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There
are a number of ways you can help Camden's animals - and OTHERS!
Report
Animal Cruelty and Neglect
Always
report animal cruelty and neglect. Even minor cases, because these can be tell-tale signs
of more to come. All states have anti-cruelty laws and all law enforcement personnel,
police, sheriff, etc., can enforce all state laws. However, local police or sheriff’s
departments often don’t
want to deal with animal abuse complaints. If that's the case, be sure they direct you to
the proper authority.
Before you call, make sure you have the exact
location such as city and street address. Explain the nature of the abuse or neglect, a
description of the animal and the time and date the incident occurred.
You can also personally file a complaint. In fact, if
you are the only witness, it may be the only recourse.
In any case, if you give your name, address and phone
number, it will be kept confidential.
Always follow up to make sure conditions have
changed. If you have reported the cruelty or neglect and animals continue to suffer, write
a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining the inadequacies of your town’s
law enforcement departments. That usually gets the attention of elected and appointed
officials and, more times than not, will end up benefiting animals.
In
New Jersey, call 800-582-5979
or visit www.njspca.org
For
other areas contact your local police department.
Contact the New Jersey Certified
Animal Control
Officer’s Association for more information.
Pass
a Spay/Neuter,
Anti-Chaining and Cross
Reporting
ordinance in your town!
We
fought hard to acquire the legal protections afforded by Camden City’s Spay/Neuter and
No-Chaining ordinances (as per chapter 210 of the “Dogs and Other Animals” legal code).
If you see violations of this legislation, please contact us immediately by email at info@compassionforcamden.org.
Passing an ordinance is not as difficult as it may seem. Here are some helpful hints:
Step
one: Find an animal friendly city or township official, i.e., council member,
administrator, city clerk, mayor, etc. This person will become the sponsor of the new
ordinance.
Step
two: Write the ordinance. Use ours as guides, rewrite if needed.
Step
three: Lobby! Remember, your sponsor probably will not have time for this. With
ordinance in hand and as much background information that you can carry, try to arrange
for personal meetings with council members, the city's legal department, and other city
officials. Also, meet with your local animal control department, humane societies, animal
shelters and schools. And, of course the police and fire departments. It does not hurt to
include other nonprofits, such as child protection and drug abuse agencies. Everyone wants
sanity! Don't forget to write Letters to the Editor of you local paper and always point to
other ordinances around the country, see www.peta.org.
Lobby, lobby, lobby!
Step
four: Submit your finished ordinance(s) for review to the legal department. Ask
your sponsor to press for a date for the public hearing.
Step
five: Assemble city activists and officials to attend the public hearing of the
ordinance, usually during a council meeting. All should speak at the public portion of the
meeting. Your lobbying efforts will now pay off. The ordinance will have a good chance to
pass the public portion. If it does, a date for passage will be announced. If not, don't
get discouraged. Go back to Step Three.
Step
six: The date of passage: celebrate! (for free advertising, make sure your local
newspaper, radio and TV are present)
Step
seven: Spread the message to city residents via printed information. This can be
handed out by animal control and police. Posted at city hall, police and fire departments,
community centers, schools, etc. Take out small (usually cheap) ads in community
newspapers. And, again: Letters to the Editor.
Ongoing:
Be visible in the community! Make presentations to schools, police and fire departments
and community groups. All in all, attend as many local affairs as possible.
Educate
Others
Pass on what you learn
to your friends, family, and colleagues. See our Resources
and Links for invaluable information and
additional contacts.
Adopt
an Animal
We usually only have a
limited number of dogs or cats available for adoption. All of our rescued dogs and cats
receive expert veterinary care, they are spayed and neutered and are sheltered for a short
period of time at Rothman Animal Hospital, Dwight Ave. & Rt. 130 North, Collingswood,
NJ 08107, 856-854-7575. Please see How
to Adopt an Animal for more information, and check out Our
List of Animal Shelters to adopt from!
Distribute
Our Brochure
Educate others by
distributing copies of our brochure in Camden neighborhoods. The pamphlet features the
City of Camden’s Dog & Cat Regulations, as well as information on how pet lovers can
prevent animal suffering.
Services
If you’re a
veterinarian, you can donate your time and services for the animals of Camden. Please contact
us for further information.
Our
“Litter” Flyer
Use our Litter
is Just Another Word for Trash flyer (for Adobe Acrobat Reader,
please visit the Adobe
Web Site). Simply download it to your computer, print it, and
post it in your community.
Camden
City Animal Ordinances
We
fought hard to acquire the legal protections afforded by Camden City’s Spay/Neuter
and No-Chaining ordinances (as per chapter 210 of the “Dogs and Other Animals”
legal code). If you see violations of this legislation, please contact us immediately by
email at info@compassionforcamden.org.
Vote
for the Animals
Before you vote, interview your candidates to find out just how animal friendly they are.
Urge government officials to support and/or sponsor pro-animal legislation. Write letters
in support of legislation to protect animals. For further information, visit Humane
USA.
It’s
up to you to help keep Camden’s animals safe!
See Resources
and Links for more information.
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