Animal Control Services Overhaul Planned For Madison

MADISON, NJ — The St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, which has been the primary provider of animal control services to the 19 municipalities it serves, including Madison, will cease all animal control operations by the end of the year.

This decision, made reluctantly by the staff at St. Hubert's, has left the Borough of Madison in need of a replacement.

According to a proposed resolution, the borough council has found a replacement contract with Animal Control Solutions, LLC. The agreement has not yet been finalized and will be discussed further at the upcoming council meeting.

Animal Control Solutions, LLC currently supplies 30 municipalities in New Jersey with animal control services. "In 2008 Animal Control Solutions LLC was founded on the premise that New Jersey needs, and was lacking, reliable animal control and animal welfare services," the company's website said.

Last month, St. Hubert's announced the termination of animal control services, citing financial constraints as the reason. St. Hubert's, like many other animal shelters across the country, relies on private donors, grants and foundations to carry out its mission and provide services.

According to Tiffany Barrow, Executive Director of St. Hubert's, the funding received through contracts is insufficient to continue providing contracted animal control services.

For decades, the animal shelter has provided animal control and rescue services for lost or found pets to surrounding municipalities from its animal welfare campuses in Madison and North Branch.

Despite the changes, St. Hubert's will continue to provide adoption services on both campuses, a training and behavior center in Madison, and other community programs such as free pet food banks, free vaccination clinics and spay or neuter assistance.