Good article Shawn. So true too. Thanks for recommending our More to Life Ministry page. Keep up the good work. God is Love!!

While your comments and passion are admirable, I personally find it unfair of you to compare and somewhat criticize the building of the TR animal shelter. Did you use the same rationale when the Ocean County jail was built? All are God's creatures. Humans usually have a choice, while animals don't...and most often at the neglect of humans. While I respect and agree something must be done, you argument here is skewed. The animal shelter is only a portion of the 6.4 million, maybe 2 million of that money. Should you go after the 4.4 mil being spent on the renovation? I believe the church withdrew the proposal when local residents did not want a homeless shelter in their neighborhood . The Church can still have the option to build a shelter in a nonresidential area. The building of an animal shelter has nothing to do with the building of a homeless shelter. Sorry.

Very well said Mr ? humans do have a choice. Not so the pets that come forth due to non responsible humans that do not spay or nueter. Not those animals that are bought and them abandoned, etc.
Your whole statement in respect to a shelter where abandoned homeless pets thru no choice of there own can be sheltered and loving responsible humans can come and adopt and give a forever home to these sad and loving homeless creatures.

Yes. People do have choices. But not all people who are homeless "choose" to be so. Most of us have family and friends to fall back on in times of need. Some do not. Also, many who are homeless are in that situation due to situations they didn't "choose". I don't think anyone would "choose" to have a mental or physical disability which keeps one from working. Also, many who do work cannot afford a place to live due to a unreasonable minimum wage and lack of affordable housing. Also, I don't think anyone chooses to get laid off from there job, there house to go into foreclosure, run through all there savings, and lose everything they worked for there whole life. I can go on and on about causes of homelessness that were not "choices". So maybe get to know some people who are experiencing homelessness before making the assumption that that is there "choice". Thank you and May God Bless you all.

My experience with the homeless is that many have put themselves in that situation. Not all, but many are abusing drugs and alcohol. While many of us make sacrifices to support ourselves and family, many of these take an easier path. Why does the hard working taxpayer have to shoulder all the responsibility for those who have less? Where are their families? I see healthy people sucking off the system in section 8 assistance housing, who have money to "party" and smoke cigarettes, but not for rent. When their assistance runs out many become homeless. All the warm and fuzzy people want to help, but I think we are creating and perpetuating the problem. How about accountability? That being said, there are the rare few who have done all the right things and need help. That is where our resources belong. We need more aggressive social workers to screen out the deadbeat leaches on society. Got to go to work now!!!!! I work 3 jobs so many have to work none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with brother mike. My ex was severely injured in a car accident learned to write again etc and walk so so went back to work a yr later ( orig hospitalization was months long then rehab) with a cath bag in long pants in summer and then got hit at a red light further hurting his spine. Ended up on permanent disability the $ from which all goes to child support. He was foreclosed and homeless for almost a yr. when not at my house he slept in his car. He just got an apt from a nice lady who let him stay a few wks free first as the prior tenant had paid and let my ex stay thru the month. He's going to do flea markets and try n keep the place. It's very hard tho and he always worked 12 hr days plus commute. Animals are important. I used to do dog shows and they were my babies. I love my dog. Humans should come first and we should be able to help BOTH THE most vulnerable in each.

Well Brother mike, you used quotation marks around the word "choice". Can I assume regards my post? "Humans usually have a choice" ..... and I did use the word "usually" May I also tell you, I have known three homeless individuals and all have chosen to live in the woods and not go to a shelter. Also, there are homeless shelters available, although 50 miles away to Atlantic city. And my other points I presented? It was the perspective of criticizing the building and use of funds to build an animal shelter instead of a shelter for our homeless that I took exception to. Other than that, I support your efforts and want to add, God bless you! By your concerns I believe he already has.

I never met a drug addict dog or cat.

I believe the writing itself is very clear for those who read it with open minds and compassionate hearts. The animal shelter and the care for animals is a worthy cause that I support.

What grieves me is the condition of our moral priorities. We have animals living in climate controlled conditions as if they are human, and humans living in the wilderness as if they are animals.

People see the homeless as the rare breed of vagabonds who prefer this lifestyle - which in some cases of the chronically homeless is accurate. However, there are people - there are families, who walk into Ocean County Social Services on Hooper Ave in Toms River seeking assistance for temporary housing and are unable to always receive it because the funds provided by the state or federal programs have been exhausted. They are making a choice to find shelter, not to be homeless.

Three years ago, my wife and I, along with our four children, found ourselves temporarily homeless as we had to short sell our home because of foreclosure due to a job loss. We slept for over 1 year on the basement floor of a family member.

I do hope that my thought provoking letter will help us consider and even correct our upside down moral thinking. If we can take care of both beasts and brother, then we should do both. If however, time and resources constrict our efforts, than people should be our priority. Rev. Shawn Hyland www.movetheearth.org

Did anyone notice that on the last page of alot of magazines for $25.00 you can become an minister? The bible talks about false profits.....With Love "soon to be" REV Mary. I will support a homeless animal anyday without hesitation.

I agree with Bob whose post went up as I typed and Shawn. I just wrote a lengthy note recounting personal experience and things I've seen first hand and heard from reliable sources which proves how ass backwards our current system is but Patch said " easy there tolstoy" and I don't have time to edit. Bottom line they make ppl who've paid into the system for decades suffer and those who know how to work the system milk it. BETTER screening processes and training for social workers who help make these decisions SHOULD BE a priority!

Humanity. We forget what that is in this country, but we give freely to help other countries and animals. I believe all the artical is saying is we should look inside of ourselves and help humans in our country. Can any of you live in your houses, or appartments on $7.25. If so please give the world some education on finances. Some homeless people fought for your life to live freely in this country, but becasue it not in the media you do not respect or recognize them. Maybe a president who can earn $240 million dollars for his campaign can help or hungry in this country.

Lets not forget that we already have a shelter for teens in Toms River that has been established in this community for a very long time and there hasn't been any incidents to the local residents. Just because someone is homeless doesn't mean that they are all drug addicts. There are many different reasons why others become homeless. Its a shame that this community likes to pretend everything is perfect and would rather protect animals over human beings.

I would like to see an animal shelter, but the building of it is a sideline to the police station and the court room expansion.....kill the expansion, leave the shelter. Don't we have departments in the township that could be put to good use and build the shelter, cost less than getting outside companies and we could inspect it ourselves for free. One other thing, Doesn't the County have a an animal facility, whould it be possible to incorporate the two and staffing.

God Bless you Brother Hyland for reminding us simple COMMON "PENNIES"
if i ever can save up enuff $$ dough, or HiT the mega i'll grab a hammer and make sure my fellow brothers or sisters can simply stay warm in the winter just like our FELINE and CANINE PETS......

most of the homeless are animals so maybe we could house they could share a cell with fido. Then, if nobody claims them they can be euthanized.

It saddens me to think that most of us have become so detached from humanity. We live in a world that revolves around material objects, money and SELFish ways. We often forget the bigger picture of life, we are all one of the same human race. While I agree that the majority of the homeless community has or had a drug/alcohol problem, I disagree on the judgement we pass on these individuals.Are we all so perfect? Did you ever think by helping these people we may offer hope, encouragement or love to them. Most of the homeless community have been homeless since they were children/teenagers, have lost their jobs or have a mental illness. It is easy to be ignorant/fearful of the unknown. No one is asking you to volunteer at a shelter, but think about how tragic it would be if that was you. No matter what (by their choice or not), no one deserves to die alone on the street/ woods in the cold. Remember, God's tests come in all forms. Lead with love not hate.

So true