Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center, 125 County House Rd., Blackwood, NJ is in violation of state laws and have failed to follow their Standard Operating Procedures for several years.

Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood NJ is in violation of: N.J.A.C. 8:23A-4.1
State: New Jersey - Rabies Vaccine
Who Administers the Vaccine: Duly licensed veterinarian. N.J.A.C. 8:23A–4.1
Proof of Vaccination: The veterinarian immunizing the animal shall issue and sign a National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Form #51, “Rabies Vaccination Certificate."
N.J.A.C. 8:23A–4.1
For many years the Director of Operations, kennel and med staff have been administering rabies vaccines to cats and dogs knowingly this is a violation of N.J.A.C. 8:23A-4.1. ONLY a licensed veterinarian should administer the rabies vaccine. Homeward Bound has covered up this illegal practice by using the software known as Pet Point. Staff selects from the drop-down menu in Pet Point to select Dr. Joe Filigno as the licensed vet who administered the vaccine, which is a complete lie, around 90% of the animals the vet does not administer the vaccine. Homeward Bound's Board, past/current Executive Directors and the Director of Operations have known about this violation and have continued to have staff administer the rabies vaccine. I was the Development Manager and fostered for many years, I alone am a witness to 100s of animals that were given the rabies vaccine by someone other than the licensed vet. Former/current fosters and former staff are also eyewitnesses in regard to violation N.J.A.C. 8:23A-4.1. Here are just a few examples below proving the violation. 

Karl animal ID A0049307896, clinic and the vet were off on Christmas Eve 2021, the vet did not give the rabies vaccine, unlicensed staff gave the vaccine. 

 

 

Buddy animal ID A0052164768, clinic and the vet are off every Saturday, the vet did not give the rabies vaccine, unlicensed staff gave the vaccine.

 

 

Stax animal ID A0035704244, Monday - Friday the vet scheduled is not at Homeward Bound past 3pm, unlicensed staff gave the vaccine.

 

 

Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood NJ is in violation of: N.J.A.C. 8:23A–1.11
State: New Jersey - Euthanasia - Only licensed veterinarians or persons under the direct supervision of a veterinarian should perform euthanasia on the animals. For many years the Clinic Manager, Valerie Miller, Director of Operations, Lauren Gravino and Shelter Medicine/Feline Care Manager, Danielle Davis have continued to euthanize animals without a vet present (we would like to know where they received their certification from), instead they have either kennel or med staff present to assist with euthanasia. Med and kennel staff received their so-called euthanasia certification by performing on 3 cats and 3 dogs, and a vet has not been present each time for this so called "training." Lauren Gravino and Valerie Miller are not a licensed vet and should not be training staff to euthanize. Due to Homeward Bound negligence, several animals have suffered during this process. One dog in particular euthanasia went terribly wrong and his story is below:

Beethoven's Story: On October 21, 2021, Beethoven was found starved in the streets of Camden, NJ, he was brought in as a stray to Homeward Bound. His bio posted by Homeward Bound: Beethoven is deaf and visually impaired, but he still gets around okay! He is about 3 years old and will need an understanding, patient family due to his disability. He is sweet and good-natured, but a little clumsy. He is super treat motivated which should help with training. Beethoven's adoption fee has been sponsored and he's ready to go home!

 

 

On March 17, 2022, notes in Pet Point state: Beethoven was gone for about an hour and ended up biting (barely a puncture) The potential adopters did not follow instructions that were given. Beethoven does not
do good in cars. (Where are the notes that the so-called potential adopter's failure to follow instructions? There was zero documentation or reports of this so-called alleged bite, which shows once again Homeward Bound failed to follow their Standard Operating Procedure).

 

 

On April 7, 2022, Beethoven was adopted, sadly on February 18, 2023, he was surrendered by his adopter for "behavior." No further in-depth details were listed under his chart in Pet Point. Could it have been because he is deaf, visual impaired and once again, he received zero training at the shelter or by his adopters? Special needs dogs need a lot of special care. 

 

 

On March 28, 2023, 1:09:52 PM Behavior Staff Notes by Lauren Gravino (look at the date it took over one month to enter the incident? This raises a HUGE red flag when it comes to their Standard Operating Procedures): On 2/19 Alia was out at the picnic table with Beethoven. I went out to address a medical concern. After I approached and was at a safe distance Beethoven lunged and growled at me grabbing the sleeve of my shirt but not breaking skin. Alia quickly pulled him back with his leash. The incident was reported to Lisa M immediately after.
lgravino

 

 

On March 28, 2023, 1:53:33 PM Behavior Staff Notes by Lauren Gravino: Eval on 3/27/23- Christina Micarelli, Destiny and Tim. When Beethoven's kennel was approached by Christina, he was lunging and barking aggressively.
Tim removed Beethoven from the kennel, and he was ok outside.
Resource test was done:
Toy- Severe resource guarding bit hand right away
Bone- Bit the hand
Food- Did the head touch with the hand before putting the hand in the food and Beethoven started freaking out, then turned around and bit the hand. Destiny then pulled the hand away and he was still trying to go after the hand. Beethoven was then returned to the kennel and did ok going back. lgravino

Take notice to the image, zero notes were entered under Behavior Tests for 3/27/23 for the evaluation that took place, so did this so called "aggressive behavior" ever happen? 

