A n old Chinese proverb states, “He who helps others helps himself.” A group of GreaterMediaNewspapers employees proved that adage true Feb. 17 when they volunteered at the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center, as part of Greater Media’s Day of Greater Good campaign to offer assistance to charitable organizations that could use a few extra hands.
Greater Media Newspapers Human Resources Manager Linda Vinci, News Editor Adele Young, Controller Kathy McBain, staff writer Sam Slaughter and Production Department page paginator Diane Thompson set out early on the day of their mission bearing food, toys, cleaning supplies, blankets and towels donated by GMN employees. They were welcomed by the staff who were grateful for the assistance and supplies. They were greeted with curiosity and excitement by the 100 cats and 13 dogs all waiting to be adopted at the nokill center, which has a capacity of 18 dogs and approximately 200 cats that will never be put to sleep due to age, illness or overcrowding, at that shelter.
The shelter is attached to the Sayrebrook Veterinary Hospital, 1400 Main St. in Sayreville. According to Barbara Keegan, shelter director, the adoption center was started 18 years ago as an offshoot of the veterinary hospital when people abandoned their pets at the hospital. In 1999 Dr. Joseph Chiosi, who owns the hospital, opened the center, which has indooroutdoor kennels and a playground for dogs.
Each GMN volunteer was paired with a shelter employee and given tasks to perform. In addition to Keegan, the GMN volunteers met shelter staffers Jeanine Abood-Molson, sheltermanager; Karen Stratton; Terry Davies; Dory Noel; Jane Dynow; Joe Halmi; and Walt Keegan.
The volunteers dived right in and helped with the morning routine of cleaning all the cages and dog runs, mopping the floors, preparing and serving 50-60 cans of cat and dog food, and washing and folding the 50 loads of laundry done every day to clean the towels and rags used to keep the animals and their cages clean and comfortable.
As they worked, the volunteers got to know the sad stories behind the faces of the animals that were lucky enough to find their way out of the cold streets, abusive situations, heartbreaking losses or economic strife and into this temporary safe haven that, hopefully, would lead to a forever home.
They met two sister cats, Kym and Nina, who had each given birth to litters of tiny kittens, 6weeks old and 6 days old, respectively.
Signs on the cages noted each pet’s personality, some saying “needs cuddling” or “a gentle giant.” The gentle giant was a huge dog named Hercules, who was rescued by the Sayreville shelter the day before he was to be put to sleep at a facility in Camden.
At 12:30 p.m. the shelter’s doors opened to the public. Volunteers, like Jennifer Bugget, an EMT from Keyport who visits on her way home from work, came to walk and play with the dogs to get them used to being with people and give them the attention they crave. Others came with donations; still more came looking for a new family member.
That day an unusually high number of dogs found their way to new homes. Ralphie, a 10-month-old German shepherd, got to meet his new parents. They showed up after seeing him online and said they had a big yard waiting for him. When GMN’s Kathy McBain, an experienced groomer, saw Kyle, a 5-year-old Shih Tzu who was quite scraggly, she got out the grooming tools she had brought along and went to work. In less than two hours, she transformed the little guy into a handsome pooch, just in time to meet his new family, which includes three other Shih Tzus. Kyle was about to be put down when the center rescued him.
That day, the shelter workers found out that someone who had visited Willie, an active brown pup who was recently brought to the shelter, was coming back to adopt him.
Many dogs and cats still remain at the shelter. Some, like Moo, a big black and white dog, were so happy to see visitors that they were literally jumping (very high) for joy. Perhaps the happiest ending was for Colby, a big light-brown pooch who was surrendered to the shelter after his caretaker lost his home and was forced to live temporarily in his car with the dog. Colby was adopted but was returned shortly when the new owner’s boyfriend didn’t want a dog. However, Colby’s original dad is now in a better position and was coming to reclaim him in a few days.
By mid-afternoon, the GMN volunteers and shelter workers watched tearfully as the once homeless dogs went off to start a new and better chapter in their lives.
“It was such a heartwarming experience,” said LindaVinci. “Seeing those dogs go home to good families was just a wonderful sight.”
Keegan watched Kyle leave and said, “It’s just a flood of emotions, especially when you see something like this, a dog that was so sick and scruffy, and now he’s going to have a great home. I let them go with mixed emotions because we love them, but we want them to go. And Willie and Ralphie are also going home today, too! This doesn’t always happen here. You brought us luck, and we’re so excited to have you here and so grateful for all the donations.”
The adoption center depends on individuals and businesses for donations. Clean towels and blankets are needed for bedding as are cleaning supplies and pet food. Monetary donations help purchase supplies and medication.
The adoption center is currently selling bricks for Paw Print Way, to be built outside the kennel area attached to the building. Orders will be accepted through June 30 for small ($50) or large ($125) engraved bricks in honor or memory of a loved pet.
In addition, a “Tricky Tray” benefit will be heldApril 29 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 88 Jackson St., South River. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Call 732-727-3895 or visit the shelter for details about either fundraiser or about pet adoptions.
The SayrevilleAdoption Center is open to the public at 12:30 p.m. every day and closes at 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; at 7 p.m. on Thursday; at 4 p.m. on Saturday; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.