COLUMBUS — A Burlington County kennel owned by the City of Trenton nears opening ten months after being purchased by the City of Trenton.
Dogs barked inside the former Kennels of Columbus facility now recognized as a Trenton Animal Shelter Annex. The arrival of approximately 40 canines last week ended a city deal with a Yardley, Pa. kennel which made millions while boarding an overflow of dogs from the city’s Animal Shelter.
Since September 2022, that Yardley, Pa. kennel housed as many as 60 dogs while Trenton forked over at least $13,000 weekly on boarding costs.
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Trenton Animal Shelter’s new facility in Columbus is nearly ready to open.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)
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Trenton Animal Shelter’s new facility in Columbus is nearly ready to open.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)
“We have no more dogs at Yardley,” a city employee, granted anonymity explained. The employee asked for anonymity to share details they were not authorized to speak about publicly.
Mayor Reed Gusciora confirmed that the city had “ended its contract with [the] Bucks County kennel.”
Trenton purchased Columbus Kennels in July 2024 but the planned move stalled as officials failed to make minor repairs that could have accelerated opening the facility. The 64,338-square feet facility located off Route 206 in Mansfield Twp. sold for $350,000. Persons familiar with the property noted Kennels of Columbus features 40 indoor/outdoor runs and stands adjacent to the Mansfield Veterinary Hospital.
On April 18, 2024, Gusciora issued an Executive Order that established the Bureau of Animal control which placed the shelter under police supervision. Trenton Police Department Lt. Alexis Durlacher accepted the chief position. The police veteran initiated the purchase of Columbus Kennels to alleviate severe overcrowding at Trenton Animal Shelter, built for accommodation of 20 dogs. TAS frequently housed more than 50 dogs, many caged throughout the Escher St. facility.
Durlacher described the purchase of Columbus Kennels as a temporary solution to the city’s canine problem. Owning the kennels would stop the bleeding out of money to the Yardley, Pa. facility while giving Trenton time to establish a successful adoption program and other initiatives including spay and neuter objectives.
The Gusciora executive order included plans to establish a five-person animal welfare advisory board as Gusciora claimed his creation would “focus on reducing unwanted pet and stray animal populations.” One year later, no advisory board exists although City Council may approve a five-member panel during its next meeting. Even that decision seems ready for challenges as an initial search for advisory board members required applicants to hold city residency. A person familiar with the list notes at least one or more candidates live outside Trenton.
In December, 2024, Gusciora removed Durlacher from her pooch post, as the Department of Health & Human Services under direction of Dr. Diego Minacapelli, reclaimed oversight of Trenton Animal Shelter.
Insiders said the Trenton Animal Shelter should open for business this month, but Gusciora told The Trentonian that he didn’t expect public access at the annex soon.
Gusciora said the current staff at the annex are animal caretakers. He didn’t rule out opening it to the public in the future, but said, for now, staffing limits the possibility of opening to the public.
Trentonian editor John Berry contributed to this report.
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