LATEST NEWS
St. Hubert’s Responds to Emergency Dog Rescue
St. Hubert’s was asked to assist in the rescue of a large number of dogs in Burlington County on Wednesday, November 14 and along with some of our partner organizations our team was on scene all day. Our experienced staff assisted with the removal and transport of more than 150 dogs from one location. While the dogs have been surrendered and will be able to be placed in new homes soon, this is an open case and we cannot provide any information about the site or the case itself. What we can tell you is that we have welcomed 44 of the dogs to our shelters and we will provide them with whatever each needs individually before they go to new homes. To do that we need your help to support these deserving newcomers. If you can, please make a special gift for their care or view our wish list of supplies that you can send directly to our shelter. If you have blankets and towels you can donate please bring them to any of our shelters—we are always in need of those. If you can open your heart and home to foster a dog please contact our Foster Care Coordinator Steve at svalentin@sthuberts.org
St. Hubert’s Rescues 39 Cats in Crisis in South Bound Brook
As the agency providing animal rescue and control for The Borough of South Bound Brook, St. Hubert’s was called for assistance on Wednesday afternoon, October 23. During an eviction process, multiple cats were discovered inside an apartment. Our animal control officers arrived on scene and removed 39 cats, carefully searching the premises to be certain all were located and moved to safety. They will of course check again tomorrow just to be absolutely certain none in hiding are left behind. Thankfully the caretaker was able to understand the seriousness of the crisis and agreed to sign custody of the cats over to St Hubert’s. While the majority of the kitties are friendly and seek human attention they are in pretty rough shape, many appearing to be suffering from untreated upper respiratory infections and they are badly undernourished. The medical team is in overdrive and cats are being individually examined. Vaccination and treatments are underway. It’s already obvious to the team that all of them are going to require acute medical care, a nutritious feeding regimen and spay/neuter at the least before they will be ready for adoption. These new arrivals in dire straits so soon after this summer’s rescue of 193 cats in similar condition means our resources for their care are depleted. We need your help to ensure we can provide these deserving little ones everything they’ll need to bring them back to good health and happiness. Please make a special gift towards the care and healing of this special group.
St. Hubert’s Welcomes Canine Victims of Neglect
Clean shaven and comfortable, Gino and Christopher have been neutered and will be available for adoption soon!
On July 24 a housing inspector in Union County investigating a complaint observed two dogs in cages on the back porch of the residence. Local Animal Control was called in and discovered a total of 14 dogs inside the apartment. Due to the terribly neglected condition of the dogs the Union County animal Cruelty Task Force was called in. Task force member Jeff Eyre, St. Hubert’s Director of Operations, and Animal Control Officers Pam Fyfe and Nina Cochran responded to the scene to assist with documentation and removal of the animals. Their owner agreed to give the dogs up so that they could get the care and sheltering they needed and be placed in good homes. Elizabeth Animal Services welcomed seven of the dogs and St. Hubert’s agreed to take the other seven.
Removing the extreme, filth encrusted mats requires slow and steady hand.
The boys are visibly happy to be able to sit up and romp around, even with their post-neutering cones!
Much like the group of poodles we helped last year, these small curly coated dogs had not received the necessary grooming in a very, very long time—their coats were so matted that they were trapped in what amounts to fur straitjackets, hot and terribly uncomfortable. The first order of business was to provide sedation and meticulously cut and clip the damp, odorous fur so that they could move and eliminate comfortably. Underneath their skin was redness and irritation, and some had urine burns on their legs and feet. Thankfully, now that they are dry and the areas can be kept clean and medicated their skin will heal. All of them have been neutered here in our clinic. Some are going to need some dental work and other attention to ensure they are in tip-top shape. They were timid at first, both because of all they’d been through and also because it seems that they’ve not had lots of social interaction. Happily they all responded quickly to kindness, patience and St. Hubert’s special TLC and are a sweet little group of guys. We expect them to be available for adoption very soon. A gift towards the care of these special little dogs can be made below.
