Montclair Animal Shelter

I called the shelter 2 times: once for a wounded squirrel in Essex park and one for the kittens in a sewer by our apartment building. Both times they came within half an hour to pick up the animals and staff seemed nice. I admit that I didn’t check on the animals afterwards but was impressed that they responded so fast, especially on Sunday afternoon.

I accidentally left this review for PAWS in 2012. Same location but PAWS left in 2008 and Montclair Animal Shelter took it over. Unfortunately, if you look online — the address is still listed as PAWS.
On to the review!
I’ve passed here a bunch of time ogling at the cats in their «showcase» window.
My friend decided it was time to get some kittens for his kids. He went with his kids and brought home 2 babies. BOTH came with papers stating they were in tip top shape, were checked for ear mites, had all their shots and were fixed.
When I first saw them, I noticed the smaller one was lethargic and quite small. I whispered to the bf, I think this one is dying. He called Paws and was greeted by their answering machine — no one home. Called the vet that they suggest.
Brought the kitten in — dr said he was very malnourished and needed an IV over night. The next day, we got a call that he was dead. As it turns out, he died from a viral infection — never had a chance to begin with.
When Paws opened, we ran over there, not only to tell them of the dead kitten, (we never once asked for the donation $$ to be returned) but the one that survived had THICK BLACK CHUNKS in his ears — so bad that he could not hear.
As it turns out, the vet who initially gave him neutering/​ear mite/​shots/​etc etc had forgotten to do the ear mite part of it.
We also explained what happened with the dead kitten. We were then attacked as they were pointing fingers at us (I guess thinking we abused it to death).
I explained to them that I was not blaming THEM (Paws) but was blaming the vet that did the initial care. Obviously something is wrong when you release an animal to be adopted out and it has such severe ear mites it can’t hear.
The manager? then called the vet that we brought the dying one to, and they confirmed that the cat died of a viral infection, should not have been adopted out etc etc.
It was at that time that they were very apologetic. They offered to give the surviving kitten ear treatment and meds for a cough/​congestion that he was starting to develop.
(dying cat and surviving cat were cage mates)
Now, in no way do I blame Paws. They are a very nice shelter — very clean — great staff. It’s the vet that does the work for them that fucked up.
I would use them again in a heartbeat, but being blamed for the death of the kitten (at first) was quite exhausting and very upsetting. If and when you go for a feline there, just double check that all the services were done. Again, they don’t do any of the services there, they are done by a local vet.
I just want to also add that these services are NOT DONE BY DR CAMERON who is the God of all Felines.