Inspections keep facility open
By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HELMETTA —After receiving several complaints, the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter (HRAS) has been issued warnings from the Middlesex County Health Department regarding violations after two inspections of the facility at the end of September found it "conditionally satisfactory."
"They came here and the report was very straightforward," said HRAS Director Michal Cielesz on Oct. 3, as she walked back to her office to bring out the report.
The shelter located at 58 Main Street was the subject of two county health inspections on Sept. 26 and Sept. 30.
"We are still fixing the floors (gluing them back down in the dog run), the outdoor thing (dog play area), and (in) our paperwork the identifications are on everything, and that was a big issue," she said.
Helmetta Director of Public Works Darren Doran said the shelter has been arguing with a contractor for two years about issues on the floors upstairs.
"We had a contention with the builder of the floors upstairs in the kennel from the beginning," said Mr. Doran. "We have been fighting them for two years. He’s not going to (fix) it, so it’s going to be on us."
He said it is going to cost around $50,000 to have all the floors upstairs replaced and the borough will need to go out for bonding to finance the repairs.
"The outside run needs a concrete pad with drainage," he said, adding that repair will cost approximately $18,000.
On Sept. 26, a letter was written by the Director of the Office of Health Services for the Middlesex Department of Public Safety and Health, Lester H. Jones, to Ms. Cielesz, advising her of a case of Feline Panleukopenia, more commonly known as distemper, that went undiagnosed at the shelter until after the cat was adopted.
"It was brought to our attention that the feline in question was not diagnosed while in the care of the shelter, but post-adoption," said Mr. Jones in the letter.
Borough Councilwoman Yvette Bruno said she that she "happened to be in the parking lot" during the time the inspectors visited.
"They were there because the State Health Department received information about (the shelter) adopting out a cat that unfortunately had distemper," she said. "I informed them prior to going into the shelter that I was told that there are three dogs that had Parvovirus (a viral infection) and that two of the dogs were put to sleep and the one dog, "Dancer," was in the isolation room."
Mr. Jones said that they were "hereby noticed that all felines adopted within the next 10 calendar days must be seen by a veterinarian and cleared for adoption prior to finalizing of said adoption."
"Failure to comply may result in further regulatory action including, by not limited to, quarantine of the facility for a minimum period of 10 calendar days and the issuance of Notice of Violation and or court summons," he said.
"The health department said the shelter can do one of two things, one, (send all cats to a) vet to prevent the spread of distemper or to close down," Councilwoman Bruno said. "How sad is this. They chose to close down and in my opinion just let these babies die. That, in my opinion, is animal cruelty."
Ms. Cielesz, however, said that the shelter is "not closed down."
"I felt that it was in the best interest of everybody to make sure we are watching every single cat for 10 days to make sure that nobody else becomes sick and we did," she said, adding that no other cats got sick.
"We are doing our due diligence to make sure we do the right thing," she said. "Every cat in that adoption room has their vaccines."
Ms. Cielesz said that there were two or three cats in the adoption room with "upper respiratory infections coming on."
"The cats were checked in the morning and we had a vet here," she said. "We were examining the kittens. The kittens were bright, alert, and responsive. We came back a half a hour later and (one had) passed away. I don’t know what happened and there was a veterinarian here."
"We do have a new vet now that comes right to the shelter with their mobile exam lab," Mr. Doran said. "They will be coming here every week."
Ms. Cielesz said it is "going to be two ways."
"If we can’t have the veterinarian come here and it is something that we need to get done ASAP then we will take them to another vet," she said. "We are not going to wait."
Mr. Doran said they were also looking at FIV testing for the cats.
"This history can go with the animal," he said. "These are improvements that I think are going to be better. We don’t want to give anybody an animal that is not healthy."
Mr. Doran said that they are looking into buying a "UV generated ozone" as a health preventive measure.
"There are 10 of these units that are going to be purchased that will go in the cat rooms and dog kennels," he said. "They produce an ozone that kills air-borne bacteria."
There were 43 dogs, 153 cats, a bird, a snake, and rabbit in the facility during the time of inspection.
According to the Sept. 26 report from the health department, the shelter was cited for interior surfaces not impervious to moisture, outdoor enclosure surfaces disposal of run off, frequency of cleaning, isolation of animals with communicable disease, record keeping, and importation of dogs- certification requirements.
Remarks listed on the report included no identification numbers on medical cards for the dog in isolation, no out of state health certificates with vet signatures, medical records incomplete on a dog named Dancer that was tested twice for Parvovirus with no recorded results, no identification numbers on cage cards in cat adoption and isolation rooms, two cats who had the same identification number, and two healthy stray cats observed in isolation room.
The report stated that "isolation is for sick animals only."
On Sept. 30, the second report no longer cited frequency of cleaning, isolation of animals with communicable disease, and importation of dogs certification requirements.
In addition, the report stated issues that Ms. Cielesz was expecting a proposal for abatement of the outside dog play area within two weeks and that computer generated tracking numbers will be provided on all required paperwork within a week.
Animals received from out of state now have veterinary certificates prior to the arrival at the facility.
Two different inspectors performed this inspection.