From Crisis to Care -- Emergency Cat Rescue Totals 193
Update - 8/1/2018
The final count of cats from the ongoing emergency rescue is 193. Our team reports that they are confident that no cats remain on the property so daily visits have ceased. They will of course continue with periodic surveillance to be certain no kitty is left behind. We understand that the property owner is receiving some help in cleaning up the area so as not to attract additional animals. The cats in our care continue to improve. A few are getting comfortable in there new homes and more than thirty of them have been welcomed to new barn/farm locations where they are settling in nicely. The team has gotten to know them and watch firsthand as they blossom—from wary, frightened, uncomfortable behavior into relaxed, serene or playful kitties exhibiting “normal” feline activities like seeking human attention, investigating their surroundings and grooming themselves. All have been spayed/neutered and many are ready for adoption at both our Noah’s Ark Campus and the Madison shelter. Some will make nice house pets and others are available to barn/farm type homes. We are grateful to some of our shelter partners who have welcomed cats from St. Hubert’s to their adoption programs to help us with space for this large, unexpected group—partnerships make it possible for us to assist more animals. Special gifts to help with the unanticipated costs of caring for these deserving cats can be made here. Thanks to all who have already lent their support.
St. Hubert’s Responds To Feline Emergency During Heat Wave--176 Rescued
Update - 7/13/2018
The rescued cats are making wonderful progress. The Noah’ Ark Campus is dedicated to their care and cannot currently welcome visitors. All pets for adoption are housed at Madison, North Branch and Everyday Adoption Center inside PetSmart Mt. Olive and are available during regular adoption hours.
It’s wonderful to see the kitties from the Sussex location relaxing, seeking human attention and looking happier and healthier with each passing day. Easy access to good nutritious food and clean housing, not to mention being parasite free and having their medical needs addressed, is allowing them to return to “normal” feline behaviors. Some are enjoying playing with toys, probably for the first time ever and individual personalities are becoming more evident.
Spay/neuter has been completed for about a third of the group and surgeries are taking place daily. Eight of the cats have just been transferred to Madison and are available for adoption. On Friday, July 13 the first few pairs were delivered to their new farm homes—we’re lucky to have additional homes waiting for some of the others once they are ready.
With aroma therapy ongoing, soothing classical music and enriching human interaction throughout the day all of them--from the adolescents to the sweet, stately seniors—continue to blossom. We’re so grateful for the support of our wonderful community in order to be able to ensure that each and every one gets whatever it is that he/she needs to become whole again. Click here to make a special gift for their care.
It’s also important to remember the human component to cases like this one. Simply removing animals does not solve the problem and recidivism is almost always 100 percent without effective intervention. Hoarding is a complex issue and must be addressed with compassion and understanding with mental health professionals. St. Hubert’s is committed to working with all agencies and officials to examine the human health component and find ways to provide services to individuals as well as the animals. We’re grateful to NJTV’s Brenda Flanagan for visiting the cats and insightfully addressing the issue.
Watch NJTV's Coverage
We anticipate it will be several more weeks before all of the cats are ready for their new homes. We encourage those who can provide barn/farm type homes to email St. Hubert’s at info@sthuberts.org and provide a phone number so that we can reach out as the cats become ready to move to permanent homes. We prefer to place them in pairs or small groups. There are still a few more cats at the original location and our field team is on site daily to be sure that all are rescued.
Center Rescues 172 Cats From Dire Situation
St. Hubert’s has taken on an emergency cat rescue operation larger than any one we’ve previously undertaken and needs the support of the community to assist us caring for these most needy newest temporary residents.
As June drew to a close, St. Hubert’s was asked to assist with the rescue, sheltering and rehoming of what was initially thought to be up to 100 cats unconfined on a rural property in Sussex County. One of the original caretakers of the cats passed away within the last few years and the other elderly resident became overburdened and unable to provide care for them. The home and property have fallen into disrepair, now without electricity or running water. We were advised that over the years some cats had been removed from the site but the situation was never fully resolved and so the number continued to grow.
With the cooperation of the property owner and concerned neighbors St. Hubert’s agreed to take custody and responsibility for the cats, originally intending to remove them in small groups over a period of time while providing food and water to those awaiting relocation. Upon assessing the situation on site and with an intense heat wave beginning, it was determined that the majority of the cats were undernourished, a number of them also exhibiting symptoms of illness and/or injury. Plans were made to mobilize immediately to rescue the cats. A staging area for intake and triage/treatment was set up quickly at the Madison shelter and an additional staff member, experienced in trap/neuter/return and apprehending cats in difficult situations was added to the team in order to expedite getting the cats to safety.
