Feline Groovy At The Parsippany Animal Shelter

Press release from The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills:

June 25, 2021

“They're all so cute!” Says a resident peeking into a large metal enclosure, as a quartet of newborn kittens sings back in high-pitched squeaks. “How do you choose?”

The pens inside the feline trailer at the Parsippany Animal Control and Shelter aren’t filled, but they can be at a moment’s notice.

“[Adoption and Rescue] comes in waves,” said Animal Control Officer Heidi Mooney. “We had 11 kittens just get adopted, and we keep getting applications, so hopefully the adoptions continue.”

The Animal Shelter currently has 3 cats and 14 kittens available for adoption. Ranging from black, white, orange, tabby, tortoise shell, and more.

“We schedule kitten adoption visits every half hour,” said Kaitlin Kopshaw, Assistant Animal Control Officer. “We try to keep them separated and socially distant for now.”

Animal Control has been taking advantage of the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release program (TNVR) for all animals that come through their doors. This is an important way to keep the population of feral animals in the township in check.

There is a considerable population of stray cats in Parsippany, as some people feed them, some scavenge freely throughout town, some have caretakers. Animal control gets every stray spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. Friendly cats and kittens are put up for adoption to get them off the streets, while others are released.

“This is a long-term solution,” said Kopshaw. “The population will decrease over time. The cats are vaccinated for public health and safety, and can also decrease a lot of problems in the community.”

Started as a Soriano initiative, the TNVR program began in March 2019 thanks to a grant. To date, 376 cats have been a part of the TNVR program, reducing the population while keeping felines and the community safe.

“The cats are spayed or neutered already, they’ve been de-wormed, and depending on their ages, they’ve had at least their first round of distemper and rabies vaccines if they’re old enough. They get their first set of everything,” said Kopshaw. “If people adopt, it’s a $70 fee for our kittens, which includes a lot. That’s basically the fee to get into a vet’s office, let alone getting a happy healthy kitten of your own.”

The Parsippany Animal Shelter is open Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on the weekends 9:00 am to 12:00 pm for walk-ins. You can save time in the adoption process by filling out an adoption application online by going to http://parpolice.com/aco/animaladoptionfrm.aspx, and the animal shelter team will work with you to schedule appointments to see their adoptable animals.

For more information, contact the Animal Control and Animal Shelter at 973-263-7083.

This press release was produced by The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. The views expressed here are the author's own.