Woodbridge opens new animal shelter BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer DANIEL HULSHIZER staff Alyssa Kenny, 10, of Woodbridge, pets a cat during the opening of a new animal shelter in Woodbridge on Dec. 21. WOODBRIDGE- Just hours shy of the winter solstice, Mayor John E. McCormac announced the opening of the first public animal shelter and pet adoption center at 195WoodbridgeAve. in the Sewaren section of the township on Dec. 21. In June, McCormac said his goal from the start was to "not let the animals spend another winter" in the current 30-by-40-foot shelter in Sewaren that sits near old tank farms and a defunct arsenic-producing chemical plant. "When I say it's going to open beforewinter, it's going to open before winter, even if it's two hours away," said McCormac, who toted around his little Boston terrier, Wizard, at the press conference. McCormac said the idea of using the former pumping station was made by Township Business Administrator Robert Landolfi.He gave the strict winter deadline to architectMichael V. Testa, ofManalapan, and Ziggy Rabiega, with Dell-Tech Construction Inc., around August. Testa was hired by the township under a $23,000 contract to evaluate the suitability of the Sewaren facility for conversion to an animal shelter and to prepare a feasibility report and construction blueprints. "We saw a vision, and we are proud to have the opportunity to be part of what is so important to so many people as well as the animals," said Testa. "This began as an empty place and has [evolved] into a place for hope for the animals." Rabiega, who has worked nonstop with Testa and representatives of Dell Tech Construction to get the animal shelter ready before the winter, said the shelter is 98 percent complete. A fresh paint odor emanated from each room of the animal shelter, and a festive holiday wreath donated by James Souza and the Colonia Fire Department hung above the front door. Themayor along with state Sen. Joseph F. Vitale (D-19); Ward 1 Councilman Charles Kenny; Councilwoman Patricia Osborne; Councilman Gregg Ficarra; Dennis Green, director of health for the township Department of Health and Human Services; Vincent Ciuffo, animal control supervisor; Mercedes Lopez, animal control officer, and two other officers; Dennis Henry, director of the Department of PublicWorks; volunteers from the Woodbridge Animal Group; township employees, and other concerned animal advocates came out- some with their four-legged friends - to announce the opening of the public animal shelter at 2 p.m. Dec. 21. "A year ago, I would have never imagined that I would be standing in front of the new public animal shelter," said Marge Petrow, who has been an active advocate for the animal shelter. "This is the best Christmas present for the animals…this beautiful building." Petrow presented McCormac with a plaque to show her appreciation, and that ofmany other animal advocates, for the animal shelter, and also presented himwith a bottle of champagne. McCormac christened the building by breaking the bottle of champagne against the building. Ward 1 Councilman Kenny said he gives a lot of credit to themayor, the animal advocates, and the lateMayor FrankG. Pelzman. "If Mayor Pelzman didn't set money aside for the animal shelter and if it were not for Mayor McCormac and the animal advocates, we might not have been here today," said Kenny. Vitale, who served as interim mayor from August to November 2006, said he cannot say enough about the new public animal shelter. "Transitioning the animals from the CP Chemical building to this building is an unbelievable victory for the animals," said Vitale. The animal shelter and pet adoption centerwas constructed in a renovated township owned building located at a cost of $650,500, which was secured via a competitive public bid process. The 2,500-square-foot facility provides a solid foundation and structure and was renovated utilizing available energy-saving and environmentally friendlymaterials and concepts. The shelter contains 17 individual dog kennels with extended indoor and outdoor runs; an oversize cattery with individual cages for each feline; separate, fully ventilated dog and cat quarantine areas; a private animal receiving area equipped with cleaning facilities; a "prep" room where the incoming animals will be examined prior to housing; a private veterinary care clinic where animals will be examined and treated; and a laundry room for cleaning blankets and kennel wraps. A unique and special feature is the inclusion of a public area where families can greet and interact with pets prior to adoption. Afuture second-floor expansionwill include additional dog kennels and cattery. McCormac also announced that the township has entered into an agreement with the city of South Amboy to provide kennel services for lost and abandoned animals located in South Amboy. Under the contract, SouthAmboy will pay aminimum of $4,000 per year to house stray animals. SouthAmboyAnimal Control will transport their animals to theWoodbridge Township Shelter, where they will be screened and treated prior to adoption. Additionally, the township is in the final stages of negotiating a contract with the Borough of Carteret to provide shelter and pet adoption services. For the past five years, residents have been waiting for a public animal shelter to replace the temporary one many said was not adequate. In September 2006, bids had gone out to build a state-of-the-art animal shelter behind the township health center; however, the bids came in too high. The lowest bid received in September 2006 was $1.046 million. The highest bid was $1.2 million, officials said. Township officials in 2004 estimated that constructing a new shelter would cost $350,000, and later, after extensive, indepth research, decided to allocate approximately $750,000 for the animal shelter, which officials have said would include 18 dog runs, 40 to 50 spaces for cats, temporary cages and storage facilities. For a short time, township officials debated renting the basement of the former Adath Israel Synagogue; however, a public uproar quashed discussions of renovating that space, despite officials calling it the best idea at the time. The Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center will be open 1-3 p.m. Mondays; 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays; noon to 2 p.m.Wednesdays; 1-3 p.m. Thursdays; 1-3 p.m. Fridays; and 1-3 p.m. Saturdays.