Due to the oppressive heat, the field team was on site at dawn beginning on June 26 and also worked late into the evening to gather up the cats and bring them to Madison where the medical and care teams tended to their needs. As the week went on and cats were transported it became apparent that the individual estimate of 100 was conservative—172 cats have been welcomed to St. Hubert’s to date and the field team remains vigilant at the site to be certain none will be left behind.
All of the cats rescued have been vaccinated, dewormed, treated for fleas and spay/neuter is being provided. Some are being treated for illness or injury of varying severity, while others are expected to be available for rehoming soon. Responsible farm/barn homes will be sought for those cats unable able to transition to living as indoor house pets.
In order to accommodate this large group and to provide them with a calm, comforting environment as they recover we have re-organized the space at our Noah’s Ark Campus to serve as the emergency cat shelter. Animals from Noah’s have been temporarily moved to our other shelters in Madison, North Branch and the Everyday Adoption Center inside PetSmart Mt. Olive.
We continue to be open for adoptions 7 days a week at those sites and will update when we have a projected date for the re-opening of the Noah’s campus.
Monetary gifts to help with the costs of general care, spay/neuter and medical treatments from relatively simple to more serious can be made here. Food, litter and supplies can be dropped off at our shelters or ordered from our Amazon wish list for direct shipment at go.sthuberts.org/amazondonate.
View Media Coverage Below
NBC 4 New York
CBS 2 New York
Daily Record
460 Puerto Rico Pets Reunited
1,279 Homeless Animals Welcomed to Mainland
1,739 Total Relocated After Hurricane Maria
On Sunday, June 17, St. Hubert’s welcomed the final monthly Puerto Rico Animal Unite airlifts bringing 52 dogs and cats to the mainland to rejoin their families. From January through June 460 animals that were separated from their relocated families have been reunited at no cost to the pet parents.
The Puerto Rico Animal Unite initiative began in January 2018, funded by an initial investment by the JPB Foundation which brought St. Hubert’s together with agencies in Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas. On the island, El Faro De Los Animales took the lead on coordinating the care necessary for pets to make the flight such as vaccinations, testing and health certifications. The Category 5 Hurricane forced many people to relocate to the mainland. Traveling with animals was often cost prohibitive or logistically impossible. Many of the families left their animals in the care of friends, family or neighbors while some left one member of the household behind until the animals could be brought over through the initiative. We’re honored to serve as the mainland reunification coordination partner in this amazing undertaking, helping to make families whole again. Once they arrived on the mainland St. Hubert's provided ground or air transport to get them back to their families, now spread across 28 states: California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin.
The reunification effort is just one way that St. Hubert’s has helped Puerto Rico pets and people after the hurricane. Back in September, we committed to a long-term response to the island which began with welcoming 786 homeless animals--dogs, cats and 3 pot-bellied pigs--from the island's animal shelters via emergency airlifts immediately following the storm. Our Sister Shelter WayStation destination partners mobilized and the pets were taken in to adoption programs at shelters from New Jersey and up the eastern seaboard as far as Toronto, Canada. Arriving flights were unloaded and then repacked with animal airline transport crates, pet supplies and human relief items--a total of more than 5 tons of much needed items sent back to the island. Between October 14, 2017 and June 23, 2018 an additional 493 homeless dogs and cats have been welcomed for adoption on the mainland.
St. Hubert's deployed experienced staff on a number of occasions, visiting shelters and rescues throughout Puerto Rico, and provided manpower and medical supplies on the island of Vieques as well. A number of Puerto Rico shelters have been added to the WayStation and scholarships were provided to enable two Puerto Rico shelter staff members to attend the annual Animal Care EXPO conference in Kansas City in May.
We’re happy to share more of the emotional reunion moments and will be forever grateful to the tireless efforts of so many who helped to make each one happen.
Your donations in support of this effort will be doubled throughout June. www.sthuberts.org/matchinggift
Update: 4/13/18
More Puerto Rico Animal Unite Airlifts on the Way
Get ready for more joyful reunions! We have staff on the ground in San Juan assisting with the preparations for Puerto Rico Animal Unite airlifts- we'll be at Morristown Airport Friday, 4/13 and Sunday, 4/15 to welcome them to the mainland. Many happy families have just a few more days to go before they'll have their dogs and cats back in their arms. Stay tuned for updates here and on social media.
