Beloved Montclair vet George Cameron retires, and hundreds say goodbye – NorthJersey.com

For 83 years, a Dr. George Cameron has been healing animals — beloved pets as well as animals no one wanted — at Cameron Animal Hospitalin downtown Montclair.

Sunday night, about 400 human well-wishers, some from a couple of generations back, came to George Cameron Jr.’s retirement party at Greenleaf Eclectic Cafe, many standing in line for a chance to say goodbye.

Dr. George Cameron Sr. opened the hospital, which is still in its original building at 417 Bloomfield Avenue, in 1936; in 1970, the younger Cameron took over after his father’s death. 

Both were known for being as dedicated to healing and helping homeless animals, or those whose owners couldn’t afford their fees, as they were to the pets of paying customers. 

At the party, Katelyn Cameron, George Cameron Jr.’s sister, recalled how children who found stray cats would bring them to the hospital, where her father would treat them and send the children away with a lollipop.

“Nothing’s more pleasurable than getting a cat or dog in distress and saving it,” said George Cameron, who estimates that the hospital takes in 300 to 400 cats a year, as well as a half dozen dogs; rabbits, mice and even wildlife such as foxes, raccoons and deer.

“I love cats; I have about 200 now in the hospital that I’m trying to find homes for,” he said. “It’s a big expense but it’s so heartwarming.”

“Dr. Cameron is so unusual,” said Mike Martinez, a technician at the hospital who bought the business last year along with vet Liz Houston.

“Most vets want the money upfront, so people are afraid they’ll be financially responsible if they bring in a sick or injured animal. But people know Dr. Cameron’s first intent is to make sure the animal is taken care of, no matter what. It’s not about financial gain.” 

George Cameron Jr. founded Montclair’s PAWS animal rescue group, and worked pro bono for the Montclair Animal Shelter and the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

In 1980 he was appointed by Gov. Brendan Byrne to the state’s Board of Medical Examiners and remained in the position for 16 years.

Naturally, Sunday’s party was also a fundraiser for homeless animals. More than $10,000 was donated that night and through a GoFundMe page. Half the funds will go to care for homeless animals at the hospital; the other half will help create a low-cost clinic at the Montclair Animal Shelter for those who can’t afford care for their pets, Houston said.

The clinic is slated to open next year; among its services will be a monthly wellness clinic providing low-cost vaccines and spaying. It will serve clients at times convenient for working people.

Houston and Martinez say Cameron’s legacy will live on. Although they are freshening up the offices, including the brass lettering and art deco accents outside, and the original wooden corrals inside, they plan to change very little.

“Our main goal is to keep doing what he did, and doing it his way,” said Martinez

Cameron’s wife, Juanita, died four years ago, but he is looking forward to spending time with his daughter Deborah and her four children. 

He said is very grateful to the people of Montclair, who supported him and shared his concern for homeless pets.

“A lot of people said that if we did what we did for the animals we would go out of business,” he said.

“I never got rich but I’m happy and I sleep well at night.” 

Julia Martin covers Montclair for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: jmartin@gannettnj.com Twitter: @TheWriteJulia 

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