NJCACOA
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
In 1984 mandatory municipal animal control coverage and state certification for animal control officers were first required. Training was for the first time, being standardized. About the same time animal control officers from West Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Summit and Milburn would meet periodically at a diner in Milburn, to discuss what was happening in their own little world with regard to animal control issues. It wasn’t realized at that particular moment, but the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association was in the process of being born.
In 1986 the first official meeting of the NJCACOA was held in the West Orange Town Hall. Four out of the five animal control officers who attended those earlier gatherings at the Milburn Diner were elected to the first Executive Board. Joe Osorio of Livingston, John Vincent of Maplewood and myself, Michael Melchionne of Stafford Twp. are still on the job today.
We hoped many things would result from our efforts of forming the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association. The main goal was to produce an educated and professional Animal Control Officer. Standardized training was not only warranted, but essential. Our belief was everyone needed to be on the same page and understand what was expected of him or her.
Seventeen years later I again find myself the President of the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association. First, the others; Michael Lunny of Winslow Twp., Willie Cirone of Mt. Olive Twp, Joe Osorio of Livingston, and Steve Bordi of Camden City, who served as President, have all served the Association with distinction and honor. Their selfless and tireless efforts have moved our Association forward with limited resources and at times, against unbearable odds. I personally want to commend each and everyone one of them publicly for having the courage to stand up and make a difference. It is an honor to be mentioned under the same cover as they.
Secondly, reflecting back over where we’ve come from, to where we are now, many issues stand out. Our Associations accomplishments are easily recognized;
-Training continues to improve yearly.
-Animal Control Officers have acquired statutory authority to enforce animal
cruelty.
-Animal Control Officers may now receive an additional State certification, the “Animal Cruelty Investigator”
-Members from our Association have received appointments by two NJ
Governors, to State Councils and Task Forces.
-Our Association is recognized State wide for its professionalism.
-Our participation in and our booth at the League of Municipalities is always a
hit with everyone at the League in Atlantic City.
-Our Association has affiliated itself with national agencies and companies.
-We’ve developed our website.
-Members of our Association have become “Police Training Commission”
certified and are instructors in police academies.
-Our Officers continuing to teach at the ACO and ACI State certification
course.
-Our Association was asked by the HSUS to form “Search and Rescue Teams”
and deploy to Louisiana to assist Hurricane Katrina victims.
-We received several grants from the Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(ASPCA).
-We are continuously asked for input on pending legislation by various State agencies.
Animal Control, as a profession is in its infancy. When some of us started our careers it was thought that anyone could perform the duties of an animal control officer. Anyone in the business for more than a month can tell you nothing is further from the truth. Often people were placed in the animal control department for lack of not having anyone else to be put there. When I started my career in 1975 my boss threw me the keys, pointed out the window to a station wagon out in the parking lot, shook my hand and wished me good luck! I’ve said for years, animal control is the most misunderstood and underrated professions in the municipal workforce. My family refers to our generation of Animal Control Officers as pioneers. That is an astute assessment, to say the least
I have been very fortunate over the years to be in many positions, both professionally and with the New Jersey Animal Control Officers Association. I have seen first hand the quality and the educational attributes of the recruits interested in becoming an Animal Control Officer or Animal Cruelty Investigator improve over the years. It is testament to the efforts of the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association.
Since 1984 when standardized training and certification were first required for all Animal Control Officers, and “a job” became “a profession”, our Association has been a driving force dispelling the stigma of the buffoon “dogcatcher” tripping over a net. It continues to be a challenge dispelling this image because of the many options available to municipalities in meeting the requirements of providing animal control services. Each and every animal control officer who reports to duty is responsible to display professional conduct, represent, of all of our conduct.
Our new board of officers took the reins on January 1, 2007. We had our first Executive Officers Board meeting on January 11, 2007. I asked our newly elected officers in which direction they would like to see our Association’s efforts extend. Four issues surfaced as the majority of opinions. They were:
- Increase the membership of the Association,
- Continue to improve the image of the ACO,
- Increase our fundraising raising efforts,
- Address cat licensing, cats utilizing municipal resources without paying into the system, and feral cat.
Not necessarily in that order.
Other issues that were mentioned were:
- Getting more involved with legislation
- Continue to develop relationships with other professional associations/organization.
- Additional training.
- Becoming licensed vs certified.
In an effort to get the Association moving forward quickly, the Executive Board has approved the selection of Committee Chairperson’s.
They are the;
- Fund Raising Committee – Steve Bordi, Camden City
- Training Officer – Willie Cirone, Mount Olive Twp.
- Legislative Committee – Gary Hill, Hamilton
Once again these same officers are taking the lead to better our Association. Your help will be greatly appreciated by any of these committee’s. If you want to volunteer and help please reach out and contact the committee chairperson whom you feel best suited to assist.
So, as we look ahead to the coming month and year ahead our theme is “GET INVOLVED”. Whether it’s signing up the Animal Control Officer in the municipality next to you or volunteering to man a booth at one of the many event we attend, your help is not only needed but, imperative to have. Working together is the only way to move our profession in the direction that will benefit us all. I look forward to running across you all throughout the year. Reach out to your fellow ACO or ACI, get involved with your Association and above all be safe.
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