Letters to the Editor

Letter: Shelter to End Municipal Animal Control Contracts

The Center for Animal Health and Welfare in Williams Township says a change in its policy "merely reflects the reality of our current status." Lower Saucon Township currently has a contract with the center.

To the editor: The Center for Animal Health and Welfare will remain a viable shelter for stray and ownerless companion animals in Northampton County. However, in an effort to contain spiraling costs and address the issue of increasing numbers of stray animals in Northampton County, the Center has decided to modify its municipal animal control contract. Starting on Jan. 1, 2013, we will no longer be accepting municipal animal control contracts and will no longer be an “open” shelter. Instead, the Center will treat animals from all sources in a manner similar to a private relinquishment. The standard fee for drop-off will be $150 per animal, payable at the time of relinquishment. Most importantly, animals will only be accepted on a space-…

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Township Clarifies Current Stray Animal Policy

Lower Saucon Township's current stray animal policy is spelled out for residents in the township's summer newsletter, which is published online.

The following is the current Lower Saucon Township policy for handling stray animals. Township police officers will respond to animal complaint calls as follows: -If the complaint involves a deceased or terminally injured wild animal, police officers will destroy the animal. For other wild animals, the Northampton County Game Warden will be notified. -If a stray dog is seized, the animal will be transported to the Center for Animal Health & Welfare (“Center”) by the responding police officer. -If a stray cat is involved, officers will advise the resident that cats will not be picked up or transported to the Center. -Officers will provide information to the resident about the Trap–Neuter–Return (TNR) Program for cats. -If a sick/injured dog…

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Borough's Stray Dog Facility a Source of Pride

Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council May 21 that the temporary holding facility for stray dogs is so well-run that it's expected to be licensed by the state as a kennel.

Although Hellertown's small canine holding facility was developed for a practical purpose, it's become something to brag about, Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council members May 21. The facility--which houses the borough's stray dogs until they are claimed by owners or adopted--is so well-run that it is expected to be licensed by the state as a kennel, he explained. The licensing is not required, nor was it sought, but it's symbolic of the level of care that stray dogs receive if they are placed in the holding facility, Shupp said, adding that the services of a veterinarian from Saucon Valley Animal Hospital are in use. "We will probably shortly be approached by some other municipalities who want to be part of our thing," he told …

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Police Chief Discusses Lost Dog Success Story

On Jan. 17, Hellertown police chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council that the department's newly-established system of caring for and reuniting lost dogs with their owners passed its first test earlier this month.

A new system for dealing with stray dogs in Hellertown passed its first test earlier this month, when a lost Shih Tzu was successfully reunited with his owner within a day, police chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Jan. 17. Shupp said that after the small dog was found in the vicinity of East High Street he was brought to the borough garage, where he was fed, given water, and cared for overnight. The dog was kept warm during this time, he said. After the dog was picked up, Shupp explained that local media outlets were notified and information was posted on the borough's website. Additionally, officers carrying flyers canvassed the neighborhood where the dog had been found. Ultimately, police determined that the dog had escaped from a …

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Township Council Approves Animal Shelter Contract

Lower Saucon Township officials announced, however, that they will continue to look for more desirable alternatives for dealing with strays.

At their Dec. 21 meeting, Lower Saucon Township Council members voted 4-0 to approve a contract with the Center for Animal Health and Welfare in Williams Township. Council members—except Sandra Yerger, who was absent for the meeting—all voiced previously discussed concerns about the contract, but voted to approve it because there are currently no other alternatives for dealing with strays in the township. “Unfortunately, it’s the only game in town,” said township manager Jack Cahalan, who reviewed the 2012 contract with council members. Cahalan noted some of the changes and increasing costs the township will be faced with under the terms of the new contract. The agreement now includes cats and will allow residents to bring in wandering …

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Police Chief Details Development of Kennel for Strays

On Dec. 19, Hellertown police chief Robert Shupp told borough council that stray dogs picked up in the borough will be temporarily held in a kennel near the grist mill beginning Jan. 1, 2012.

As of Jan. 1, 2012, stray dogs picked up in Hellertown will no longer be taken to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare in Williams Township. Following Borough Council's decision earlier this month to forego renewal of its annual contract with the animal shelter, Hellertown police chief Robert Shupp announced Dec. 19 that a "canine holding facility" is being constructed near the Wagner Grist Mill on West Walnut Street. The holding facility will be completed before the new year begins, and will be large enough to accommodate two dogs at a time, he said. He added that the facility will include an outside area that's covered and an enclosed area that's heated. "It's really nice," Shupp told borough council, adding that dogs held there will…

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Proposed Animal Shelter Contract Called 'Unsuitable'

On Nov. 16, Lower Saucon Township Manager Jack Cahalan told township council that agreeing to the contract could be costly, and that alternatives to it are being sought.

Lower Saucon Township's proposed 2012 contract with the Center for Animal Health and Welfare--a Williams Township animal shelter that accepts stray pets from many local municipalities--was called "unsuitable" by township manager Jack Cahalan at council's Nov. 16 meeting. Cahalan said the contract, which has also been criticized by Hellertown officials, includes new provisions that could be costly to the township. In addition to an increased per-animal drop-off fee of $150, one of the provisions would no longer allow the township to limit the type of pet it pays to drop off at the shelter. For the past five or six years, Cahalan said, the township has had a yearly agreement that specifies reimbursement for stray dogs only. Under the new …

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