The Town of Smithtown's Zoning Changes Try to Close Down an Animal Hospice
What About the Animals?
However, a high-powered international law firm is working pro bono to help "Angel's Gates" to help overturn the zoning code change.
In February, the town of Smithtown denied "Angel's Gates" the right to stay despite protests by many supporters who demanded the hospice stay in its current residential location at 18 Josephine Lane.
Jaime Jackson, the lead attorney in the case for Angel's Gates had this to say:
"We feel that these facts demonstrate that Susan and Victor have been unfairly targeted."
Susan Marino, one of the owners of Angel's Gates, is a former nurse. What happens at Angel's Gates is Susan Marino and Vic LaBruna take care of dying and/or terminally ill animals, rather than terminating the animals via euthanasia. Also, they have added animal rehabilitation to Angel's Gates.
Despite the good heart of Susan Marino and Vic LaBruma, many close neighbors have called the town asking for them to shut down the hospice due to excessive nose, abundant traffic from volunteers coming and leaving, and also large amounts of garbage.
What this case seems to boil down to is the comfort of the neighbors and zoning violations versus the good hearted and the well-being of terminally ill animals and giving them a place to stay while they live their last days on Earth. What will happen to this hospice is unsure as of right now while the law firm and the town of Smithtown come to a decision. As of right now, this is how the town of Smithtown sees this dilemma when it comes to zoning issues according to Newsday:
"[...] its original use was not in conformity and citing its not-for-profit status, its use of employees and the number of animals is excessive to regular family use."
Hopefully the law firm representing Angel's Gates and the town of Smithtown come to a decision in which everyone can be happy, and the welfare of the terminally ill or injured animals are also still in good hands.
Angel's Gates currently takes care of over 200 animals. These animals include a wide variety of animals, usually domesticated animals, such as such as dogs, cats, and birds.
Questions/comments? E-mail me at chem1calburn@yahoo.com or simply message me via Associated Content.
Published by Andrew Berry - Featured Contributor in Technology
Andrew Berry has acquired his Fire Fighter 1 Certification from the Yaphank Fire Academy and is currently an active volunteer firefighter in a department residing in Suffolk County, NY. He has also earned hi... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentWhat a compelling story
I see a solution for both sides. At a young age, I had pancreatic cancer in 1976, I was a new architectutral engineer, Today, my wife and I help cancer patients with great success, so, i see the concerns on both sides. I believe the neighbors have their heart in the right place, but the noise & traffic become unbearable upon expansion. The solution - find a location out of a residential area with open areas for animls to be outside & ability to expand, create an area so volunteers and vets have areas to properly help these animals. this allows for 24/7 working hours and 3 shifts to care for the animals more efficiently without disturbing the peace & quiet the residential neighbors are entitled to. If the volunteers and others actively seek an empty building, i am sure that they will find a building that will create a much better environment for these animals, I helped animals with various cancers, then people adopt them after recovery. There are more options to expand when not confined
I'll think about that Jamie. I'll have to do some research, but then i'll write one up. Good idea. :)
I've never heard of a shelter that basically acts as an animal hospice. Not only do I hope they stay open, I hope it gets more national play. Ever think about writing an article about how an animal hospice works, and then referencing this place? The more generalized treatment might get more attention. (and yeah, the cute kitty got me. I was trapped into reading when I saw it.)
I feel bad as well, which is why I wrote the article. Also, I tried to find the cutest picture of a kitten for more of an impact. :)
That's horrible!
sad story, hope everything works out for the good!
this is an outrage. there aren't enough "angels" out there for animals. I hope it all works out for the best.