Associated Humane Societies – New Jersey Pet Blog

November 3, 2018

AHS Newark Shelter in Battle with City of Newark…still

The Associated Humane Societies-Newark Shelter, which has a number of municipal animal control contracts including one with the the city of Newark, is in an extended battle with the city over alleged non-payment of monthly fees. Keep in mind that AHS Newark has been cited over and over again for filthy and unsanitary conditions and even illegal and abusive practices.

I don’t know which side is right–I tend to believe the city given the abysmal and even horrific history of the shelter–but this is yet another example of how the shelter system in New Jersey is broken and needs a complete overhaul. While Newark and the shelter battle it out, the animals suffer

November 16, 2017December 7, 2017

Some Justice for Abused Animals at AHS-Newark? Finally, Perhaps (UPDATED)

After two inspections this fall by the City of Newark and NJ’s Department of Health uncovered horrible and disgusting conditions and a slew of violations at the Associate Humane Societies-Newark (AHS-Newark) , the Executive Director of the facility was charged with several civil and criminal violations of New Jersey’s animal cruelty statutes.

Now, before the the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) cynically struts and preens and tries to claim credit, this followed years of violations and years of failed inspections, during which NJSPCA – the state’s law enforcement agency for animal cruelty – took no action against AHS.

In fact, NJSPCA President Steve Shatkin asserted that his organization has no role with respect to shelters, during a public meeting of the NJSPCA Board: “The NJSPCA is not the animal shelter police.” SEE HIM SAYING THIS HERE at around the 4:22 mark.

WPIX-TV 11 in New York was already covering this “House of Horrors” when the charges were finally issued, and their coverage is here.

See other coverage HERE and HERE.

UPDATE – on December 11, 2017, WPIX-TV 11 did another story on the AHS-Newark “House of Horrors” and exposed the fact that the NJSPCA only charged the Executive Director with a handful of violations, when there were HUNDREDS. See for yourself HERE.

November 11, 2017

The Outrage of Animal Neglect and Animal Cruelty Continues in Newark

It is surreal that after all the media attention, reports to the flailing NJSPCA, and scathing reports from the NJ Department of Health and Newark Department of Health, the disgusting conditions and abuses continue for the sweet, innocent animals at the Associated Humane Societies shelter in Newark (AHS-Newark).

To learn more, go here.

October 16, 2017

Conditions for Animals at AHS-Newark Still Dismal in Many Ways…

On August 22, 2017, both the New Jersey Department of Health and Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness inspected the AHS-Newark animal shelter and issued a SCATHING report. The only media that reported these outrageous and disgusting conditions was the tiny Newark Patch.

On September 26, 2017, the New Jersey Department of Health and Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness again inspected AHS-Newark again and issued another report. You’d think they would have fixed every single problem, right?

Evidently NOT. Take a look.

And nothing from the NJSPCA, whose “president” has publicly declared “we’re not the shelter police.” They’re not ANY kind of “police” in fact.

Shameful. And all too Jersey…

October 9, 2017

NJSPCA Seeks to Block State Investigation

From News12 New Jersey, Kane in Your Corner: The attorney for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is suing a state investigative agency in an effort to block the release of the results of a state investigation into his client.

Legal documents obtained by Kane In Your Corner show the attorney, Harry Levin, filed the lawsuit against the New Jersey Commission of Investigation just hours after NJSPCA President Steve Shatkin proclaimed at a public meeting that “the SCI looked under every rock and quite frankly found no illegality, no corruption, no stealing, no fraud, no nothing.”

Really? We will see.

See KIYC’s coverage here.

October 5, 2017October 5, 2017

AHS-Newark’s Absurd Response to Deplorable Conditions and Inhumane Practices

The Newark Patch recently broke a story about the joint state and Newark City health departments’ inspection of Associated Humane Societies-Newark. The findings were otrageous – inhumane, disguting conditions and cruel practices.

AHS’s Executive Director, Roseann Trezza, did not comment on the inspection and send Assistant Executive Director, Jill Van Tuyl, to talk to the media. Aside from the ED’s refusal to stand and defend her actions and lack of actions, here’s their response, reported by the New Jersey Animal Observer.

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017

AHS Newark Shelter Gets Grim Report While Animals Suffer

On Aug. 22, spurred by a complaint, four Newark and New Jersey Department of Health officials performed a joint inspection of the AHS Newark facility. While touring the building, the inspectors allegedly witnessed all manner of violations.

This is tragic and disturbing on so many levels, especially given the fact that AHS Newark is reportedly sitting on several million dollars that could be used to completely rehab the facility and hire more staff.

It should be noted, though, the the AHS Volunteers do an amazing job under terrible conditions and they advocate for those animals as well as humanly possible. They are a wonderful group of caring, loving, giving people.

The shelter system is BROKEN and it’s an indictment of our society as a whole that we allow this to continue.