Jefferson Official Keeps Animals Across NJ Safer

Most people in Jefferson know Rick Yocum as the president of the township council, and a long-serving volunteer in town. However, his volunteerism runs deeper into the state than just Jefferson.

Yocum is a volunteer officer with the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA). He, along with his team, investigates about 5,000 animal cruelty complaints a year.

“I’ve always had an interest in law enforcement that I never realized as a career, and I’ve always had a love of animals,” Yocum said. “Working with the NJSPCA is the perfect way to bring both of those interests together.”

As part of his volunteer efforts, Yocum works across New Jersey, which is divided into three zones, north, central and south. He specializes in resolving complaints dealing with livestock, horses and other large animals.

Yocum manned the NJSPCA’s table at the in Jefferson on Tuesday, along with his wife Sue, and his two-year-old Cane Corso named Chloe.

“Chloe does several shows with me every year,” Yocum said. “She loves coming on the road with me.”

The Yocums are also “parents” to Mercedes, a 10-year-old Rottweiler Border Collie mix, and some goldfish.