Gloucester County Animal Shelter To Hold Open House Saturday

CLAYTON, NJ — The Gloucester County Animal Shelter will hold its annual Open House on Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., county officials said. The celebration will include a tour of the new 2,400 square foot Animal Control Triage Wing for the public.

Various rescue groups will have information and there will be information about the shelter, adoption, and volunteer opportunities and how to become a foster ‘parent’ to a pet. Veterinarians and vendors will be selling animal related items.

There will be a demonstration by the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit at 1 p.m. There will be a face painter and balloon artist from noon until 3 p.m. There will hot dogs, popcorn and refreshments available. Shayds of Gray will perform from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The traditional pet costume parade will take place at 3 p.m.

“The Gloucester County Animal Shelter has been successful and dedicated in finding thousands of stray and unwanted animals’ permanent loving homes,” Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said. “This year is exciting because we have a new Triage Wing where lost animals and those who have been impounded would be placed, and Community Cat room to help make viewing cats for adoptions easier.”

“This Open House is a wonderful way for people to become acquainted with the shelter and all the great work they do for animals and the community,” Freeholder Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco, liaison to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, said.

Freeholder Dan Christy was liaison to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter when the new Triage Wing construction began.

“The new additions to the Animal Shelter were all made to ensure the best care of the animals and to help make the adoption process smoother on both the animals and those seeking to adopt,” Christy said. “There have been a lot of moving parts, but overall the Triage Wing, ACO offices and Community Cat room will not only keep the shelter in compliance with state regulations, but make the shelter more user friendly.”

There is plenty of free parking and the event is held rain or shine.

In addition to helping animals find their forever homes, Gloucester County Animal Shelter staff and volunteers participate in educational programs with the schools to teach students the importance of animal care, safety and the responsibilities that are associated with being a pet owner, DiMarco said.

The Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 N. Delsea Drive, Clayton. You can see animals that are ready for adoption on Facebook.

For more information on how to donate or become involved in the shelter, call 856-881-2828 or visit http://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/depts/a/shelter/default.asp.