BASS is a very important part of the community. It would be very sad to see them leave. Figure it out, Bloomingdale! The taxes are sure high enough.

Let me preface my statement by saying that I do love animals. BASS has an IRS 501(c) (3) designation, which means that it is a NON-PROFIT association. It is the responsibility of BASS to support the shelter by fund raising, solicitation of funds from corporations, private sources, etc. BASS was orginally started with the "promise" from then Republican Mayor Ann Duhaime that our "tax dollars" would not be used to support the shelter. The republicans have changed their collective minds and decided that the shelter would be supported by OUR tax dollars. Granted the economy has not helped with donations, but that does NOT make it the responsibility of the tax payers, it should mean that the shelter volunteers must work that much harder to raise funding. BASS has "imported" dogs from shelters that are out of state to "bring in customers" in the hopes that they will purchase some animals that have been there for a while. This process has been done for years and has not worked, but they are still doing that at what cost? The shelter is selling these dogs for $275.00 each. This is for a dog that is kept there for approximately 1 week at most, and it doesn't cost that much to keep a dog for a week. These dogs are not checked by vets, given shots, etc. in this state. What are they doing with the balance of the money?

If BASS wishes to go because they are not getting what they want, then let them go. They couldn't find a place the last time they threatened this, and this will happen to them in any other community they attempt to go to. BASS has threatened our town and we cannot permit this kind of behavior to continue.

Please.... BASS has not been getting animals from other states, and they have not been getting money from other entities because they have been in a holding pattern. We hope to have the contract settled by the next meeting. BTW, just because an entity is a not-for-profit (401)(c)(3) entity does not mean they cannot get funds from the municipality. Additionally, the only reason the town would be paying them money now is because they are peforming service for a shared service the town has entered into.

The Bloomingdale Council should ask for COMPLETE statistics and all animals should be noted from the origin they arrived, including rescues.

They absolutely DO get animals from other states!!! Linda...it has even been stated in the papers MULTIPLE times!!!! It's not a secret that MORE THAN HALF THE DOGS THAT FILL THOSE KENNELS AT ANY ONE TIME ARE FROM THE SOUTH!!!! Please!!!!! There have also been many cats that have come from other towns and OTHER STATES! Like we don't have enough cats here?!?!? There is a lot of shadiness going on....and if the council and public wish to turn a blind eye, then I pity them. BASS has been crying poverty and bashing the towns it serves for some time now. Do you not think it's going to change? It's not.

Linda..BASS has stated on the record and in several newspaper articles that they rescue dogs from Kentucky and then sell them here. I don't understand the justification of "not been getting money from other entities because they have been in a holding pattern." to what result?? Is it to up the bill to the taxpayers?
Apparently this council thinks "giving" money to BASS, in addition to paying for repairs of the buildings (which under their contract is the responsibility of BASS) is more important than paying the professionals they have a signed contract with. Not only are the taxpayers paying the shelter's bills, but also paying the salary's of some of the "employees". Linda and BASS should stop misleading the taxpayers NOW.

Hey Linda, by the way it's a 501 (c)(3). Being the shelter liason, you sure don't know much do you? Have you been at the shelter lately???? Take a walk and go visit 2-3 times a month on a Saturday when the van pulls in and delivers anywhere from 5-15 dogs (and sometimes cats) from the South. Infact, the whole council and town should go for a visit and ''greet'' the new arrivals! Sometimes these new arrivals have adopters already lined up to meet them upon their arrival. Or they come within 24 hours, on Sunday. How safe does that make you feel, knowing you are adopting a dog whom nobody knows about (health issues, temperament, how he is with other dogs, cat, KIDS!!!) It's just so unclear to me how you could call yourself the shelter liason, and know nothing in terms about how ''your shelter'' operates. Please......enlighten us all!!!!!!!!

