Montclair Animal Shelter’s Cat Rooms Get ‘Purrfect’ Makeover

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The cat rooms at the Montclair Township Animal Shelter are getting a “perfect” makeover that will help expand a popular children’s program.

Earlier this month, renovations kicked off at the town-run shelter that are expected to continue until Feb. 1. When complete, there will be new, high-quality cages with raised beds, “cat bridges” and a variety of cubbies, giving kitties a place to play and hide.

There will also be another valuable amenity, shelter staff said: a nice, big bench.

“The much-needed work will help us expand our children’s reading program – kids come to the shelter to read to the animals,” Shelter Director Liz Morgan said.

• See related article: Kids Can Read To Cats, Dogs At Montclair Animal Shelter

“Reading aloud to a dog or cat helps boost a child’s confidence, reading skills and self-esteem, while also providing a benefit to the animals receiving undivided attention from the kids,” Morgan continued. “Right now, the shelter’s cat room is not well set up for the program since there is no seating. This project will allow us to add a nice big bench for children and their parents to sit, relax and read to the animals.”

The cat room makeover is taking place with plenty of volunteer power and the aid of two, $20,000 grants from Rescue Rebuild, a GreaterGood.org community-driven animal shelter renovation program, and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.

It’s yet another step forward at the shelter, which was ravaged during a fire in April 2016.

• See related article: Rehab Complete At Montclair Animal Shelter After Devastating Fire

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