Upgrade gives animal shelter new leash on life BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer BRICK TOWNSHIP - The three frightened gray cats, given up suddenly by their owner, cowered in their cages. They were the latest homeless pets to come through the doors of the Jersey Shore Animal Center on Sunday. But soon they would each have a name. Each cat would be assured they would not leave the center until good homes are found for them. "Everybody gets a name here," said Heather Cammisa, executive director of the nonprofit private animal shelter off Brick Boulevard. "They are not just numbers." Cammisa is a very happy, though harried, woman these days. The center's $1.5 million renovation is almost complete. She and her staff have run the shelter while living in the midst of ongoing construction since September 2005. "It's been a long journey," she said. "We have such a wonderful staff. They are not here for the pay or the prestige, I can tell you that." Most of the revenue for renovation costs came courtesy of dedicated donors who have supported the shelter, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary soon. PHOTOSBY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff At left, "Sophie," a resident of "Meowville" at the Jersey Shore Animal Center in Brick, takes a Sunday stroll on the sink in the adult cats room. Above, Beth Mueller, Howell Township, a volunteer at the center, cuddles 9-week-old "Bruno," a Boston terrier pup who needs a home. "We've been raising money and the people supported us," Cammisa said. "We are most grateful for the community support." And the newly expanded, pristine thrift shop - the Bow Wow Boutique - is open for business. It's not a standard thrift shop with battered goods and used clothing. Many of the clothing items still have tags on them. Most of the Christmas goods and household items are brand new, at bargain prices. The center relies heavily on the thrift shop, run by Carol Foltz and her staff of 30 dedicated volunteers. "One-fifth of our operating budget comes from this thrift shop," Cammisa said. "It really makes it possible to do our work." Cammisa spent the better part of a year researching the best animal shelters, to determine what would be best for the Brick facility. The renovation will increase the animal shelter's capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 square feet. The walls are coated with an easily washable substance, and the floors are coated with an epoxy resin. "Everything is scrubbable," she said. "It cleans easily." The new odorless dog runs are painted a pale blue. High walls between the runs keep the dogs calmer and cut down on noise. Each dog run has its own supply of fresh air. The number of runs was reduced from 56 to 36, but the runs are bigger, from 33 inches wide by 8 feet deep to 4 feet wide by 6 feet deep. Six dog runs for larger dogs will be 5 feet wide by 8 feet deep. The renovations also feature a recovery room and surgical suite, and an isolation ward for overly stressed dogs or animals that may have infectious diseases such as kennel cough, Cammisa said. There are separate areas for both dogs and cats about to give birth, with heated floors. The entrance to the new shelter will feature large glass windows so visitors can enjoy the cats that will be allowed to roam freely. "They are going to be greeted by the cats in the free room," she said. "This gives the cats a chance to look outside, too." Meowville, the area where adoptable cats are kept in cages, will also be expanded. All of the Meowville cats get some time out of their cages each day by volunteers, who play with them and groom them. The renovations also feature a bigger laundry room and an employee locker room, to make life a little easier for the staff, she said. All of the work should be completed by the end of January, Cammisa said. Donations are always welcome and can be mailed to the Jersey Shore Animal Center at 185 Brick Blvd., Brick 08723. The shelter also has an ongoing wish list for donated blankets and towels, cat and kitten non-catnip toys, cat and kitten flea shampoo, heating pads and hot water bottles, new dog collars from 16 inches to 24 inches, dish detergent, sponges with a scrubby side, non-fish, non-sliced or chunk canned cat and kitten food, small animal treats for rabbits and guinea pigs, timothy hay and alfalfa for small animals, non-clumping kitty litter, and copy paper. Visiting hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Donations for the thrift shop can be dropped off Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call (732) 920-1600 or visit the center's Web site at www.jerseyshoreanimalcenter.org. The center's e-mail address is jsac@localisp.com.