St. Hubert's Continues Work with Puerto Rico Animal Unite
Update 3/6/18
Plans and preparations are well underway for the March Puerto Rico Animal Unite airlift of pets coming to the mainland to be reunited with their relocated families. The goal is to transport 1,000 animals to their families over 6 months. Please enjoy this video and join us in celebrating the February 24 reunion weekend at St. Hubert's.
Keep checking our website and social media pages for updates on our next incoming flights!
If you or someone else you know needs help relocating pets from Puerto Rico, please visit #mypetbelongswithme or the Puerto Rico Animal Unite Facebook Page
St. Hubert's Welcomes Another Flight as Part of the Puerto Rico Animal Unite Initiative
The second flight of animals from the Puerto Rico Animal Unite Initiative is here! St. Hubert’s welcomed 37 dogs and cats early this afternoon, doing our part to achieve the goal of reuniting 1,000 animals with their owners in the next six months. President/CEO Heather Cammisa along with Vice President Becky Burton coordinated and accompanied the flight from Puerto Rico to Morristown Municipal Airport.
After an emotional afternoon of family reunions, most of the pets that arrived Saturday morning have either been reconnected with their families or are currently on their way. For the rest, we have coordinated commercial flights and smaller ground transports to ensure a safe and easy trip for each and every animal.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance to relocate their pet from Puerto Rico, please visit #mypetbelongswithme.
Follow our St. Hubert's Facebook Page for more videos, pictures and updates!
The second round of pets belonging to Puerto Rico residents who relocated to the mainland will be welcomed at St. Hubert’s on Saturday February 24th to be reunited with their families!
We will be facilitating more reunions like this one of Byron and his family who were separated when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico last fall.
St Hubert’s is honored to have been approached to be the lead partner and hub site for the Puerto Rico Animal Unite initiative because of our expertise in efficient long distance animal relocation and disaster response.
The goal for this initiative is to assist 1,000 family pets over the next 6 months, thanks to the support from the JPB Foundation who makes this work possible.
If you or someone else you know is looking to relocate their pet in Puerto Rico, they can visit #mypetbelongswithme.
Follow our St. Hubert's Facebook page for more videos, pictures and updates!
St. Hubert's Facilitates Reunification of Puerto Rico Pets And Their Families
Update 2/7/18
The first group of pets whose travel to St. Hubert’s was made possible by our partnership in Puerto Rico Animal Unite and generous support from The JPB Foundation, are happily at home with their families on the mainland. We continue to be honored and grateful to be the facilitator of the final leg of each one’s journey home.
Following the delivery of their precious cargo to a number of relocated families throughout the Midwest and up to New England, with the amazing and energizing opportunity to witness the joyful reunions, our transport teams arrived home safely. The eight animals that we arranged to send on nonstop commercial flights further west arrived back in their loved ones’ arms happily and without incident.
For adorable Merida and her friendly feline sidekick Gia, the road home was a little bit more complicated. Their people are now residing in North Dakota and there were no available direct flights. They’d need an escort to travel with them since they certainly couldn’t go on a flight with a layover all alone. We found an angel named Sherri—who also happens to be a flight attendant—who said she and her husband Mark would gladly fly with them! Merida and Gia met the size requirements for being able to accompany them onto the plane in carriers that could be placed under their seats. Monday morning, February 5, St. Hubert’s Community Care manager Jenn met the wonderful couple and excitedly placed Merida and Gia in their care, happy in the knowledge that they’d be home at last by nightfall.
The flight to Chicago was fine and the little duo traveled well with their new friends. And then the news came that the connecting flight to North Dakota was cancelled due to weather conditions there. Our disappointment that it seemed they’d have to fly back to Newark and their heartbroken family would need to wait until we could try again was unfounded. Our angels weren’t going to give up that easily—they simply booked a hotel, shopped for a few extra pet supplies and the group spent the night right there in Chicago, hoping for good news in the morning.
It happened—they would indeed be able to catch a flight to North Dakota later in the day! Early Tuesday evening, February 6, Jenn got the exciting news that a tearful reunion was in progress at the airport and the family is whole again. Families belong together and the incredible network of partners making it happen look forward to many more happy reunions in the months to come.
St. Hubert’ will welcome another airlift of family pets from the island later this month. Those who relocated to the mainland following Hurricane Maria and are still waiting to bring their animal family members home to them should contact Puerto Rico Animal Unite for assistance.
