The Burlington County Animal Shelter is currently at capacity and is seeking adopters or fosters interested in providing loving homes for a dog or cat. There are even five rabbits that are now available.
As an open intake facility, the shelter does not refuse any surrendered animal or stray, according to information provided by the county.
So far this year, the shelter has taken in more than 2,000 animals, including 556 surrenders and 1,389 strays, according to the statement. More than 870 animals have been adopted from the shelter and 285 have been placed in foster care or with supporting rescue groups from across the East Coast.
“There’s few better feelings than the love and affection of a loyal four-legged family member, and our shelter is full of potential pets who are waiting to find a new home,” Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell, who is the board’s liaison to the shelter, said in the statement. “We’re encouraging anyone who is thinking about adopting or fostering to contact the shelter and arrange for a visit.”
Animals available for adoption from the shelter can be viewed at www.petango.com/Shelters/Burlington-County-Animal-Shelter-5405.
Applications can be filled out online at that website.
All adoption fees are waived for veterans and residents 60 and older.
To contact the shelter directly to arrange a visit, call 609-265-5073.
Residents interested in fostering an animal should contact the shelter to request an application and phone interview. Once applications are reviewed, appointments will be scheduled for potential fosters to meet an animal.
A total of seven of the shelter’s dogs and 198 cats are currently in foster homes.
“Fostering a dog or cat is a way for some animals to get into a routine and learn social manners and basic obedience, and our shelter staff have had great success in finding permanent homes for animals that have been fostered,” O’Connell said in the statement.
In addition to encouraging residents to consider adopting pets from the shelter, the commissioners also stressed the importance of ensuring existing pets are spayed or neutered. Doing so can help prevent behavior issues among dogs and unnecessary litters of kittens, according to the statement.
Residents can also support the shelter and its operations with either monetary donations or supplies.
A list of requested items is located on the shelter website at www.co.burlington.nj.us/1290/Donation-Wish-List
“I’ve seen firsthand the love and attention our animal shelter staff and volunteers provide to the animals under their care, but there’s nothing a dog or cat wants more than to have their own home and family,” O’Connell said in the statement. “It’s good for them and for those who welcome them into their homes, so we’re doing everything we can to get as many of these pets adopted as possible.”