Belinda has served as the Animal Control Officer for The Township Of Hopewell since April of 2000.

Belinda’s degree is in Exotic Animal Training & Management/Animal Behavior, from Moorpark College, Moorpark Ca. She began her career at Marine World Africa USA caring for various types of animals and performing shows for large audiences. She then moved back to the east coast and worked at Philadelphia Zoo before getting her ACO certification from Ocean County College and settling in at the Township. She also was in the first class to be certified ACI’s.

Belinda became active with NJCACOA almost immediately after being hired at Hopewell Township. She got involved with the booth at the League of Municipalities and started showing an interest in assisting the Treasurer for the Association. She now has been a part of the board for more than 15 yrs and has served as the Treasurer for more than 10 yrs.

She has been at Hopewell now 23 yrs., and for the most part is the only officer for the 66 square miles she covers for injured, sick animals domestic and wild and stray animals that have gotten loose or lost their way. Much of her work is with wildlife in the valley. She handles all of the pet licensing for Hopewell Township, which is approximately 2500 animals. She handles bite cases, complaints, rabies control just to name a few. She is also on the NJ Fish and Wildlife Venomous Response Team, which she loves handling all reptiles.

If that is not enough, Belinda works in the Health Dept. and serves as one of the Deputy Registrars for Marriages, Death Certificates, and Birth Certificates for Capital Health Hospital. She is verse in American Sign Language as she herself is Hearing Impaired.

Belinda’s friendly personality, people skills, knowledge of the job, compassion for animals and people, years of experience makes her an asset to the town she serves and her roll in the Association. She has been married 26 years to her husband Aaron and has 2 beautiful children who are 16 and 19. Her family and animals are her life.