Update 1/30/18
And away they go! We are happy to announce that some of the beloved Puerto Rico pets have left the building and will soon be arriving at airports across the country to reunite with their owners- who have been patiently awaiting their homecoming. After spending a few nights with us at St. Hubert’s, eight pets flew out of Newark Airport on five separate flights!
Our ground transport team is making their way through their final leg of the trip as they deliver pets to their owners in the western half of the country. Seven out of ten dogs have been happily reunited with their human family members, while the remaining three are almost home. Our team will have made stops from Ohio to Texas and just about everywhere in between by the time they are done.
As the reunions ensued, so did the tears. We couldn’t be happier to be a part of the Puerto Rico Animal Unite initiative that allows families—canine, feline, and human—to stay together.
If you or someone else you know is looking to relocate their pet in Puerto Rico, they can visit #mypetbelongswithme.
Our St. Hubert's Facebook page will also be posting videos, pictures and updates as well--check it out!
Update 1/29/18
In addition to the heartwarming stories of reunifications this weekend at our shelter, St. Hubert’s is pleased to have coordinated with the Humane Society of Vero Beach to facilitate reunions for families who relocated to Florida after the hurricanes. We thank Sunjet Aviation who airlifted 30 dogs to the Humane Society of Vero Beach which is serving as the way station and center for reunions for the state.
Staff and visitors at both of our organizations were experiencing beautiful family moments simultaneously, as excited pet parents arrived to pick up their dogs and cats throughout the weekend. Together we celebrate the wonderful partnerships that are making it possible to reunite families with their beloved pets- thank you El Faro de los Animales, JPB Foundation, Puerto Rico Animal Unite and David Brownstein for your commitment to making this happen!
Be sure to check out the News 12 NJ piece from Madison where they were on hand to capture the magic.News 12 NJ was on hand at Madison Sunday to capture some of the magic.
Update: 1/27/18
First flight from Puerto Rico landed safely and right on time. Twenty three dogs and five cats, escorted by Becky Burton and Colleen Harrington, were welcomed at Morristown Airport by our eager transport team. Within the hour they were enjoying their lunch back at the Madison shelter, completely unaware that they will soon be back in the arms of their families. The plane refueled, loaded on empty airline crates needed for the next group of passengers, and then headed back to San Juan. Also on board the return flight were two special canine passengers whose families are moving back home now that repairs and conditions have improved where they reside in Puerto Rico. Another flight arrives early afternoon Sunday and the reunions will begin Sunday evening. We’ll keep you updated here and on Facebook.
1/26/18
Exciting, heartwarming weekend news at St. Hubert’s. The first groups of pets belonging to Puerto Rico residents who relocated to the mainland will be welcomed at Morristown Airport on Saturday January 27, and Sunday January 28 and will shortly be reunited with their families! Due to our expertise in efficient long distance animal relocation and disaster response, we were approached by an animal welfare individual in Puerto Rico and the JPB foundation to be the lead partner and hub site in the newly formed Puerto Rico Unite initiative. We will be facilitating the reunions of pets and people separated when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico last fall. Many who needed to relocate to the mainland immediately had no way to bring their pets with them and others who need to relocate have not yet done so because they do not want to leave their animal family members behind. Puerto Rico Animal Unite is the answer to both scenarios and removes the barriers of transportation availability and/or financial constraints so that families can stay together. The goal is to assist 1,000 family pets to leave the island over the next 6 months with the support from the JPB Foundation to help make it possible.
St. Hubert’s sent VP of Direct Animal Care & Lifesaving Partnerships Becky Burton and Transfer and WayStation Coordinator Colleen Harrington, who are handling mainland logistics, to Puerto Rico and they will escort the canine and feline passengers into Morristown Municipal Airport on the first flight into New Jersey this Saturday morning. On Sunday evening a number of families now residing in the tri-state area will come to St. Hubert’s to pick up their pets. The other pets will either be transported by St. Hubert’s to reunification sites across the country in specially equipped vehicles or flown to locations in the far western half of the country. St. Hubert’s partners at shelters along the varied routes will be on standby to assist as reunion sites and to ensure pet care in any unforeseen travel disruptions.
