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JamesSkye
Sayreville Pet Adoption Center of Sayreville, NJ is a well regarded and well established non-profit no-kill animal shelter that rehomes stray or unwanted cats and dogs.
Located in coastal Northern New Jersey, they operate in an area hard hit by Hurricane Sandy. As the effects of the storm continue to impact the area, the shelter made an announcement this morning that has stunned and saddened area residents.
A glance going up and down the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center Facebook page shows business as usual, with positive, upbeat posts about news, events, tips and available animals. That is, all but one of the posts. The organization unexpectedly took to Facebook today to announce that, due to financial hardship, they will be closing their operations as of December 31, 2012.
The announcement was met with a outpouring of stunned emotion in a long stream of comments from people saddened to learn that the caring and capable shelter staff they’d adopted their own beloved pets from were no longer going to be providing the valuable service for the area’s animals and the people who love them.
The announcement reads as follows:
Mayzie
DECEMBER 1, 2012: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of Sayreville Pet Adoption Center effective December 31, 2012.
Unfortunately like so many others we have fallen victim to the economy. Providing and caring for over 120 animals on a daily basis is no easy task. We have always strived to provide a clean and safe facility along with the best veterinary care for our shelter pets in a warm and nurturing environment. This endeavor has been a joy and a labor of love.
The loss of our municipal contracts combined with the rising costs of vaccines, medications, supplies, utilities, maintenance and upkeep of our shelter has taken a toll on our budget as well as the impact of events relating to Hurricane Sandy. Although it is difficult, we are forced to think with our heads instead of our hearts and to face the fact that even with the overwhelming outpouring of donations and support from our many friends, we simply cannot sustain operations any longer.
The staff of SPAC would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all of our faithful supporters for your kindness and generosity. Thanks to you we were able to remain open throughout 2012 and to find homes for an additional 450 pets who would have otherwise had nowhere else to go. We still have over 80 dogs and cats with us at this time who are looking for their forever homes, so please pass the word around to anyone you know who may be looking for a furry friend. We are deeply honored to have been touched by the lives of these precious animals and by our many volunteers and friends.
Thank you. Barbara Keegan, Director
It should be noted that the operations of SPAC have been subsidized by Sayrebrook Veterinary Hospital since the time SPAC opened. It is no longer possible for Sayrebrook to do so at this time.
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Volunteer Donna Ryan wrote eloquently, saying:
As a long time volunteer for SPAC, my heart is shattered. I have seen first hand, the kindness, compassion and caring with which Barbara and her staff and volunteers have cared for all of the animals who have crossed the doorway of SPAC over the years. For all of us, this has been a true labor of love… one that I personally, had hoped to continue for many years to come. This community and its people will suffer a great loss with the closing of this wonderful place.
SPAC is one of the few true “no kill” shelters in the state. Our community has been amazing in supporting us throughout the years and especially over the past year… so I am asking you to step up one last time for the precious animals of SPAC and SHARE, Spread the word far and wide, open your home and hearts to another furry friend if it is possible, tell everyone you know that there are beautiful animals here just waiting and hoping for their family to walk thru the door. Help us now, to ensure that every animal in our care has a safe place to go!!!
From the deepest part of my heart and soul I thank you all for caring and for all the support so many of you have shown for SPAC!!!
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If nothing occurs to stop the shelter’s closure, the animals currently available will need to find homes this month. The outlook after this month for the area’s homeless animals is uncertain.
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You can view Sayreville Adoption Center’s adoptable pets at Petfinder. The cats shown in this post are available for adoption from the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center. They can be reached at (732) 727-3895 and are located at 1400 Main Street, Sayreville, New Jersey 08872.
Is there any hope of raising enough money to stay open?