The ‘Cat Lady' of Sussex Borough shut out again by Board of Health

SUSSEX-Laurie Walsh greeted her supporters n that included friends, neighbors, representatives from various animals rescue groups, and a local radio personality -- as they gathered outside the Sussex Borough Municipal Building Tuesday night. They met outside the building because, for the second time in a month, her appearance before the Board of Health was canceled. Walsh and her husband, Stan, founded C.L.A.W.S. (Cat Lovers Adopt Wantage-Sussex), a cat rescue shelter in the back yard of their home. They have been "shut down" by the borough but continue to care for the rescued animals. Walsh explained that in April of last year, the Sussex Borough Board of Health received a letter regarding an abundance of wild cats in the town becoming a health issue. An apartment building on Main Street was overrun with animals causing a health hazard and tenants requested that something be done about it. Walsh said she discussed the situation at that time with Mayor Katherine Little and asked for animal control to help. This was the beginning of the shelter. Walsh said that the first meeting cancellation with the board was due to "an inch of snow on the ground," and Tuesday night she received a call at 6:10 p.m. from Karen Vandeveer, board chair, once again canceling the meeting. This time it was because all the members of the board were sick, and that they "will try to get a meeting together for April 4 or 5," Walsh said. Walsh's attorney, Eric Wood, was among the crowd that had gathered. He was in disbelief at what was occurring, since he said he had spoken to Sussex County Board of Health representative, Mike Plaza, who said the license application met all state requirements, and although still under review, the borough would issue a license. Plaza was expected at the meeting. Walsh believes the continuing delays in her request for a license are a result of a "personal vendetta," against her. Walsh has submitted completed applications to the municipal clerk on several occasions, but the five-member board, they have not complied. Said Walsh, "They are doing everything in their power to stop me from opening." Neighbor Maureen Johnson was there in support because, "I think Laurie is doing the community a service, and I feel she was blindsided. I see no reason to close her down. It's clean, and there are no cats running around the streets. Anyone who knows about a rescue operation knows you don't do it to make money." (Walsh has previously stated that up to the present, the cost of caring for the animals is more than $21,000.) Emily Stoecker, publication chair for the North Jersey Sierra Club, echoed Johnson's statement praising Walsh for her contribution. She said, "One of the biggest dangers to migratory birds is feral and stray cats, and she is protecting the community, the environment, and the animals." Radio personality Zack Martin of WNNJ, arrived and said, "Somebody's got to step in and do something about this. She's not hurting anybody. Maybe they should worry more about the registered sex offenders in the neighborhood than just some cat shelter." His statement was accompanied by a cheer from the crowd, and he continued, "This just doesn't make sense. I've adopted two cats from the shelter, and there are no environmental risks." Diane Mulford, a long-time member of B.A.R.K.S., Byram Animal Rescue Kindness Shelter, was concerned that with "kitten season" about to start, the board's delays will compound an already tenuous situation. She said, "We will soon be getting calls about litters," and if the shelter is not permitted to continue it spaying and neutering programs, the situation will worsen. Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge representative, Doreen Zelasko expressed her frustration. "I can't understand. You have someone who is trying to help. It doesn't make sense to me. It would be easier to have a Home Depot built in the middle of town." Attorney Wood's final comment was, "This is not the way that our government officials should be operating."