 

 

Why on earth would an evaluation take place the same day after Beethoven displayed aggression outside, he was already worked up, so what does staff do, put him through tests, this makes zero sense! Homeward Bound continues to use old practices during dog evaluations by using a fake plastic hand attached to a long pole to "test" the dogs. Using a fake hand to deliberately provoke dogs is a cruel trick to falsely label dogs as aggressive, this practice has turned a dog into a food guarding dog, but thousands of people have done the tests believing that it was the best way to keep the public safe from serious injury. No progressive shelter uses the Sue Sternberg fake white plastic hand. Heather Mohan-Gibbons, ASPCA Director of Research in a talk titled, "What happens when animal shelters stop assessing for food guarding in their shelter assessments?" "We learned that the answer was crystal clear: NOTHING." Food guarding tests are not reliable predictive of behavior once a dog leaves a shelter setting and they have no effect of whether a dog is returned to the shelter or not. 

April 9, 2023, which is a Sunday, and the veterinarian was not working nor scheduled to work, Beethoven was euthanized by Lauren Gravino the Director of Operations for "serious guard risk to humans and animals." Beethoven was special needs; he was deaf, visual impaired and really needed proper training from professionals to help with his special needs, could this be the reason he showed behavior issues? Could his special needs be the reason why he was returned twice? Why was he not posted by Homeward Bound has URGENT one time the entire length of his stay? Beethoven should have been pulled by a rescue. As you can see by the image Homeward Bound is in violation of N.J.A.C. 8:23A–1.11 State: New Jersey - Euthanasia and now the WHOLE TRUE STORY will be told as to what happened to Beethoven during euthanasia. 

 

 

Things went terribly wrong while Beethoven was being put to death on April 9, 2023. Homeward Bound's volunteers Alia Fabrico and Michelle Sartorio were allowed in the exam room while Beethoven was being sedated, Alia and Michelle were giving Beethoven treats while staff was trying to sedate him. Beethoven was throwing up because of the volunteers stuffing treats in his mouth all while repeatedly saying sorry to him because he was being put to death. Beethoven was not responding to the injection of a barbiturate to sedate him because he was so worked up. The amount of the tranq and euthasol that had to be used on Beethoven was the amount that would be given to a horse! Brooke M., Victoria D., Ryan P. (kennel staff) and Holly C. (med staff) were also in the room, why were so many in the room that do not assist with euthanizing? Why was a vet not present? Beethoven became so over stimulated that he bit Michelle Sartorio. Once he bit Michelle it was too late to put Beethoven on a bite hold due to the amount of the drug he was already pumped with. The volunteers left the room. Ryan P. had to use the catch pole to hold Beethoven down, he also had to place two muzzles on Beethoven while Lauren Gravino and staff placed a blanket over Beethoven and were holding him down, so Lauren (Director of Operations an unlicensed vet) could continue with euthanizing him. Can you imagine the final moments of Beethoven's life, how can this be ok? How can a shelter get away with this type of suffering they caused to an animal! Once Beethoven was dead Lauren Gravino and Lisa McCauley used the saw to decapitate Beethoven's head. When a dog bites and is euthanized prior to a 10-day bite hold, legally the shelter must decapitate the head of the animal and send the head out for rabies testing, even if the animal received the rabies vaccine. Due to Homeward Bound's failure to follow state laws governing euthanasia and failure to follow their own Standard Operating Procedures Beethoven suffered during his last moments on earth! Volunteers are never to be in any exam rooms, clinic, drop off or evaluation rooms. No one other than authorized staff and the vet should be in the room during any procedure. Those who wish to say their goodbyes to an animal set to be euthanized are to visit the animal at their kennel or sometimes the person will be granted to take the dog for one last walk under supervision. Could this have been prevented if the Executive Director and the Director of Operations followed procedures? Absolutely! Also why is staff decapitating the heads of animals and not the vet? Homeward Bound is in violation of: New Jersey Statutes 26:4-82 authorizes Health Officers to examine animals that have bitten people during the 10-day holding period. If the animal dies or is euthanized within the 10-day confinement period, the Health Officer may order laboratory testing for rabies to be performed. If the suspect rabid animal is euthanized, the veterinarian shall decapitate and store the head under refrigeration until it is delivered to New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) for rabies testing. In Beethoven's situation a vet did not decapitate the head. Many animals that have had their head decapitate either Lauren Gravino, Valerie Miller, along with some staff members of medstaff and kennel staff have continued to partake in this act, more stories to come. If the vet would do what is expected of them, maybe suffering would not have happened. Why was the Director of Operations Lauren Gravino and the Executive Director Ken Sieranski allowing others in the room knowing this is against policy? The Executive Director of Homeward Bound is a licensed vet, if anyone should know the laws, it is HIM! The bite to the volunteer, the decapitating of Beethoven could have totally been avoided and Homeward Bound needs to be held accountable! Lastly why was none of this documented in Pet Point, where are the reports? Could the reason be that Homeward Bound never wanted this information to get out? There are eyewitnesses to everything that happened to Beethoven. BEETHOVEN DESERVES JUSTICE!