Hi Ladies.....I have a BIG gripe.....this is to jersey girl and flower.....my name is Edie DeProspo. I am a resident and tax payer in Bloomingdale. I DO volunteer for the shelter. I also try to do fundraisers to help with financial situations. Oh, by the way, you have big mouths....what are your "real' names? It seems you are concerned about financial ends of the shelter. Why don't u drag your ass there on a Saturday, do some cleaning and something productive?? Are you aware of the fact that other towns (Ringwood, PL, W Caldwell, etc...) give Bloomingdale, NOT THE SHELTER, funds $$$ to cover BASS's expenses? and BASS hasn't rec'd them! you SHOULD be asking where is that money going????? Have you taken the time to actually meet any of the paid or volunteers there? Were you there when it flooded and those animals had no where to go?? How about the major snow storms and had no heat?? Did u run an eletrical extension from your home? Have you tried to fix the building so it is habitable for the animals? it sounds like the only thing you ladies are concerned with is politics. Who cares if we help other states? thats the object of putting ourselves out there as animal rescue people, to help them, not YOU. If BASS is LUCKY enough to receive $275.00 as a donation for a cat or a dog, that really isn't any of your business. It is completely regenerated back into the shelter.....do you get it? if not, i can elaborate with your real names...put your name where your mouth is!

OK you go Edie. Jersey Girl and Flower - I think most people in "jersey" love and would want to save animals as much as possible; a lot of volunteers had to go back to working full time jobs to support their families and donate food; and other supplies to the shelter; if you spend time with any of these animals and get to know them it maybe wouldn't be so easy to just "write them off" because of where they come from. And "flower" denotes a kind of peaceful existance with nature - I don't get that from your attitude toward rescued animals. Animal Lovers? IDK. I may not know every detail of every transaction; but I have seen the volunteers scramble thru mud and god knows what else to save these animals from flooding and taking them into their homes and too many foster homes; more find homes - thanfully, than those that do not. Cats seem more difficult. Have either of you EVER adopted or Fostered?
The two newest council members have made it seem they are pro- our shelter; lets hope so, and see in January when they are sworn in.

Let's deal with a few facts folks. I think a better definition needs to be determined about how many MUNICIPAL ANIMALS (including shared service towns) are taken care of by the shelter. Oddly, this important fact was NOT included in the RFP spec. So I wonder, what are financials being based on? What is Bloomingdale basing cost on? How many animals are there really without including rescues? Rescues are not Bloomingdale's responsibility. How can RESPONSIBLE decisions be made without the basic facts?!
What is the municipality and the taxpayers paying for?!

Yes, it is expensive to run an animal shelter. Anyone who has a pet knows it's not cheap. With high taxes that's why most municipalities and cities prefer to contract with a non-profit. The reason for that: Non-profits can offset costs with fundraising!!! (By the way, a 501(c)(3) is only one flavor of a non-profit status.) Fundraising reaches out to the public who care about the cause and the particular organization. And by the way, now the quality of the org and its people before you donate. Do your homework. CONTINUED.....

Yes Eliz, lets hear it. I agree with you.

LINDA HUNTLEY...you ARE lying. Here is your quote..."Please.... BASS has not been getting animals from other states, and they have not been getting money from other entities because they have been in a holding pattern" This is a LIE as I have personally seen animals dropped off from other states. You can say what you want and call me what you want but the FACT remains, you are a liar, Willing to stick to your lies even when you are called out and it is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. So go ahead, tell me some more about how animals DONT come from other states.

what is the difference.The point is the ANIMALS......ELIZ...DIDNT YOU WORK FOR THE SHELTER AND GET FIRED?

HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH THEM....ELIZ

I think some are forgetting that BASS has NOT received the moneys owed to them by the 'towns.' Ironically, some care like what BASS does effects them directly, like it's coming out of their own pockets here. As Edie said, they do take from other states.....yea? so what?? they're still animals in need, which should be EVERYONE'S focus here and it ISN'T. I, personally, have stepped up many times to help the shelter. As far "ELIZ'S" comment about southern animals. Have you done your research? well, I have. Florida, Georgia, Carolinas, KY and so forth have activists trying their damnest to change the laws as we do here in Jersey also. Paul, I am VERY concerned about your comments. Wasn't it YOU just a couple of months ago adding a video of the cats up for adoption there? I'm confused about who's side you are on. I would like to think everyone here is for the animals but it seems politics are more important but yet, I HIGHLY doubt some of you put in any time at the shelter, if you were lucky enough NOT to get fired, and see what they all do there. ALOT of bitching but no pitching here. Lots of big mouths without really putting themselves out there. As far as Linda Huntley's comment, so what if she was incorrect? Paul, again, I'm not sure what your position really is.....I was shocked to see any negativity towards her here. How can we possibly get our politicians to change the laws when people can't even get their own position straight? Actions are MUCH louder than words!

Elizabeth Geary-----well, we all know you have a vested interest and a motive here. I have to say, it doesn't seem like you really care about the welfare of the animals. I'm not being mean to you, but that is how you are coming across. You should be wanting BASS to get what is owed so the animals benefit. It's a true shame that you quit on the animals, one should never. They truly need us. You seem to worry too much about the political end of things instead of being more productive. It's all about the animals, I can't seem to stress that enough. The paid workers and volunteers haven't received any funds so how is that hurting anything? If they are getting paid from donations, have you personally donated to the shelter?? if you want to keep it political, it's a write-off at the end of the year then....as they DO give you a receipt if you request one! I know you hope and you're only Christmas wish would be for BASS to leave, but, c'mon, what about the furry friends? put your personal feelings aside and think of them, just THEM.......stop with all the legal mumbo jumbo 'cause thats all its been for too long now. I would be very concerned if you were running this shelter just because of your vested interest in the money aspect of things. Your words and actions have spoken clearly and there's a reason you want to mock the way they are running the shelter. Your bid was also turned down so obviously, the town felt your ideas weren't up to par either.

I HAD an interest, but no longer do, nor do I have motive other than a modicum of finding truth and fairness.
If you knew me, you would know my love for animals.
I don't even know what this refers to: "The paid workers and volunteers haven't received any funds so how is that hurting anything?"
I have made contributions to the shelter in the past. I'm not asking for a write-off nor have I said anything is due to me. I'm not sure what you're after with the comment.

Any venture run without concern for the business side of things...and yes, part of that is money... is one that will fail.

I haven't made any personal attacks here; I'm not sure why others feel they need to do so. I'm sorry if my input is such a threat. And I'm pretty sure it's not legal mumbo-jumbo. Elizabeth Geary.

I have brought and recommended several people to BASS to adopt a pet. I am not attacking anyone, just stating facts that are not common knowledge to the public. The people running BASS did a fund raiser and because no one came they had a pizza party. Sorry I cannot agree with their mentality of claiming that they are receiving more animals due to the shared services, when they are "importing" them. People are giving up their pets due to the economy along with the loss of their homes!!! BASS has refused animals that have been brought in by residents that cannot bring them with them! BASS was made several offers by the town for help before the importing began and those offers were refused. At one point BASS was calling the communities that Bloomingdale has shared services agreements to make additional demands for funds for their animals.

Edie you said in your statement "There is not one tax dollar that goes to the shelter" but you are wrong. Approximately $2,500.00 per month of TAXPAYER MONEY has been paid to the shelter since September. The town also pays for their utilities and has done so for for a number of years! Again taxpayer money!! BASS states that $2,500 is not enough and they are the ones who stated the amount in the contract, not the town. They want the taxpayers to pay the entire amount of $200,000.00 a year plus salaries.

