MINUTES

NBHA AUGUST GENERAL MEETING

Municipal Building, Hermann Road, North Brunswick, – August 10, 2015

CALL TO ORDER :    Vincent Sheehan

ATTENDEES: Vincent Sheehan, Diana Sichta, Dan Smith, Annemarie Walters, Sharon Weinstein-Canavan,Michele Andrea, Susan Keller, Donna Hildreth, Emily Trager, Allison Brunotte, Abby Brunotte, Tom Brunotte, Beth Meichenbaum, Connie Hamble, Sandra Bucci, Linda Sheehan, Erica Bundy, Carol Paszamant, Barbara Bagileo, Sandi Erickson, Barbara Hillenmeyer, Jane Prestup, Dave Prestup, Nancy Costello, Sam Love, Debbie Love

Welcome, to our new attendees!

REPORTS-OFFICERS, BOARD, SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Minutes Approval – Diana   July Minutes were read and approved. Complete report available on request.

Treasurer’s Report – Dan   July Report was read and approved. Complete report available on request.

CCP/TNR – Donna   A total of 171 cats have been TNR’d this year. There is $4,910 left in our TNR account. Despite the fact that there are still cats and kittens presently waiting (4 kittens, 11 cats), our CCP program has been able to TNR over 450 cats and kittens! That total represents thousands of kittens that have been prevented and promotes a healthier existing population. While we still need a strong effort in order to change ordinances, the program has been very successful.

Efforts can consist of Letters to the Editor, Press Releases and education for responsible ownership. Ideas are welcome and appreciated.

Pet Food Donations – Sandy   42 Cats and 5 dogs were fed. We are still in great need of cat food. We have 0 cans of wet food. Donation cans are available for distribution locally. Total can collection: $191.06

Event Updates –

North Brunswick Lobby – Sandy   August is NBHA Month for the case in the Municipal Building Lobby. Please check out our display. Great Job, Sandy!

Middlesex County Fair – Diana   Although we were not able to attend the Fair, we received $23.82 in the general donation jar at the Fair. Our thanks to MaryAnn Pawlek of the Middlesex County Fair Group for making that possible!

A&P – Michele   Michele explained the food drive program for the benefit of the new attendees.

Cat Show/Somerset – Donna   Diana and Donna presented information at the Somerset County Cat Show. Brochures and literature were distributed and it was a good public outreach. Many people at the show were unaware of TNR programs.

National Night Out – Dan/Michele   Literature distributed. There was a large turnout from the community.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Upcoming Events –

Ongoing Fridays- Farmer’s Market , Ryders Lane – Jane/Nancy/Beth

Members will coordinate efforts to attend event and distribute flyers at this location.

– September   9 – PFA Training, Robbinsville. 2 hour session. – Donna

– September 12 – A&P Food Drive – Michele

– September 12 – Cranbury Day – Donna

– September 19 – Heritage Day – 1-6PM. Community Park – Nancy

– September 19 – ACME – Milltown. 10AM-3PM – Judy/Youth Group

– September 20 – Arts in the Park – 11:30AM-4:30PM, Highland Park – Diana/Sandy/Barb

October 4 – NBHA’s 12th Annual Dog-Walk-A-Thon – 11AM-3PM– Community Park – Michele/Dan

The first week of October is Walk Your Dog Week, and Blessing of the Animals. This year, Mr. C’s Grease truck will provide refreshments at our Dog Walk. Dan distributed signs. Adoption groups will include St. Hubert’s , Happy Paws, Karma Cat Zen Dog. We are still accepting applications for vendors. Michele explained the Dog Walk for the benefit of the newcomers. We welcome PR, especially the television and radio media and ask everyone to share the event.

October 8 – Dine to Donate – Bertucci’s – Barbara

Dine In, Take Out, Delivery. 15% donated back to NBHA for all diners. Diners must have flyer to participate.

Community Outreach

We discussed some ideas to get groups interested in our organization, especially Youth Groups. One suggestion was to start an Animal Welfare Group at the schools. Abigail Brunotte, (Abby’s Creations) has volunteered to design her crafts for the organization.

We also briefly discussed the Bear Hunt and Leghold Trap Issue, as well as the NJ legislative proposal for Rescue and Shelter Workers. We think there is a more reasonable approach to all of these issues. To learn more, visit our Facebook page. Please Like and Share.

NEW BUSINESS

NBHA is now on Instagram. We will have a new Twitter account shortly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

For more information about any of our events, please visit our website www.northbrunswickhumane.org, and LIKE us on Facebook. If you need to contact us, please call:

732-202-5276. Our next meeting will be on Monday, September 14, Municipal Building at 7:30. Hope to see you there!

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Diana Sichta

Secretary-NBHA