The Toms River Animal Shelter is not closing, says Mayor Dan Rodrick.
“After I took office, I went over there and knocked on the front door,” he said. “They wouldn’t let me in and said I have to make an appointment. Then they realized who I was and they let me in.”
“I was appalled to learn the shelter was full and we were not making it easy to adopt a pet,” Rodrick said.
Rodrick said he met with staff and said he wants them to find homes for all the animals and wants to stop taking any new animals until he’s sure they will be in a place where people can easily adopt them.
He wants walk-in adoptions and a few nights of after hours adoption for people who work.
The staff reportedly balked at his request and did not want to open extended hours.
Rodrick added, that until there is space and we can make it easier to adopt, send the dogs and cats to Ocean County Animal Shelter.” That shelter is open daily and does not require an appointment.
Rodrick says it costs $50 per dog to send to the Jackson shelter, and the staff there is capable and suitable to make sure they find good homes.
“The Toms River shelter is a beautiful and new building, it is not closing but we’re not in the business of keeping cats and dogs in cages. We’re in the business of finding good homes for every animal. No animal deserves to live months and years in a cage. It’s inhumane.”
When asked what’s next if things don’t change?
“Look. I’m not going to run a dog prison. There have been complaints about the shelter for years. If we can’t do it right, then I would say let’s let the county run it. They have two shelters. They’re good at what they do. They have the staff and infrastructure to run it properly.”
Rodrick says he has hired a new kennel aide to make sure the animals get the care and treatment they need until they find a new home.
When asked when they will stop sending animals to the county facility, he says “we’re discussing it internally.”
NJ Shidduch Commissioner: “The Freezer Is Not Closing”
“The Bachurim’s Freezer is not closing anytime soon”, NJ Shidduch Commissioner, Carmen Frost, reassured reporters on Friday.
“After I took office, I brought along a handful of shadchanim with me, and we went over there and knocked on the Freezer door,” he said. “The staff refused to let us in. They pointed to a sign on the Freezer door that said: “No Trespassing! No Exceptions! Violaters Will Be Towed Away at Their Own Expense, and Will be Subject to a $500 Fine!”
“When the staff realized who we were, they barricaded the door, and, within minutes, they installed a double lock on the door,” he said.
“I was appalled to learn that the Freezer was full, and that we were not making it easier for the Freezer occupants to find their barsherts,” he said.
Mr. Frost went on to say that he later met with the Freezer staff and pleaded with them to “find suitable spouses and permanent bayis ne’emans for the bachurim.”
He also told the staff to refrain from taking in any new bachurim into the Freezer until he is sure “they will be in a place where they can find suitable spouses and warm and comfortable living quarters, free from the cold elements and the harsh realities of Freezer life.”
The Commissioner also requested the Freezer staff “to allow ‘Walk-In-Shadchanim’ into the premises and to institute a few hours a week of ‘Meet & Greets’ between the bachurim and shadchanim after seder hours.”
“The Freezer is a beautiful place,” the Commisioner said, “and we are not planning to close it down anytime soon. But we are not in the business of isolating the bachurim away from their shadchanim and their barsherts. Quite the contrary, we’re in the business of finding bayis ne’emans for all of the bachurim. No bachur deserves to live for months at at a time in an ice cold Freezer! Even my gefilte fish does not stay in the Freezer for more than a few days.”
When asked what’s next if things don’t change?
“Look, I’m not going to run a bachurims’ prison,” he said. “Bachurim – like everyone else – deserve to get married at some point in their lives!’
Thank you Mayor Rodrick!!