Yea, Paul, as you listen to someone who was fired from that specific shelter for insubordination, but thats ok. like her, we've all made mistakes in life....now that makes sense! your debate is twisted, unclear and you're clearly a switch-hitter. You are a man of many words I must say! Elizabeth, you are not even a Bloomingdale resident so why do you care where our tax money goes? the more I dig around, the more dirty your hands are! You say you USED to have an interest? then what hell are you doing here posting?? You're not a resident/taxpayer, you are no longer an employee, you won't help with donations, you didn't step up when they lost power or when they flooded...did ya??? but you have no interest, just in where MY tax dollars are going? ok, I pay almost that amount in taxes per month, so think of it this way, it's MY money they are getting every month....hows that? You have been out to hurt the shelter and take it over from day one....funny, ya never ran a "legal" shelter....that makes me feel comfortable giving you two thumbs up here! Again, you haven't paid for one damn thing here, I have. You have no place in this conversation anywhere! The public DOES support BASS, as I have, MYSELF, have proof of that, as the surrounding towns. If you think differently, that's your ignorance on that! Anyone that desires this kind of attention has a disorder, one that is mentioned in the dictionary with your picture. Again, put your energy elsewhere and get a life already!

Except when youre a coward and wont put your name to the comments.

Not that I don't love animals and appreciate anyone who feels passionately about their safety and welfare, but it seems like the conversation has degenerated into something less worthy.

Maybe reading the plan crash article (link below) will help everyone keep things in perspective and remind us all to appreciate everyone and everything in our lives and to not take one moment on this earth for granted.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/5_killed_in_plane_crash_in_mor.html

Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful holiday season and a Happy & Healthy New Year.

I cant be bothered reading your long winded idiot retorts any longer. State your name crazy cat lady or be ignored.

Yeah, I can't focus on anything, I cant sleep at night. You are a legend in your own mind.

jersey girl and elizabeth are not one in the same.

Hi everyone, I'd ask that we keep the conversation to a debate about the issues and not about other commenters. Otherwise, I will be forced to shut off the comments feature on this article. Thank you, and have a Happy Holiday!

Just wanted to share that BASS currently had 16 dogs. 10 of those dogs are from the towns BASS services. 2 were strays found by animal control and never claimed. 1 was tied to the fence outside of the shelter when the shelter was closed overnight and found in the morning. The other 7 were surrendered by people in the local area that no longer wanted the dog or could take care of the dog. Those have been at the shelter from 1 month to 1 year. The other 6 dogs are rescued from other states.
As far as the cats, there are about 135. All are from the towns bass services. They are either found as strays, caught as ferrals, or surrendered by their owners.
That is 145 animals from this area. 6 from out of state.

I will not continue to respond to the nasty, bitter, and negative comments. I will correct the record though:
1. I am not "jersey girl" or flower." I used my first name.
2. I did help out a great deal in the March 2010 flood and evacuate.
3. My conscience, soul, and hands are clean. (Even though that attack on me was removed.)
G-d bless.

Well now that we got the record straight on where the dogs and cats are from at the BASS shelter; is everyone happy? Killing is cheap - just ask our DEP-Fish and Game People that charge what? Like $5 to kill a bear in NJ? A mom, A cub no matter the size or age? Keeping the Pets alive to become pets to someone who actually cares about them; costs money, time and people. Unfortunately in these economic times, very few people can "not work" and can volunteer full time as in the past. My 2nd "shelter" dog came from the Bloomingdale 'pound' - that is what it was called then. Bud Bird was a dpw employee and his wife drove him to pick up "strays" and people just dropped off unwanteds by the dpw. Most were "gassed" at that time. We have come a long way - and hopefully won't fall back to that time. Bud called us because some idiot tied a small sheltie/brittney mix to the door of the dpw on a 4' leash over the Christmas holiday. The DPW was closed, no cameras to catch them and it snowed - she was there for a couple of days, freezing, scared and without food until the DPW re-opened. He called us because he just couldn't put her down; she was "special" he said. Would we foster her til a home was found - that WAS NOT the norm then. We already had a mix from Pequannock shelter but took her. WE "fostered" her for 17yrs until she found a new owner - in heaven. That was a nice ending for that pup. But many, many more were not so lucky. Maybe we actually haven't come as far as I thought.

well said, hopenchange and thank you for giving your furbaby a temporary/furever home. happy new year to you and yours.

ok Nick. You are entitled to your opinion. Duly noted buddy! Good health to you sir!