Hamilton Board of Health outlines accreditation push and shelter strain, cites 96.4% live‑release rate

Hamilton Township’s Board of Health heard a progress report Jan. 16 from Health Director Kathy Fitzgerald and Health Officer Chris Helwig on the division’s push for national accreditation and current animal‑shelter operations.

The department has applied for initial accreditation with the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) and is working to meet 77 required measures, said Veronica Eisenman, the division’s accreditation coordinator. Eisenman said the department submitted its application in October 2023 and must upload supporting documentation by October 2024; staff are targeting an earlier submission in September 2024 and noted a subsequent document review and a PHAB site visit would follow if materials are accepted.

The accreditation work includes building a workforce‑development plan, a quality‑improvement program and training staff in a web‑based performance system (BMSG), Eisenman said. She added grant funding has helped underwrite costs for the accreditation effort.

Helwig framed accreditation as both a benchmark of public‑health practice and a means to improve operational efficiency. "It demonstrates that we're doing the work health departments should be and that we're being good stewards of taxpayer dollars," he said.

The report also highlighted the township animal shelter’s operational strain. Helwig said the shelter’s current census is 91 animals (40 dogs, 46 cats, five other animals), and that last year’s intake was 525 animals resulting in 310 adoptions, 151 returns to owners, 18 transfers to rescue and 18 euthanasias. He reported a 96.4% live‑release rate in 2023 and said 16 of 18 euthanasias were for medical reasons; two were for aggression.

Helwig said the shelter has 36 runs but routinely houses more dogs than runs, citing an average daily dog census of 38.4 in 2023. He calculated basic daily care requires about 22.75 staff‑hours and said chronic full capacity limits the shelter’s ability to accept owner surrenders.

Council members asked about steps to increase adoptions and reduce census. Helwig and Fitzgerald said the shelter is improving postings on social media and the township website, strengthening rescue partnerships and considering budget requests for additional staffing and resources. They also reported an outstanding effort to secure a redundant backup agreement with the city of Trenton for animal‑control coverage; the agreement had been sent to Trenton but not yet executed.

The Board of Health also reminded residents about seasonal vaccinations and immunization audits the department is conducting in preschools and day cares to comply with the state immunization code. Helwig said free rabies clinics will be hosted monthly at the McManaman Building and that a dog’s rabies vaccination must be valid through at least Nov. 1, 2024 to renew licensing online via the GovPilot portal.

The Board recessed after the presentation; council members thanked staff and noted the department’s accreditation work and shelter needs will be considered during upcoming budget discussions.