Crime & Safety
Montclair Animal Shelter Fire Devastates: Recovery Efforts Launched
Montclair's municipally run shelter provides services to Nutley and Verona, and will partner with Clifton until it recovers from the fire.
Montclair, NJ – All animals are safe, but the road to recovery looms large after a devastating fire ripped through the Montclair Animal Shelter on Sunday.
The municipally run animal shelter – which also provides animal control services to Nutley and Verona - issued a plea for emergency help after a blaze erupted in the facility's back kennel.
While volunteers managed to find temporary shelter for all animals within hours, the damage to the building was apparently severe.
Find out what's happening in Montclairfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- See related article: Montclair Shelter Engulfed In Fire, Animals Safe
Until the shelter recovers, the Montclair Police Department will take all calls concerning animal control issues, township officials stated on Sunday evening.
“The township is working with Clifton Animal Control to handle strays, injured animals and other situations requiring animal control assistance,” officials stated. “Please call the Montclair Police Department main phone number, 973-744-1234, about situations requiring an animal control officer response.”
Find out what's happening in Montclairfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
ONLINE FUNDRAISER
MTAS volunteer Karen Sacks has spearheaded an online fundraising campaign aimed at helping the shelter recover from the “devastating fire.”
“Due to the heroics of staff and volunteers, all animals were evacuated and sent out for fostering at gracious residents' homes and to our amazing area shelter partners,” Sacks wrote.
“The Friends of the Montclair Township Animal Shelter (FOMTAS) was already planning a remodel of the building due to the age and condition of the building but now our plans need to be expedited. FOMTAS is in immediate need of funds for emergent medical expenses, short term repairs so the animals and staff can return to the building, and then construction documents and funds for construction to ensure the safety and well-being of shelter residents.”
As of Monday morning, the campaign had raised $16,680 from 168 donors.
See the campaign or make a donation here.
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Photo courtesy of Montclair Township
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