Voice opposition
to bear hunt
To the editor:
I join with the majority of New Jersey residents who oppose a proposed hunt for black bears.
Most residents know that a bear hunt is about trophies, not public safety. As observed by many bear-country residents and studied and reported by Rutgers scientist Dr. Edward Tavss, hunting does not address nuisance concerns. In fact, states with bear hunts experience rising complaints. And we do not even have a reliable count of the size of the state’s bear population.
I urge readers to call Acting Gov. Richard Codey at (609) 292-6000 to let him know you do not want a bear hunt and that you want him to see that DEP Commissioner Campbell does not sign off on the comprehensive plan which incorporates 5 years of bear hunting.
Susan K. Ferry
Princeton
Squad says thanks
to blood donors
To the editor:
The East Windsor Rescue Squad District 2, Twin Rivers Drive in East Windsor, joined with Community Blood Council of New Jersey to host a Blood Drive on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
We would like to thank all the people who came out to donate blood. Each of the people who came to donate received a T-shirt for their wonderful donation. The blood collected during the drive will be used in local area hospitals. We would also like to thank the Girl Scout troop which helped the donors move from station to station during the blood drive. Congratulations to Chris for his raffle win of the wonderful basket donated by the Community Blood Council of New Jersey. We look forward to another successful blood drive next year.
East Windsor Rescue Squad
District 2
Scout completes
Eagle project
To the editor:
As a Boy Scout of Troop 59 located in Hightstown I recently completed my Eagle Scout service project at the Ely House in Hightstown. My project consisted of building two handmade benches and planting a series of plants and shrubs around the Bank Street side of the building. There is now a small sitting garden in a small alcove against the building.
I would like the thank the following businesses for making donations: Home Depot in East Windsor for all of the lumber and hardware, 18 Lumber in East Brunswick for hardware, Chamberlin and Barclay Inc. in Cranbury for mulch, Timothy’s Garden Center in Robbinsville for mulch, A&M Farm Market in Robbinsville for mulch, Agway in East Windsor for mulch, Rare Find Nursery in Jackson for plants, Village Nurseries in Hightstown for plants, ShopRite Garden Center in East Windsor for plants, Tony’s Farm Market in East Windsor for plants and the Historical Society for a money donation.
I would also like thank Mr. Warren Olsen. As the president of the Historical Society, he was my contact at the Ely House. I want to thank the parents and scouts of Troop 59 and my family for their unconditional support and constant prodding. It has been an honor to contribute my time and be able to give something back to the fine community of Hightstown.
Andrew Kuhn
Hightstown
Salvation Army
needs more help
To the editor:
This has been one of the busiest and most devastating hurricane seasons in recent history. The outpouring of compassion, support and prayers has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. I’d like to sincerely thank our generous donors for their support of The Salvation Army’s relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. In New Jersey alone, donor support for the Army’s relief effort amounted to more than $3 million, which in part has helped to assist more than 1.26 million hurricane victims.
And as we move into the holiday season, I’d like to ask for your continued support of The Salvation Army. You see, needs in our local communities have risen by leaps and bounds and we anticipate that they will continue to grow over the winter season as people are challenged by higher utility bills, the cost of affordable housing and the cost of commuting. For some, food and heat may become a luxury rather than a staple of life.
Inevitably, giving declines after a major disaster but our local needs do not. I’d like to ask for your continued support from our donors when encountering our red kettle bell-ringers or when receiving a mail solicitation. It is only with the public’s support that we will be able to continue our programs for the needy in our communities.
Once again, thank you for your support of the Gulf Coast hurricane victims and please help The Salvation Army as we enter a critical fund-raising season that supports our programs all throughout the year.
God bless
Major Stephen Banfield
NJ State Commander
The Salvation Army
Pet buyers
beware
To the editor:
If you feel bad for the puppy in the window you should see his parents.
Looking for a puppy at a pet shop? Ask where these dogs came from. Most likely they were bred in Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas or Oklahoma. If so, then you will no doubt become the "proud" owner of a puppy mill dog. Most often the pet shop owners will deny they get their dogs from a puppy mill. Be consumerwise ask to see the paperwork.
Lancaster, Pa., is one of the largest puppy mill producers and they are just around the corner. Did you know these puppies were bred from a mother who was probably bred every heat cycle from when she was 5-6 months old, living her entire life in a pen most likely no bigger than a two-draw file cabinet? Breeding with her brothers, sons and other relatives, and breeding until she wears out and cannot be bred anymore? Then she is destroyed. That this puppy may suffer from both physical and psychological problems stemming from poor breeding or inbreeding possibly not showing up for one to two years?
Many of the pet-shop purebred dogs that rescues are seeing nowadays have either health or behavior issues and are between the ages of 1 and 3. Did you know puppy mill puppies are often housed in unsanitary conditions with cages stacked one on top of the other with their waste falling from top to bottom, they live in crowded wire cages and are denied human companionship? And that between unsanitary conditions and poor treatment in transport, only half survive to make it to "market?" Did you know purebred papers do not guarantee the health, temperament or even the gender of the animal? They only serve as a registry.
As hard as it is to walk away from the pet store and that little puppy or kitten, remember your purchase encourages the continuation of puppy mills and only buys a lifetime of misery for many others. Many pet stores across the country do not sell puppies and kittens but instead offer space to rescue organizations and shelters and encourage responsible placement of animals in loving homes.
Cat breeding occurs on a smaller scale, but under similar conditions.
If you are looking for that special breed, look to a reputable breeder through a veterinarian or, better yet, a breed rescue group or shelter. Twenty-five percent of dogs and cats in shelters are purebreds. Remember for every animal you adopt, you save two the one you adopted and the room you make for the next homeless pet to be rescued.
Marilyn Hondorp
East Windsor
Friends for Education and Welfare

