2011 Annual Awards Dinner

At our 2011 Annual Awards Dinner, Captain Art Wildoner was honored as "Officer of the Year'.  Shown left to right:  President Rubina Abbatiello, Capt. Art Wildoner and Chief Marc Picchierri.

ANIMAL CRUELTY TASK FORCE HONORS

DR. CHERYL WELCH – FRANKLIN LAKES ANIMAL HOSPITAL

 AND ANNETTE LAMBERTI - S.T.A.R.T.

               The Bergen County SPCA/Animal Cruelty Task Force recently honored Dr. Cheryl Welch of Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital and Annette Lamberti, founder of START Save The Animals Rescue Team at its annual dinner meeting.

               Dr. Welch began Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital in 1995.  She was very active in her community and served as a board member for C.A.T.S. Caring About The Strays for many years.  In addition, she and her staff rescued animals in need through her veterinary practice and found homes for stray animals.  (Sadly, Dr. Welch lost her battle to cancer in late February of this year.  Her veterinary practice continues along with the staff’s commitment to help neglected animals.)

               Annette Lamberti founded START twenty years ago, with money from her retirement account after being moved to action by the plight of homeless animals she came in contact with in her daily life.  She has worked in cooperation with the Animal Cruelty Task Force by spaying and neutering cats and kittens as part of a case in Lodi, taking in a senior cat named “Meggie” from an elderly River Edge man headed to a nursing home and most recently by providing veterinary care and adoption services to a dumped orange tabby cat named “Mojo”. 

               We are pleased to recognize these dedicated animal advocates and appreciate the help and support they have given to us.

               The Animal Cruelty Task Force is comprised of volunteers from the BCSPCA, led by Chief Marc Picchierri.  Task Force members attend continuing education classes on evenings and weekends to hone their skills as animal cruelty investigators.  BCSPCA officers are currently scheduled to graduate from the first PTC certified Basic Humane Law Enforcement Officers course in the state of New Jersey.  Graduation will be held on June 25, 2011 at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah.

               Animal Cruelty Task Force investigations are generated by tips from the public, Animal Control Officers and local law enforcement to a central dispatch at
201-573-8900.  The dispatch line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Annette Lamberti, President and Founder of Save The Animals Rescue Team (START) from Little Falls was honored at our 2011 Annual Awards Dinner for her twenty years helping abused and homeless animals in northern New Jersey.  To her right is Kym Lamarr, Vice President of START.

Cathy Europa was honored
at our 2011 Annual Awards
Dinner for her tireless work
on the Fundraising Comittee.

Donna Pontrelli and Laurie Kydon from Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital
accepted a plaque on behalf of Dr. Welch for her dedication to the animals of Bergen County. 

Open House held on June 19, 2010 at Paramus Animal Shelter
Carlough Drive, Paramus, NJ 07652
 

Capt. Wildoner, Carol Tyler (TYCO)and Kathy Johnson (Humane Society of Bergen County)

Woodcliffe Lake Middle School Students Fight Puppy Mills and Animal Cruelty 

When Lauren Thau and Brooke Pittel heard their former teacher, Mrs. Ogden discuss the behind scenes horror of puppy mills, they began to research the issue.  They had their parents drive them to Pennsylvania so they could inspect a backyard breeding facility, first hand.  They watched the TV special presented by Oprah Winfrey.  They new they had to become a part of the solution. 

Neither Lauren nor Brooke ever considered themselves activists or even strong animal advocates until their eyes were  opened to the poor conditions and animal suffering that go hand in hand with puppy mills.  That all changed this school year.

Lauren and Brooke got permission from their principal, Mrs. Barbelet, to hold fundraising activities to make money to donate toward a solution for puppy mills.  Mrs. Barbelet is a strong advocate of the philosophy that “children learn by doing” and agreed to support this project.  Lauren and Brooke asked classmates and friends for donations.  When the donations dwindled in size, they asked their friends to give up snacks and donate the money, instead.  They sold all kinds of items—whatever the school allowed.  All with the goal to raise money to fight animal cruelty.

They even donated money from their bat mitzvahs!

Finally, Lauren and Brooke raised $1,000.00.  After researching many animal welfare groups, they selected Bergen County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to receive their donation because we actively investigate and prosecute animal neglect and cruelty.

Thank you, Lauren and Brooke for all your hard work and dedication to animal welfare!