sing it out.
around the shelter, where they can see and be seen. Though Trenton Cats Rescue volunteers
visit the cats, it’s mostly to socialize and clean cages because felines remain
confined, not allowed to walk or play on the shelter floor.
on weekends. Beyond people who come to
the shelter looking for adoptable pets, those events are the main chance for cats
to be seen, chosen and taken home.
Here’s a walking tour-in-words through the shelter. (Regrettably,
I learned too late I needed special permission to photograph inside.)
Kitchen is the actual entry. Once inside,
the shelter manager’s office and a doctor’s area share space on the left, while
on the right is a cat admissions room lined with stacked metal cages. It includes a small sink and stored items.
ahead is a wide, windowless and doorless room with more stacked cat cages and a
washer-dryer. Towels and blankets are
stored here, with a couple sinks and cleaning supplies right outside.
dogs can be housed in stacked metal cages.
A few feet away, another door leads to a long row of dog kennels, each
with a door to the outside, for larger dogs.
In no way is the Trenton Animal Shelter palatial; it’s
neither capacious nor well-ventilated, and it lacks an isolation area and a
get-acquainted room, as well as accommodations allowing cats to stretch their
legs and get exercise. During the years
I volunteered at TAS, and since, there’s been talk of a new or renovated building. Right now the immediate hope is for trailers
to be placed across the street for overflow functions and office space.
became Chief/Manager in 2017. He serves
as bureau chief, supervising four other officers — Hector Avalos, Nikijha
Blakeley, Jose Millan and Jason Riley — in the Humane Law Enforcement side of
operations, and serves as shelter manager for the Animal Sheltering side.
days so owners can claim missing pets, some spend weeks or months at TAS before
being adopted or special-rescued by a rescue group, Munoz says.
regardless of age, breed or sex. Cats
are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped before adoption; same for
the dogs except for micro-chipping.
Munoz wishes people wanting to help TAS would first learn
how to care for their pets, including becoming familiar with state and local
laws and ordinances. Donations to TAS
might include leashes and harnesses; cat carriers; chew toys, Kongs for dogs
and cat toys; and towels (not
blankets). Food gifts aren’t recommended
because animals can suffer from mixed-up diets.
best “donation” well-wishers can make.
and 9-11 am Saturday and Sunday, the Trenton Animal Shelter is at 72 Escher St.,
Trenton. Phone: 609-989-3254. To see shelter pets available for adoption: TAS.Petfinder.com.
#
Your comments are always welcome. Just go to 1moreonce.blogspot.com.