Free Pet Adoptions at Both Ocean County Animal Shelters this Week

A forever home.

Finding a permanent loving home for the dogs and cats that end up at the two Ocean County Health Department's animal shelters has always been the primary goal.

But this week, both the Manahawkin and Jackson facilities have waived the adoption fees for senior dogs and cats, and animals who have been at the facilities since 2010.

“The Ocean County Health Department’s two animal shelters are consistently at full capacity with unwanted pets that are in desperate need of a forever home, county Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye said. "So if you are looking for love, then look no further than the Ocean County Animal Facilities this Valentine’s Day.”

What constitutes a senior pet? Generally a cat or dog over six years of age, said Brian Lippai, who manages both shelters for the health department.

"A lot of the animals we have had before Christmas that we would like to move out and find permanent loving homes for," Lippai said.  "A lot of the animals come in as strays. Sometimes we don't even know the age of the animal."

The faltering economy has also resulted in pet owners who can no longer afford their pets surrendering them to the shelters, he said.

"A lot of folks are surrendering their pets," Lippai said. "We are getting a high quality of animals that unfortunately just need homes."

All of the animals available for adoption have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. Anyone who adopts an animal this week will receive a free adoption starter kit, with food, treats and toys, courtesy of the shelter volunteers.

The fees - $60 for a dog, $55 for a cat - will be waived through Feb. 20.

Fortunately, the days when an adoptable animal bought to the shelters had a very short shelf life are gone. Lippai credits volunteer and rescue groups for that. Some take in animals on a foster basis, or try and find homes for the pets that have been at the shelter for more than four months, Lippai said.

"It really has changed," he said.

More than 1,700 animals were placed in new homes through the efforts of the shelter staffs and the many shelter volunteers in 2010, said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the health department.

 “I want to extend my appreciation to all the people who lend a helping hand at the shelters, whether walking the dogs or providing foster care,” Little said. “The animals are well taken care of and loved during their stay. We are hopeful our residents will find it in their hearts to open up their homes to these abandoned animals.”

The Northern Ocean County Animal Facility is located at 615 Freemont Ave., Jackson Township and the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility is located at 360 Haywood Road, Manahawkin.  Adoption hours are 1 to 4 p.m. daily and 1 until 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.  For more information about this special adoption event, call the Jackson shelter at 732-657-8086 or the Manahawkin shelter at 609-978-0127.