During this inspection, it was reported that there were 44 dogs, 149 cats, 1 African Grey Parrot, a snake and a rabbit in the facility.
The report stated two indoor dog kennels have peeling wall paint and several dog kennels have gaps at the floor and wall junctures prohibiting proper cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces.
The second floor cat room floors have been satisfactorily re-tiled in damaged areas and isolation rooms are no longer being used to receive intake animals.
One of the shelter’s critics, the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA), took to its Facebook page to update concerned animal activists on Sept. 26.
According to the post by NJSPCA President Captain Rick Yocum, NJSPCA LE Officers inspected the Helmetta Shelter and a report that was generated is not being released at this time.
"The NJSPCA is treating this shelter case as we do all shelter cases," he said. "Warnings are issued first and failure to comply or take corrective actions could result in summons being issued.
He said that NJSPCA has issued written warnings to the Helmetta Shelter before.
The shelter has 30 to 60 days to address the issues raised in those warnings. The NJSPCA will be conducting unannounced inspections to ensure compliance, he said.
On Sept. 12, a letter was sent from the New Jersey State Humane Police to the Helmetta Borough Administrator Herbert Massa stating that an investigation was done on Aug. 14.
The letter cited several issues including failure to supply a living animal necessary care – a German Shepherd dog was matted in need of immediate grooming care; failure to supply a living animal necessary care – three kittens with conjunctivitis – insufficient dose of medicines per Dr. Shatynski, DVM; a current health certificate, no more than 24 hours old and issued by a New Jersey State licensed veterinarian in good standing must be provided for all animals that are sold or offered to be sold for an "adoption fee; all animal health and background records must be provided to the animals new or current foster(s), owner(s) or caretaker(s); any animal(s) that appears to be injured, sick, hurt, ill or not acting normally shall be seen by a New Jersey State licensed veterinarian in good standing immediately; and that the Standard Operating Procedure was not made available for review to all staff members and volunteers.
Shelter cases are emotional for all involved and are also very time consuming. Many shelters have "issues that need correcting" so allow the NJSPCA to continue our efforts on this case, he said.
The shelter opened in June 2011 and Ms. Cielesz began in April 2011.
"I came in as it was being built," said Ms. Cielesz. "I started right before the shelter was finished."
She said that it "probably has 200 plus animals" in the shelter as of Friday morning. She did not say if there is a maximum capacity the shelter could hold.
"This is the one thing good about the shelter is that we can change things around so that if there is an emergency, we could change things around to add more cages and wall units," she said. "There is the space and the available rooms to do that and really pull our weight."
Mr. Doran remembered how the idea to build the shelter came about.
"There were no impound facilities available for various municipalities," he said. "We recognized the need and we were able to build a municipal shelter to service the needs of various municipalities in Middlesex County as well as Monmouth County."
The shelter services 21 municipalities including Cranbury, Millstone, Monroe, East Windsor and Hightstown, according to the borough’s website.
"There is a shortage of impound facilities," he said. "Everybody needs this."
The shelter is listed as a "low kill shelter."
"We (only) euthanize if they are very ill or we cannot safely adopt them out," she said, adding they have a "responsibility to the public."
She said "it’s a harsh, harsh decision."
"That’s the biggest thing," she said. "How do you socialize an animal that has no trust for humans in this type of environment without getting injured and without traumatizing the animal?"
Mr. Doran said that because it is a municipal shelter and not a rescue "we have feral cats for our clients."
"If a feral cat comes into the shelter and can’t be handled safely, or make it to the adoption room, it has to be put to sleep," he said. "This is the harsh reality with being a municipal animal shelter versus a rescue."
He said "it’s a very sensitive situation."
Councilwoman Bruno, however, said she is "concerned with the way things are being handled at the shelter."
"I can assure everyone that I am here to make that change," she said. "However, this seems to be a very slow process and I personally don’t have patience. I am trying everything in my power to get things done quickly and correctly. I am asking everyone to bear with me as I review everyone’s complaints and suggestions via email, social media, employees and volunteers. I take my position very seriously. I am listening and trying to address all concerns."
She said her involvement comes "because I was elected by my town to the borough council in January 2014 and then put on the animal shelter committee."
"I have put my heart and soul into this every day," she said. "I care about the animals and want them all adopted out."
She said that she is currently trying to put together a list of volunteers and a schedule.
"I have approved about 10 volunteers since being appointed to this committee at the end of June," she said. "We have hired a new animal control officer that supports the new processes and change."
She is asking for posts on Facebook of people’s lost pet information.
"This is very important so we can help reunite more animals with their owners," she said. "I am also working with one of our employees to call in some rescues to come and help us out. I would like to personally invite anyone to send me information about any rescues that might be interested in working with us. I know that Carteret Rescue Group has come in recently and has helped us out. We are also currently working with Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) and reviewing various other rescues including Ally Cat Allies."
She said that she is also working on "other issues within the shelter which include record keeping, cleaning, caring of the animals, and vet care."
She said that she is "not a fan of euthanasia."
"I feel every animal should have a fighting chance to find a forever home, whether it be adoption, foster, or rescue," she said. "I am a very big animal lover and I want to advocate for these animals to get them adopted."
