Montclair Township Hires Acting Animal Shelter Director

Montclair Township Manager Timothy Stafford is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Dawson as acting Animal Shelter Director. She will serve at the Shelter until the position can be permanently filled.

Ms. Dawson brings to the shelter extensive knowledge and experience with animal welfare operations management. Most recently she served as the Interim Director for the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter after the NJSPCA took receivership of the agency. While there, she developed a business plan for a financially sustainable and humane shelter which was presented to the borough’s council.

Prior to that Ms. Dawson was the Executive Director at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, where she helped triple adoption numbers, significantly increased TNR rates, and raised the awareness level of the organization, thereby helping double donations over previous years.

“We are confident that Ms. Dawson will provide our shelter the appropriate guidance to help organize operations and offer a smooth transition for the person who will ultimately fill the director position,” said Township Manager Stafford. “We look forward to working with her in the coming months to ensure that our shelter animals have the best care possible.”