Gloucester Humane Society seeks restoration of $97K funding cut for animal care

The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on April 14, 2025, to discuss funding requests from local organizations and agencies. The meeting focused on budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year, highlighting the financial needs of community services and animal welfare organizations.

The first speaker, representing a community service board, outlined a request for $225,760, which reflects a 10.8% increase from the previous year. This increase is necessary to meet the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) requirement for a local match of 10%. The speaker noted that the budget was calculated based on a modest 2% increase in state funding, emphasizing the importance of local support for continued service provision.

Jim Camp, a member of the Gloucester Matthews Humane Society, addressed the board next, advocating for a restoration of funding to $97,000, which had been cut by $17,370 in the previous fiscal year. He highlighted the rising operational costs, particularly in medical care for animals, and shared statistics about the society's activities, including the intake of over 2,200 animals and the completion of 4,541 spay/neuter procedures. Camp stressed the financial strain on the organization and the community's reliance on their services, urging the board to reconsider the funding cuts.

Arlene Armentor from the Gloucester Matthews Care Clinic also spoke, expressing gratitude for the county's ongoing support. She requested a 16% increase in funding, amounting to $10,000, to address the rising costs associated with providing care to vulnerable residents. Armentor acknowledged the economic challenges faced by the community but emphasized the critical need for continued support to meet the growing demands for healthcare services.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of the financial pressures on local organizations and the importance of community support in maintaining essential services. The board is expected to deliberate on these funding requests and make decisions that will impact the upcoming fiscal year.