Our supporters are an integral part of the work we are able to accomplish—please consider joining the effort to keep ALL family members together with a special gift so that heartwarming reunions like this one will continue.
https://www.facebook.com/mypetbelongswithme/videos/1817808148237967/
We will be posting updates on our Facebook page here as well!
https://www.facebook.com/StHubertsAnimal/
Sister Shelter WayStation Program Takes to the Air!
Thanks to the generous support of GreaterGood.org and Freekibble.com, St. Hubert’s will welcome monthly airlifts dubbed “Freekibble Flight to Freedom” via Wings of Rescue will arrive at Morristown Airport for a year. The inaugural flight, met by an enthusiastic crew of staff and volunteers, arrived on two arrived via two planes on Sunday evening, May 27. On board were 86 at-risk dogs and puppies relocating to northeastern WayStation destination partner organizations with capacity and plenty of adoptive homes available.
Learn More About The Sister Shelter WayStation Program
St. Hubert’s Sister Shelter WayStation Program, operating since August 2016, is a catalyst for ending the euthanasia of healthy, treatable dogs in the United States where there is considerable pet population disparity. With St. Hubert’s as the hub, a lifesaving network of 70+ organizations are partnered and operate under a single set of protocols to connect areas of need with areas of opportunity. The program has already relocated more than 7,200 dogs/puppies since its inception and provides “give back” funding from destination to source organizations for every dog relocated. Those funds, one aspect of the program’s “hands up” resource sharing component, are earmarked for providing affordable spay/neuter in their communities to address the root problem.
The addition of the monthly airlifts will expand the reach of the WayStation safety net, enabling us to assist additional organizations in need who lie beyond the “best practices” range for responsible ground transport without layover.
St. Hubert's Assists with Hudson County Case
St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center Welcomes 16 Small Dogs
Update—January 22, 2018
Quickly after becoming available for adoption, this great group of friendly little dogs all found homes very quickly. This included Pudding, who’s new mom Jessica just couldn’t wait to take home! Their smiling faces in their adoption photo reflect how all of the adopters, dogs, and staff here at St. Hubert’s felt about these happy endings! A few of the moms and their infants continue to thrive in the care of our experienced fosters and will return to the shelter once ready for adoption.
All 16 newcomers have been pronounced in good health! Some needed a little cosmetic work and as she did when we had all the poodles last summer Erica Ortiz, operator of Shampooches, brought her mobile grooming unit and her assistant Victoria Konczynski to Madison to volunteer their skills. Two sweet Mommy dogs being fostered by our experienced infant caregivers got special spa treatments before leaving for their temporary homes with their kids. Others whose coats required some expert trimming visited the unit as well. We’re so grateful for this needed professional help! Staff got the rest cleaned up and bathed and spay/neuters will begin on Monday in our clinic. We anticipate several will be ready for adoption as early as Tuesday. Stay tuned!
Late Wednesday night St. Hubert’s VP of Direct Animal Care and Lifesaving Partnerships Becky Burton received a call from Animal Control Officer Fernando Rosario from New Jersey Humane Society. He was in Union City (Hudson County) responding to a case in which an overwhelmed caretaker had a large number of dogs in the home—more than could be provided proper care and attention. The pet parent was willing to surrender the dogs for adoption if assured that they’d be safe and carefully placed in new, loving homes. Fernando wanted to know whether St. Hubert’s could assist, Becky assured him that of course we would and they agreed to speak again next morning once all dogs were gently removed from the home and at NJHS. We partner with NJHS often, most notably last summer when we welcomed to St. Hubert’s 27 poodles they rescued from extreme cruelty and neglect.
On Thursday everything was in order and just after noon St. Hubert’s team headed out in our transport vehicle The Griffin and returned to Madison with 16 little dogs who immediately stole the hearts of staff assembled to greet them. By 4 p.m. everyone was unloaded and the team began the intake process—a preliminary exam and any needed vaccines for each dog. They’ll settle in overnight and continue the process of preparing to be adopted. Professional groomers will be volunteering their time to get everyone “cleaned up and fluffed.”
A special gift will help us to provide each one with whatever he or she needs during the stay with us. Check here and our Facebook page here for updates and information on when the newcomers will be ready for “meet and greets” with potential adopters.
