The legend of St. Hubert dates back to about the year 720. A French courtier and accomplished archer, Hubert was hunting in the Ardennes forest when he had a vision that prompted him to renounce his bow and arrow and became a priest. Among his other good works, St. Hubert is said to have healed many of rabies and also set up a refuge for dogs.

It's not surprising then, that a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the human-animal bond would be named after him.

St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center of New Jersey has touched thousands of people and pets since its founding in 1939. The staff of 66 employees and 541 volunteers at its two facilities - in Madison and North Branch — attends to the needs of approximately 4,500 cats, dogs and small wildlife every year.

Finding permanent homes
Pet adoption is the heart of the organization's work. St. Hubert's participates in Lifelong Friends, a pet matchmaking program sponsored by the ASPCA and IAMS. Adoption counselors work closely with potential owners to find animal companions that will suit their lifestyles and preferences, reducing the number of adoptable animals that are returned to shelters because the owner and the pet are incompatible.

"We really try to perfectly match pets with people," says David Plaskow, St. Hubert's public relations director. All pets for adoption at St Hubert's are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on their vaccinations, and bathed and groomed before heading to their new homes. Last year more than 1600 animals were matched with families.

St. Hubert's is the first and only shelter in New Jersey to be awarded the maximum five stars under the American Humane Association's "Standard of Excellence" evaluation program

More than an animal shelter
However, notes Plaskow, "we're not just a shelter, we're a broad-based organization dedicated to people and pets."

Professional counselors at St. Hubert's offer free pet loss therapy sessions, and veterinary and toxicology professionals staff the St. Hubert's Pet Poison Hotline (800-565-5719). Animal control officers are on call 24 hours a day to respond to companion animal emergencies.

Perhaps one of the greatest services St. Hubert's provides is Paws for People, animal assisted therapy. Specially trained volunteers and their certified pets visit hospitals and long-term health care facilities, allowing patients to enjoy the benefits of interaction with well-behaved pets.

Humane education also plays a large part at St. Hubert's. Each year, thousands of New Jersey children participate in classes designed to teach them about animals and their needs. St. Hubert's aims to create an environment in which animals are respected, appreciated and protected.

Plaskow proudly reports that St Hubert's tremendous volunteer network has provided more than 16,000 hours of assistance. "Volunteers are the lifeblood of any non-profit organization," he adds, noting that there are always opportunities for others to become involved. For more information, please visit the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center website at www.sthuberts.org, or call (973) 514-5920.