Help This Hudson County Animal Shelter Launch Spay/Neuter Clinic

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — UPDATE: The fundraising event originally slated for Wednesday, March 21 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 11 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Our original article follows below, courtesy of the Liberty Humane Society. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

If you visit any urban animal shelter you will find they share a similar story — the dogs are predominantly pit bulls and other big breeds, some of the hardest to find new homes for. Cities are also home to hundreds of outdoor, or feral, cats; which often live in colonies.

The outcome for these animals is bleak — they are the most at risk of entering the shelter system and the least likely to be adopted. In Hudson County, where 16 percent of households live below the poverty line, many residents simply cannot afford to spay or neuter their animals and there currently is no low-cost spay/neuter clinic to assist these families.

Recognizing this need in the community, local small business owners Jaclyn Fulop and Drew Nussbaum, of Exchange Physical Therapy Group in Jersey City and Weehawken, teamed up with the non-profit Liberty Humane Society to find a solution and help establish the first low-cost spay and neuter program in Jersey City.

“When we learned about this situation and that a solution was within reach, we immediately knew we had to help,” said Jaclyn Fulop, co-owner of Exchange Physical Therapy Group. “We have seen the benefits owning an animal can have, through our therapy dog Chloe, and want to make sure all of Jersey City’s dogs and cats have an opportunity at a good life. That’s what this program will provide.”

To help Liberty Humane Society reach its fundraising goal, Exchange Physical Therapy Group is hosting a fundraiser next week. The initial goal is to raise enough funds for the first year of the program, approximately $25,000, but to also create an ongoing donor base for subsequent years. The public is invited to attend and tickets can be purchased for $25 online by clicking here.

• Date/Time: Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / 7:30-9:30 pm
• Location: Corgi Spirits, 1 Distillery Drive, Jersey City
• Cost: $25 per person / sponsorship opportunities available starting at $500

"We are thrilled to have the support of Exchange Physical Therapy Group and Jaclyn Fulop for this new, life-saving spay/neuter program,” said Irene Borngraeber, Executive Director of Liberty Humane Society. “The lack of affordable spay/neuter surgery in Hudson County has contributed to thousands of accidental litters and unwanted pets entering our shelter system. Making this life-saving procedure both affordable and accessible to pet owners in need is a momentous step towards creating a safer, more humane reality for Jersey City’s pets. We are so grateful for Exchange Physical Therapy Group and Jaclyn's help in expanding these essential services."

For the first year of the program, Liberty Humane Society would be partnering with People For Animals (PFA) in Hillside to bring their mobile spay/neuter RV to the shelter in Jersey City to provide these public services, approximately twice per month (depending on public demand and PFA availability).

Due to capacity and resources, the program is designed initially for large dogs (40+ pounds) and outdoor cats in colonies of 10 or fewer whose owners/caretakers reside in the contracted service areas of Jersey City and Hoboken. Eligible pet owners would pay $10 to spay or neuter their dog or cat.

“We are really excited to work with Liberty Humane Society on this project as we know that it can make an important and lasting impact not only for the animals, but the pet owners as well,” said Jaclyn Fulop. “The community response so far has been tremendous and we look forward to seeing everyone next week and truly appreciate all of the support.”

Send correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos: LHS