Somerset Shelter Offers Adoptions After Coronavirus Shutdown

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — After being forced to close due to the coronavirus, the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter has reopened and is now offering fostering and adoptions by appointment only to help bring revenue in.

The shelter, which runs on donations, was forced to close when the coronavirus pandemic broke out. Read More: Somerset Shelter Struggles To Survive Amid Coronavirus Closure

Now SRAS Manager Brian Bradshaw says they are finding new and safe ways to get the 40 cats and dogs adopted.

"We are encouraging people to look at our Petfinder page or website, fill out an adoption form and call us to talk about the animal," Bradshaw said.

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An appointment is set up to meet the pet outside the shelter at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater. There is no contact and shelter volunteers use masks and gloves. Those interested in a cat can take the cat home for a week to get to know their personality before making a decision for adoption.

Dogs are also brought outside on a leash for those interested to take for a walk and spend time with.

"This is helping to get the animals out of the shelter that have been waiting," Bradshaw said. "It gives people the opportunity to spend time with the cats. So far the the foster to adopt has been pretty good. If it doesn’t work out for a family we will take back the animals."

Right now Bradshaw said the shelter has a hold on taking in any more animals during this time to give the animals at the shelter a chance to be adopted.

Currently the shelter has 30 cats and 10 dogs up for adoption. To see the animals up for adoption or to fill out a pre-adoption form visit srasnj.org/adoptions.

Bradshaw added that with the quarantine it is a great time to adopt.

"People have more time to take the animals in... and the animals would love more attention as we can not have as many volunteers inside," Bradshaw said.

The public has been supportive by purchasing items needed off the shelter’s Amazon wish list here.

If you can’t adopt and want to make a monetary donation or to see the shelter's wish list visit srasnj.org/donate.

• Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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