Almost All Manahawkin Shelter Dogs Have Found Homes

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter shared an empty picture of the facility Friday morning. All adoptable dogs found homes.

The Ocean County Animal Shelter, which has facilities in Manahawkin and Jackson, found adoptees for 82 pets — 52 cats and 30 dogs — in the last 14 days. That includes 30 cats and 14 dogs from Manahawkin and 22 cats and 16 dogs in Jackson.

"We are very pleased with the number of adoptions the past few weeks and probably one of the better holiday seasons we’ve had in a several years," said Ocean County Animal Facilities spokesperson Brian Lippai.

But work isn't over for the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter. Homeless pets can arrive at any time. The Manahawkin facility now has one dog, while the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility in Jackson has two. Lippai shared the numbers only a couple hours after the picture of the empty Manahawkin shelter was shared.

Animal shelters also face a unique challenge during the holidays. The Ocean County Health Department doesn't want people adopting pets on an impulse for a gift, Lippai says. He encouraged people to continue adopting shelter pets all year as long as they're ready to make the commitment.

"We make sure people do their homework and are ready for a lifelong commitment," Lippai said. "Pets aren’t toys that can be discarded once the novelty has worn off."

The Manahawkin and Jackson facilities are both about half-full with cats, and a few kittens are available.

All pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and receive age-appropriate vaccinations.

You can adopt pets from the following locations:

• Southern Ocean County Animal Facility: 360 Haywood Road, Manahawkin.
• Northern Ocean County Animal Facility: 615 Freemond Ave., Jackson.

"Our job is never done," Lippai said. "But the entire staff love weeks like this. It’s a great feeling to see these awesome pets find homes. It’s extra special during the holiday."

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