‘Cat Lady' finally gets license

SUSSEX-Laurie Walsh can put an end to attending endless meetings, writing countless letters, completing borough and county applications and spending exorbitant amounts of money and use her time caring for the animals that she loves. She has finally been granted a license to operate C.L.A.W.S. (Cat Lovers Adopt Wantage-Sussex), the cat rescue shelter she began more than 14 months ago. "It's official," said Walsh, holding the permit she has so long sought. It was that long ago that she began her mission to rid the area of the overabundance of cats and kittens that had been reported to Sussex Mayor Katherine Little. Little recalled the day, saying that she had received a letter from a landlord of an apartment building on Main Street complaining of stray cats. Walsh responded to the obvious need and has practically been a one-person animal control department for the last 11 months, attempting to take charge of the cat population by providing health care, spay and neutering services and becoming a licensed operator. Walsh has persevered through meetings with various borough boards and with the county to procure a license to operate the shelter she has built on her property. She has been helped by supportive neighbors, a petition with more than 750 signatures, the backing of various animal rights groups and even a radio personality, In spite of the adversity, Walsh has continued to provide a home, food, and medical care to at least 60 cats at any given time. Appearing before the Sussex Borough Planning and Zoning Board on June 2, she was told once again it was not a planning issue and an application to that board was unnecessary. She had previously made application to the Sussex Borough Board of Health, the borough municipal clerk and town council. But at its June 6 meeting, the council met in executive session with the chair of the planning board and agreed to grant approval for Walsh to operate the shelter. "I'm very happy that this problem has finally been resolved," Little said. "In my opinion, Laurie Walsh has benefited the town in the past and will continue to do so in the future. She is an asset to the community." Regarding Walsh's determination, Little added with a laugh, "There are some of us that are very stubborn. When we dig our teeth in, we stick with it." Councilwoman Teri Coursen said, "Our hands were tied as a council, but we finally got things together and got her (Walsh) on the right track." Commenting on the delays and setbacks Walsh experienced, Coursen said, "My opinion is that there is a lot of favoritism in this borough, and I think Laurie was subjected to this. But she kept up her defenses, kept strong, and she pulled through." She concluded, "We need more people here like that." Walsh can now apply for grants and legally accept donations. She is planning adoption days. Call C.L.A.W.S. at 973-875-8540.