Montclair Hires Acting Animal Shelter Director

Montclair has hired an acting animal shelter director as officials search for someone to fill the job permanently.

Nicole Dawson has been appointed as acting Animal Shelter Director, according to a news release from the township.

She had been the interim director at the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter, taking that post after the NJSPCA took receivership of the agency, the news release said.

Before that, Dawson was the executive director of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. In Somerset County, she helped triple adoption numbers, and helped double donations, the news release said.

“We are confident that Ms. Dawson will provide our shelter the appropriate guidance to help organize operations and offer a smooth transition for the person who will ultimately fill the director position,” Township Manager Timothy Stafford said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to working with her in the coming months to ensure that our shelter animals have the best care possible.”

Earlier this week, NorthJersey.com reported that some volunteers at the shelter have been voicing criticism about the way the agency is operated.

On Monday, the township posted hiring notices on its website for the positions of animal control officer and animal care technician. Applications for those jobs are being accepted until Feb. 26.