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Hamilton Council hears shelter overcapacity report; residents push for better outreach and consider three-year dog licenses
Summary
Township animal shelter staff told council the shelter is over capacity for dogs and reported 20 euthanasias in 2025 (18 medical); public commenters and councilmembers discussed volunteer recruitment, online animal bios and whether to pursue a three-year dog-license option to reduce paperwork.
Animal shelter staffing, capacity and licensing dominated part of the Board of Health portion of Hamilton Township’s March 10 meeting.
Animal Shelter Manager Donielle Gioia and Health Officer Christopher Hellwig reported the shelter was over capacity for dogs while feline intake remained within capacity. The staff provided the shelter’s current color-coded dog counts and said the shelter recorded 20 euthanasias in 2025, 18 for medical reasons and two for behavior issues. Gioia described a volunteer training program and a part-time volunteer coordinator intended to boost foster and adoption outcomes.
Councilmembers pressed staff on how frequently dogs are re-evaluated and whether dogs labeled “red” — the borough’s designation for animals that staff say are difficult to handle — can be rehabilitated or reclassified. Hellwig and Gioia said some red dogs have bite histories or trust issues and that rehabilitation needs for certain animals can exceed the shelter’s capacity; staff said they are engaging trainers and rescue partners when possible.
Several residents raised operational concerns. Lisa Williams asked why some cat bios are missing from the shelter’s online listings and suggested volunteers or fosters could help fill that gap. Steve Clegg described handling a specific red dog successfully with staff; he also told the council, “I will take the dog out and if he gives him anything other than normal dog behavior, he will go euthanize the dog himself, and walk away from the shelter and never file another OPRA request again.”
On licensing, Williams reported Freehold Borough offers residents a choice of one- or three-year dog licenses and said a three-year option could reduce staff workload if municipal fees are set appropriately. Health staff said Hamilton’s current ordinance does not permit three-year licenses and that timing of rabies vaccinations would complicate multi-year licensing; Business Administrator Kathryn Monzo recommended staff meet with Health Department leaders to explore options and data systems to track expirations.
Councilmember Richard Tighe and others expressed support for freeing shelter staff from paperwork if it would increase time spent with animals. No ordinance change was introduced at the meeting; council directed staff to further study licensing options and shelter operational changes.
The council reconvened in full session after adjourning the Board of Health meeting.