Sadly, IF Beethoven's body was tossed into the freezer at Homeward Bound and was eventually picked up with a freezer full of dead bodies by Mark Merola M&S Pet Removal Services and hauled off to the Salem County Landfill to be dumped with the trash. M&S Pet Removal Services is also related to Bravo Packing Company, same family, businesses located at the same address: MAP Bravo Packing Inc and M&S Pet Removal Services, 59 N Golfwood Ave, Carneys Point, NJ 08069. Bravo Packing Company is owned by Joseph Merola who was convicted of animal cruelty December 19, 2022. The shelter continues to pay $1200.00 per pick up (I have a recorded conversation with Mark Merola to prove this) to M&S to dispose the dead bodies with trash. Bravo Packing Guilty​ Bravo Packing Company Investigation.

The drug used to euthanize is pentobarbital sodium, this is a highly toxic parenteral solution. We understand euthanized animals must be properly disposed of by deep burial, incineration, or other method in compliance with state and local laws, to prevent consumption of carcass material by scavenging wildlife, which a landfill would be sufficient for proper disposal. But how do we know IF the landfill is properly following procedures? The rate at which decomposition occurs depends on the type of animal, its environment, and the type of bacteria present. Eventually, the animal’s body will be reduced to its basic elements, like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, which become part of the soil in a landfill. Regardless we cannot wrap our heads around the method Homeward Bound chooses to dispose of the bodies, why allow animals to rot and decompose with trash? We have been advocating for mass cremation for over a year and to stop using M&S Pet Removal Services. Commissioner Jonathan Young clearly states in a town hall meeting, over a year ago, when I spoke publicly, that he would address my concerns, especially the use of M&S Pet Removal Services and he has yet to do anything about it. Video here: Addressing the dumping of bodies in the landfill.

 

Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood NJ is in violation of their own Standard Operating Procedure: Bite/behavior cases. Incidents have not been documented or reported properly for dogs they've put on death row or euthanized.

Recently a dog named Lydia animal ID A0051789860 was on death row, Read Lydia's Story there was a claim of a bite, the rescue who pulled Lydia asked the Lifesavings Manager Shawna Donahue for the reports on the "bite incident", Shawna Donahue's response and I quote on July 28, 2023 "So I was not present for her bite but this is what transpired from what I am told. The potential adopter was sitting down at the picnic table and Lydia approached them with a loose body, seemingly relaxed. The potential adopter was sitting with their hands resting on their knees. Lydia approached them and sniffed their hand, then just bit their hand out of nowhere. Her handler tugged on the leash and she let go, just biting once. The bite did not break skin but the potential adopter did not seek medical attention." The Lifesavings Manager Shawna Donahue could not release a report because it was never done. The kennel manager Lisa Macauley was fired, reason: not doing her job, but why was she the only one being held accountable? Why aren't the other managers, Executive Director and the Director of Operations being held accountable? Is the reason "I was not present" a valid reason to not follow up with something so serious of a claim that Lydia could have been euthanized over? The answer is clear, NO. If anyone should be making sure cases are documented, it is the Lifesavings Department.

This has raised some serious questions. Did the bites/behavior ever happen? Do these dogs deserve to be on death row when there's no documentation to back up the bite/behavior claim? What about the dogs that have been euthanized due to a "supposed" bite/behavior with zero documentation? Included below is Homeward Bound's Standard Operating Procedure when it comes to bites. We are also entering further evidence of violation N.J.A.C. 8:23A-4.1, Lydia's records show she was given the rabies vaccine on December 17, 2022, which is a Saturday, clinic and the vets are off on the weekends. Lydia was given the vaccine by a staff member who is not a licensed vet. Click here to view Lydia's records

We are including the following documentation of a few dogs that have ZERO records of documentation of the so-called bite/behavior that have been euthanized to show an example of failing to properly follow procedures along with violating N.J.A.C. 8:23A–1.11 State: New Jersey - Euthanasia, just look at the name who euthanized the animal, she is not a licensed veterinarian.

