Camden County Embarks on $1.5 Million Animal Shelter Expansion Project

The Camden County Animal Shelter is about to experience a big transformation.

The County is undertaking a $1.5 million expansion project for the shelter, located at 125 County House Road in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township.

“Camden County is a very animal friendly place. According to the last Census, as many as 70 percent of our households include either a dog or a cat,” Freeholder Michelle Gentek to the Camden County Animal Shelter, said. “The Camden County Freeholder Board has made a commitment to treat homeless animals in a humane manner because we believe it is the right thing to do.”

A new adoption wing will be added to the shelter. This will serve as the shelter’s public side.

Upon completion, the facility will have a dedicated area where residents can interact and adopt pets.

The project is projected to last about nine months.

“The improvements to the Animal Shelter will house an additional 30 dogs, and add a fourth dog run,” Gentek said. “The plans also include room for an additional 50 cats.”

The Freeholder Board has taken a holistic approach to animal management that includes the coordination of the Camden County Animal Alliance, a network of animal shelters located within the county working together to reduce the total animal population.

They encourage the adoption of a “regional” standard municipal ordinance for animal management that embraces trap/neuter/release, a humane effort to stabilize the feral cat population.

The goal is to lower the number of stray cats, as well as nimal control costs and intake at shelters.
“The Camden County Animal Alliance has received national attention for developing a comprehensive approach to restructure animal control on a county-wide level. This is the first time municipalities, the animal welfare community and the county, through the Division of Shared Service, have all come together to formulate a proactive approach to the problem of feral, abandoned and orphaned animals,” Gentek said. “The county will continue to provide its guidance and support for this initiative, and will assist in circulating information to municipalities and pet owners on how we all can support this effort.”

The attached image is a Patch file photo.