Cranbury Committeeman and former Mayor Glenn Johnson said that the township is required to offer services to residents, by way of animal control and the contractual arrangements, and have made those agreements with the shelter to fulfill those responsibilities.
He said that Cranbury entered into a shared services agreement with Helmetta for services in 2012, and the agreement concludes in December.
"Under the agreement, if an animal from Cranbury is impounded and requires veterinary services, Cranbury Township pays for those services," he said. "For the seven days during which shelters are required to house stray animals, Cranbury pays $100 for dogs, $90 for cats and $40 for kittens. If our Public Works Department believes a wild animal’s behavior suggests rabies, they trap the animal and Helmetta transports the animal and arranges for rabies testing."
Mr. Doran said that they have had a lot of positive cases of rabies this year in Middlesex County and the municipalities they service.
"These cats in the streets are not vaccinated and come in contact with the rabies (virus)," he said. "This is a public health threat."
"Some of the municipalities want the unvaccinated feral cats addressed," He said. "As a municipal shelter we provide that."
Mr. Johnson said he spoke with a health officer with the Middlesex County Health Department who inspects animal shelters, including the Helmetta facility.
"Every time the Health Department receives a complaint about the shelter, they investigate," he said. "She stated that the Helmetta shelter does a fine job in caring for the animals entrusted to them. The director of the facility has taken animals home with her on those occasions when the animals required medications to be administered during the night."
The violations listed on the inspection report that has been posted online are common to many shelters, he added.
"Most shelters are somewhat understaffed and a bit behind on their record keeping," he said. "Some of the record keeping deficiencies are not Helmetta’s fault. There were some dogs transported to Helmetta from a shelter in a southern state, and the paperwork that accompanied the animals was not signed by a veterinarian as required."
He said that all shelters have a book called a Standing Orders Binder.
"The binder lists protocols the shelter staff can follow in treating certain health conditions without involving a veterinarian," he said. "These health conditions include upper respiratory infections and de-worming. The Standing Orders Binder at Helmetta had been reviewed by a veterinarian and approved by him, but he had not signed it as required."
Mr. Johnson said "some of the allegations made against the Helmetta shelter have been presented in social media to appear alarming."
"For example, there is a posting on the Internet about cats being shipped from the Helmetta shelter to a facility in North Carolina," he said. "In fact a group of older adult cats was shipped from Helmetta to a no-kill shelter in South Carolina where they can live un-caged in a large room with other cats."
Monroe Township Business Administrator Wayne Hamilton agreed.
"There have been so many unsubstantiated rumors, you almost do not know who to believe," said Mr. Hamilton in an email Sept. 29.
He said, according to Monroe Police Department Chief Michael Lloyd, that the animal control officers "have not experienced any problems, nor have they witnessed any issues that would cause concern."
"The Police Department has advised us that the Middlesex County Health Department regularly inspects the kennel facility and, other than some minor issues, has found it to be compliant to the best of their knowledge, there were no issues found that would require the facility to be shut down as a result of those inspections," he said.
Mr. Johnson said that the Office of Health Services of the Middlesex County Department of Public Safety and Health sent a letter to Mayor Susan Goetz on Aug. 1 with its findings.
"At no time during this inspection or on previous site visits to the shelter was there any evidence found that animals were being abused or cruelly treated," he said. "Also, there were no instances where gross unsanitary conditions were found at the HRAS."
Mr. Hamilton said that Monroe officials would continue to "monitor the situation."
"If conditions change negatively, we would then re-evaluate the shared services agreement," he said. "Monroe Township is one of the more recent shared services partners, having only begun using Helmetta’s animal shelter on Jan. 1, 2013. The current agreement expires on Dec. 31, 2016, but can be terminated at any time by either party upon 60 days written notice to the other party."
Millstone Mayor Bob Kinsley was contacted as well as Deputy Mayor Michael Kuczinski, but have not commented as of press time.
Animal activists have been voicing concerns through social media over the conditions of the shelter and taking action through sending letters to local and state officials as well as the mayors who use the shelter. They have been publicizing documents obtained through Open Public Records Act and sharing them.
"It’s a personal campaign," Ms. Cielesz said. "It’s not about the animals. I don’t think this (controversy) benefits the animals."
Ms. Cielesz said that critics are "attacking us and trying to get rid of us."
"For what purpose, I don’t know other than it’s a personal dislike," she said.
Posts on social media have included animal activists calling for the removal of the director, Helmetta Mayor Nancy Martin and her son ACO Brandon Metz. A petition was started on change.org asking for the resignation of Mayor.
"It has affected all the employees," Mr. Doran said. "It’s affected people that come here. In some instances, they are afraid to come here."
He said it has created a "very uneasy feeling and feel uncomfortable coming to work."
Certain statements were put on social media that threatened people, he added.
The shelter has 10 employees.
"We are involved in the community service program," he said, adding that people are assigned there who have to work off-hours for the court.
Ms. Cielesz said that she has about "seven or eight steady volunteers."
"We have volunteers all the time," she said, adding that she has had some of the volunteers who have been coming since 2011.