Courage​

Bear​

Jameson​

Atlas​

Dexter​

Pawuel​

Elmo

We demand the following:

1. A full accounting of N.J.A.C. 8:23A-4.1, N.J.A.C. 8:23A–1.11, Standard Operating Procedure violations.

2. A full accounting of what happened to Beethoven during euthanasia. Also, President of the Board Michelle Zebrowski, the Executive Director and the Director of Operations be held accountable. 

3. A clear, public, statement from Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center regarding the violations in question, including clear guidelines and address what we are asking for.

4.  A full investigation by the Mayor of Gloucester Township David R. Mayer, Mayor of Camden County Victor G. Carstarphen, Liaison of Homeward Bound Commissioner Jonathan Young, Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, Commissioner Louis Cappelli, Gloucester Township HLEO Officer, Local and State Health Department, The State Board of Veterinary Linda Freise, Director Camden County Code Enforcement Gabriel Camacho, President Camden County City Council Angel Fuentes and Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay. Beethoven was a stray from Camden, NJ we also request Rob from Independent Animal Control to contact the Human Law Enforcement Officer of Camden City to also open an investigation. All of the individuals mentioned above have received numerous emails regarding all said violations on July 30, 2023, August 1, 2023, August 2, 2023, August 3, 2023, August 9, 2023, and August 10, 2023. We have yet to receive a response. 

Homeward Bound budgeted in 2022 the amount of income they would receive from animals coming into the shelter from the following jurisdictions:

4300-Municipal Contracts $60.00

4302-Bellmawr $26,000.00

4301-Audubon $1,300.00

4305-Brooklawn $6,500.00

4306-Camden City $247,000.00

4307-Camden County $408,000.00

4311-Gloucester Twp $130,000.00

4312-Haddon Twp $11,700.00

4313-Hi-Nella $1,560.00

4314-Lindenwold $55,250.00

4316-Mt. Ephraim $6,500.00

4317-Oaklyn $6,500.00

4318-Pennsauken $52,000.00

4319-Pine Hill $28,600.00

4320-Runnemede $15,600.00

4321-Somerdale $6,630.00

4324-Winslow Township $52,000.00

4325 - Barrington $7,800.00

4326-Court Case Holds $16,000.00

Total: $1,079,000.00 this is NOT their entire budget; this proves an estimated amount of funding Homeward Bound receives to intake animals from each jurisdiction. Also on April 21, 2023, Homeward Bound was awarded $717,900.00 in funding to provide the best quality of care for the animals, more info here: American Rescue Plan Funding.

There are no regulations outside of required law ensuring that shelters follow pristine morals and ethics towards the animals entrusted into their care. WE ASK that proper management, staff (behavioralists/trainers) be established. WE ask that a licensed vet performs ALL euthanasia and administers ALL rabies vaccine. WE ASK that Homeward Bound follow their Standard Operating Procedures to ensure all of the animals receive proper documentation to prove "said" claims. WE ASK that board positioning REQUIRE staff/volunteers be trained and educated in the animal profession thoroughly. WE ASK that all officials and representatives listed above take the animals lives seriously and stop ignoring our pleas. WE ASK the shelter use funding that they collect from each jurisdiction for animals brought into the shelter be budgeted to use for mass cremation services for example: Paws to Heaven Pet Crematory which is in our opinion the most humane way of disposal and to no longer use M&S Pet Removal Services. The most common method of disposal is cremation, which is a respectful and hygienic way to handle the remains. Homeward Bound should always strive to honor the animals in the most respectful way possible.

Should the following above be ignored and not changed, WE WILL push even harder for Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center's contract to be PULLED, there is plenty of illegal practices happening that are grounds for the contract to be voided. If Homeward Bound cannot do right by the animals, follow state laws and follow their Standard Operating Procedures, the President of the Board Michelle Zebrowski has no right to continue to uphold a contract. There are plenty of other nonprofits that would be willing to do right by the animals. Lastly, save the overcrowding excuse, this has been going on long before overcrowding. 

Numbers to call:

John Supa - Animal Control & he is supposed to investigate complaints. 

(856) 374-6043 

Jonathan Young - Camden County Commissioner & Liaison for the shelter (856) 225-5562

State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - (973) 504-6500

Paschal Nwako, Camden County Health Office - 856-374-6000

Camden County Prosecutor's Office

Vincent P. Sarubbi 

(856) 225-8400

(856) 963-0080

Our final words: here are some of the faces that ended up in the Salem County Landfill, WE will continue to fight for change on all areas addressed. WE are their voice, and WE will keep up the good fight!