Liberty Humane Society

The Liberty Humane Society is an animal shelter / humane society in New Jersey

Overview

The Liberty Humane Society was created in 1998 to work in partnership with Jersey City to build and manage a state-of-the-art animal shelter. Historically, Jersey City had contracted with the Hudson County SPCA to provide it with animal sheltering services, but the SPCA had proved to be an unsatisfactory provider. In 2002, after a state investigation revealed numerous abuses, mismanagement, and financial misdealings at the SPCA, the City dropped its contract and opened its own animal shelter in a converted garage. The LHS provided volunteer and financial support, and participated in managerial and hiring decisions with the City.

On November 1, 2004, management of the Jersey City’s animal shelter officially transferred to the Liberty Humane Society. LHS also officially took possession of the shelter and property under a 45- year lease with the City of Jersey City. They are working with the city to raise funds to build a state-of-the-art facility. The Liberty Humane Society has partnered with the City of Jersey City to build a new, state-of-the-art animal shelter on city-owned land located in Liberty State Park. The current facility is a converted garage, sorely in need of renovation and expansion. In 2010, Liberty Humane Society found new homes for 1,267 dogs and cats and reunited 206 lost pets with their owners.

Liberty Humane Society now holds contracts with Jersey City & Hoboken. It is located across from the Liberty Science Center, at 235 Jersey City, Blvd, in Jersey City, NJ. They are operated by a board of directors who are elected to oversee the activities of the Liberty Humane Society as determined by its by-laws.

Board of Directors

• John Hannusak, President
• Mia Scanga, Treasurer
• Norrice Raymaker, Secretary
• Michele Perotta, Member
• Leslie Ferrier, Member
• Simone Sterling, Member
• Katina Maguire, Member

Volunteering Opportunities

Liberty Humane Society has an active volunteer base. Volunteers can walk dogs, socialize cats, help with adoption events & fund-raising activities. Sample fund-raising events include wine tastings, a Dog Walk, Pub Crawls, and other events to help raise money and to bring the community together. Typical adoption events include trips to local pet stores that partner with LHS to have off-site adoption events. All volunteers must complete a volunteer application form and attend an orientation session prior to starting work at LHS. Young adults ages 16 and older can volunteer with cats if their parents sign a waiver. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have attended a dog walking training class in order to volunteer with the dogs. For more information: Volunteer at LHS

Programs & Services

Wellness Clinic

The Liberty Humane Society offers a low-cost wellness clinics twice a month for residents of Jersey City and Hoboken. Services include shots and tests for dogs and cats: Rabies, Distemper, Lepto, Lyme, Bordetella, Canine Influenza, Microchipping, Frontline Plus, Strongid, Feline Como Test, Heartworm.

Pitbulls are Loving Program (P.A.L.)

The Pitbulls are Loving Program (P.A.L.) is a training program focusing on for major components to increase adoption rates: Training, Pre-and Post Adoption Counseling, Education and Outreach, Dissemination of Resource and Activities. The P.A.L. program is led by certified dog trainer Laura Garber, CPDT-KA. PAL Volunteers conduct weekly training sessions in and around the shelter that are targeted to the particular needs of each dog. In addition, P.A.L. team captains host volunteer dog walker workshops at 11:00am on most Saturdays to mentor new volunteers in dog handling techniques. For more info about Pals, you can visit the website, NJPals.org.

External links

• Liberty Humane Society website