TOMS RIVER, NJ – A volunteer from SaveRescueShelter, a non-profit group that assists area animal shelters, blamed former Mayor Maurice Hill and Maria Maruca for the conditions at the Toms River Shelter.
“They were more interested in photo ops,” said Linda Scott, President of SaveRescueShelter.
The representative spoke about the number of abandoned animals in Toms River and how volunteers in rescue groups like hers work to spay and neuter animals and find them homes daily.
“That shelter is needed,” she said. “This ain’t no rinky dink town.”
She spoke about how many people call the local rescues before the animal shelter when people die or move.
“The rumor about the shelter closing is just,” Mayor Rodrick said. “It’s just that, a rumor. They have been promoting statewide media outlets to come from other towns because they’re so passionate about what they do. It’s a lie. There was never any intent to close this shelter.”
Rodrick said he would explore options to have Ocean County assume control of the shelter but remained committed to not closing the Toms River Animal Shelter.