Three Dogs Rescued From Bitter Cold on New Year's Day
Update—January 22, 2018
Canela, Camila and Cerdo
Camila had the best weekend ever! She has found her new home and we’re sure both her and the Antico family can’t wait to start their life together. Her brothers are busy with the enrichment team daily getting used to walking with a leash and collar and we hope that they too will find their perfect match by the end of this week or next. In the meantime check out these cute pictures of them out on play dates!
The little trio of siblings are doing great! They are in good health, eating well and becoming more comfortable in their surroundings. While they love hanging out and playing together, they are learning to spend time with people individually and we’re seeing good progress. They were spayed/neutered on Friday, 1/12 and all were up and feeling themselves just a short time later. It won’t be long before each is ready to start interviewing a family to call his/her own!
2018 was ushered in accompanied by unusually frigid temperatures—weather conditions that were both inhumane and illegal for dogs to be living outdoors. But on New Year’s Day, St. Hubert’s received a call from NJ Animal Control and Rescue about 3 dogs who’d been discovered the night before alone and unsheltered in an industrial area of North Bergen. Together with the police and a team of high school athlete volunteers, all three were eventually apprehended.
We work often with NJ Animal Control and Rescue and our followers will recall one of their high profile cases last summer when we welcomed the 27 badly neglected Poodles they’d removed from deplorable conditions. We agreed to take in this trio as well.
Upon arrival, our medical team examined them to ascertain whether they needed any emergency or immediate medical care. Thankfully there was no frostbite or anything else worrisome, but they were three cold and scared dogs. St. Hubert’s definitely has the cure for that!
Originally reported to be a mother and her two puppies, once in hand it was discovered that the largest one assumed to be the mother is actually the same age. The trio is estimated to be about 9 months old.
Dubbed by their rescuers Cebro, Camila and Canela, they are happy to be safe and warm, and are adjusting well to their surroundings and the attention of staff. We expect it won’t be long at all before they’ll be ready for “meet and greets” with potential new families.
While we don’t know how these poor pups came to be on their own in such cold weather, we all know that it’s up to people to provide safe, humane housing for their animals. New Jersey has specific law regarding dogs housed or spending time outdoors and it includes language clearly defining “adverse weather conditions.” To learn more you can read the law here. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2016/Bills/PL17/189_.HTM
St. Hubert's, AVMF, NJVMA Collaborate to Care for Animals Airlifted from Puerto Rico
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nearly 800 animals evacuated from Puerto Rico
Veterinary Community joins with St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.
Madison, NJ, 10/24/17 – In the wake of Hurricane Maria, airplanes filled with dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and even three pot-bellied pigs from shelters in Puerto Rico arrived around-the-clock at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) provided a $38,000 grant for the first round of medical supplies needed for the emergency intake and care of the 786 animals airlifted to safety. The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association (NJVMA) put out a call to its membership. To date 25 veterinarians, often accompanied by their technician teams, have volunteered to provide examinations and care, putting in more than 162 hours of volunteer time.
The emptied airplanes returned to Puerto Rico with both human and animal supplies collected by St. Hubert’s.
“Having been born and raised in Puerto Rico, with my family and friends still there, words cannot express how grateful I am for the positive impact St. Hubert’s has made in the lives of four and two- legged Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria,” said NJVMA member and veterinary volunteer, Dr. Janirka Ponce of the Animal Infirmary of Hoboken.
St. Hubert’s was chosen as the initial emergency intake center in the United States because of its network of shelters along the eastern United States and its regular work helping overcrowded shelters throughout the southeast and other parts of the country. The St. Hubert’s network assisted animals from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
“We are so proud of and grateful for the collaboration and challenging work of so many to make this effort possible,” said Heather Cammisa, President & CEO of St. Hubert’s. “The veterinary community has been a critical ally to help these deserving animals,” she added.
After the initial veterinary examination, vaccinations, blood screening, preventatives, microchipping and the issuance of health certificates the animals transfer on to St. Hubert’s and other organizations’ adoption programs for ongoing care and placement. Some of the animals have already been adopted, including the three pot-bellied pigs who were adopted together by a New Jersey family.
“The American Veterinary Medical Foundation is committed to helping all veterinarians improve the health and welfare of all animals. The prompt and caring response of New Jersey veterinarians to tend to and treat the hundreds of animals brought to them from storm-ravaged Puerto Rico is our mission in action,” said Jan Strother, DVM, chair of the Foundation.
