Homeward Bound Takes In Dogs Displaced By Hurricane Dorian

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center is taking in five dogs who have been displaced by Hurricane Dorian, Camden County officials announced on Friday.

The dogs will be coming in from Delaware, where 350 pets from coastal evacuation areas of the Carolinas have already arrived, with more en route, according to officials. After a thorough medical assessment, these dogs will be made available for adoption.

“Storms like Hurricane Dorian can have a catastrophic effect on pets and animals, causing a crisis for overcrowded shelters, and makes it impossible for local shelters to handle the load alone,” Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to Homeward Bound, said. “We’re fortunate to have the resources to open our arms to some of these animals and to offer them the medical assistance they need before we can find them a new forever home with a loving family in our region.”

All the dogs welcomed to the shelter this week were already up for adoption in their home state but had to be moved to make room for pets and animals rescued in the wake of the destructive storm, according to officials. Once safe in the shelter, they’ll be ready to find new forever homes here in New Jersey.

Homeward Bound is also accepting donations to help displaced animals in crisis on its website, in person at the shelter, and over the phone by calling 856-401-1300. The center is located at 125 County House Road in Gloucester Township.

The center has a history of helping pets displaced by natural disasters. In 2017, when it was known as the Camden County Animal Shelter, Homeward Bound accepted five dogs from both Florida and Texas after Hurricanes Irma and Harvey put additional pressure on already overcrowded shelters.

Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center is the largest open admission shelter in the region, serving more than 5,000 abused, homeless and neglected animals annually. It offers low cost vaccinations for owned pets, spay/neuter surgeries for community cats, and works with local county officials to ensure the health and safety of homeless and feral companion animals.