Trenton council presses administration on animal shelter purchases, in‑kind renovations and $195,000 boarding costs

Trenton City Council members pressed the city’s Health and Human Services officials on Dec. 19 about a string of animal‑shelter issues — including a kennel the city bought in South Jersey, an alleged $100,000 in‑kind renovation made without a resolution, and payments the city has made to board animals in Pennsylvania.

The matter drew sustained questioning at the Dec. 19 council meeting after Diego Minacapeli, interim director of Health and Human Services, outlined the status of the Columbus, N.J., property the city acquired to house animals currently boarded out of state. “This property was acquired on July 29, 2024,” Minacapeli said. He said staff are completing surveys, inspections and soliciting quotes for renovations.

Why it matters: the city is paying to house animals in Pennsylvania while the Columbus property remains unusable, and council members said procurement gaps and an apparent large in‑kind donation to the Trenton Animal Shelter require audit and potential repayment. Those issues could affect the timeline and cost of bringing animals back to the city and add fiscal and legal steps before the kennel is usable.

Council members asked for specific numbers and timelines. Minacapeli told the council that since August the city has paid $195,000 to board animals at out‑of‑state kennels. “From August up to now, we have to pay $195,000,” he said. He also recited the current on‑site census: “At the Trenton Animal Shelter, we have 50, dogs and 4 cats. 50 dogs. 4 cats,” and reported that 51 dogs are currently housed in Pennsylvania.

The kennel property in South Jersey is still in an inspection…