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ABOUT ST. HUBERT'S ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER Founded in 1939, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the humane treatment of animals. Its services to the community include pet adoption and animal rescue, humane education, a pet helpline, pet training, professional education, animal-assisted therapy, and pet loss support. St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center has shelters in Madison, North Branch, and Ledgewood, NJ, The Behavior Center in Madison, and a PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Center at the PetSmart in Mt. Olive. For more information about St. Hubert’s, visit www.sthuberts.org or contact the Madison shelter at (973)377-2295, the North Branch shelter at (908) 526-3330, the Ledgewood shelter at (973) 347-5469, or the Everyday Adoption Center at (973) 448-7601, ext. 7
ABOUT THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL FOUNDATION The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 89,000 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. For more than 50 years, the Foundation has been helping veterinarians help animals with support of animal welfare, education, advocacy, community service and research programs and activities. AVMF is a 50l(c)3 tax exempt charitable organization. http://www.avmf.org/
ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association was founded in 1884 and is a professional association representing the state’s licensed veterinarians. The NJVMA is dedicated to advancing the veterinary profession in New Jersey. The association is a significant information resource, both for its members and for those outside the profession. htttp://njvma.org
Pets Arrive from Puerto Rico
Weekend of October 7/8 - Many more animals arrived this weekend - 139 pets on two flights which were cared for and looked after by staff, volunteers and veterinarians at our Madison facility. On Monday, a transport left our facility to destinations ready to find adoptable families for these homeless pets from Puerto Rico.
October 6 - Tonight, NJ State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak is joining the staff and volunteers of St. Hubert's and HSUS to greet 122 animals coming in from Puerto Rico on this sixth flight from the island to our campus. Yesterday morning, 181 animals were flown in. Since last Saturday, we have now welcomed 644 animals!
Earlier this afternoon, many dogs and cats were transported from our campus to shelter partners around the region with assistance from RedRover.
Senator Lesniak lent a hand during a recent airlift of animals at Morristown Muni Airport.
The volunteer team from RedRover Responders helped with getting the pups ready for transport from St. Hubert's to other shelters.
October 5 - The three pigs we welcomed from the October 1 airlift from Puerto Rico have gone to their adoptive home, together! This mom and two babies were beloved residents of the Humane Society of Puerto Rico and thanks to the work of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), they were readied for transport and flew to St. Hubert's to find a new home.
Pets arriving in carriers from flight
October 3 - Another 100 animals arrived today with a Wednesday flight also scheduled from Puerto Rico. Volunteer vets are working nearly nonstop to ensure all of the dogs and cats are ready for new homes with health certificates in hand (paw, actually)!
October 1 - Yesterday, an airlift from the island of Puerto Rico arrived at Morristown Municipal Airport around 9:30 pm with 70 dogs, 4 cats and 3 pot-bellied pigs! (#whenpigsfly) For the return flights, all of the planes have been packed with supplies for the humans and animals of Puerto Rico that were generously donated from so many of you in the last few days. Currently, the needs have changed from diapers and feminine products to anti-diarrhea meds, peptic stomach remedies, over-the-counter pain relief like Advil, antiseptic ointments, Band-Aids, disinfectant wipes and tablets like "Potable Aqua" to purify water for drinking. If you can contribute any of these items, please bring them to our main lobby entrance.
Many thanks to Ethical Products Inc. for donating 400 stainless steel bowls for our pet visitors - especially since we will continue to welcome additional animals this week!
Welcome signage at St. Hubert's entrance.
September 30 - Early this morning around 2:00 AM, the first flight from Puerto Rico arrived with 91 animals at the FTB/FTO hangar at Morristown Municipal Airport in a jet flown by volunteer pilots from the nonprofit Wings of Rescue. Teams from St. Hubert's and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) quickly unloaded the dogs and cats and transported them to our Madison campus to decompress and receive food and water. Human supplies donated from generous members in our community were loaded onto the plane for the return trip to the island.
Many volunteers continue to assist with welcoming the animals.
Today, veterinarians from the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association are providing health checkups as we help HSUS coordinate efforts for eventual transfers of the animals to other shelters for adoption.
Tonight, at 8:30 pm, another flight is arriving with dogs and cats from the hurricane-devastated island. Our teams are standing by!
Vets and techs provided health checkups for all of the animals
A big thank you to GreaterGood.org for their assistance and help in securing pet medicine from Abaxis!
