Animal Welfare Group Sets Up Shop In Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - NJ STRAYS, Inc., 501c3 non-profit bilingual animal welfare organization serving Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Sussex, Morris, Essex, and Union county, has opened its first headquarters, located at 2202 Millburn Ave.

“We’ve operated out of our homes and offices for a few years, hosting supplies and equipment wherever we could find space,” said NJ STRAYS Founder and Executive Director Adriana Bradley. “The time had come to have a space to work, to host events and workshops, to store and distribute supplies such as pet food, and to meet with our team, our partners and our sponsors.

The headquarters will serve as a resource for pet owners in Northern New Jersey, operating as a pet food pantry and physical point of contact for individuals in need of services.

“This is a bold, exciting step for us,” Bradley said. “We’ve been working for six years, helping thousands of pets and families - but this is the first time we’ve had a permanent address.”

Since 2012, the group has worked to reduce shelter intake and decrease euthanasia among animals at shelters in North Jersey. Through programs like the Lost and Found Pets of North Jersey, Owner Surrender Prevention, and Barn and Outdoor Cat Relocation, NJ STRAYS helps prevent family pets and strays from entering the animal shelter system.

In 2019, NJ STRAYS plans to increase its efforts in key animal welfare areas: recruiting more community partners to host more education events and microchip clinics, and beefing up its Owner Surrender Prevention reach. Having a static headquarters will help the organization connect more easily with pet owners and community partners, Bradley said.

Since their inception the group says they have assisted in 1,064 pet recoveries, microchipped 156 pets, relocated 196 cats and helped 67 families.

They can be reached at 973-324-7925 or at contact@njstrays.org.

For information, visit njstrays.org.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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