As More Animals Are Adopted, the Jersey City Animal Shelter Reaches a No-Kill Milestone

The Jersey City animal shelter has hit a historic milestone by being legally designated as a no-kill facility. This is a big step forward in the city’s goal to provide better care and happier futures for local pets. The city took over running the shelter in early 2024, and since then, the facility has not only changed how it works, but it has also been praised for being one of the best places in New Jersey for caring for animals.

What Jersey City Will Be Like When It’s No-Kill

Going no-kill is a significant step for animal welfare. It signifies the shelter has a live release rate of over 95%, preventing healthy and treatable animals from being euthanized. The city of Jersey City has facilitated over 1,100 adoptions and reunited hundreds of animals with their families.

Mayor Steven Fulop said the adjustment was made to be open, accessible, and improve animal and community outcomes. He said the goal was to save lives and gain the trust of local residents and pet owners.

More Services and a Bigger Impact on the Community

The shelter is now open seven days a week and offers services including dog licensing, regular health tests, and animal control response around the clock. It has also given $90,000 in funding to 19 local rescue groups and built a robust volunteer and foster network with more than 100 members.

One of the shelter’s biggest accomplishments is that it took part in the national “Clear the Shelters” campaign this August, which offered $25 off adoptions all month long. There is also a special adoption event on Newark Avenue where families can meet pets who are ready to be adopted.

Tracy Rowland, who has been a foster and volunteer for a long time, said that the change was life-changing for both the animals and the people who lived there. She said that the shelter’s devoted staff and volunteers have made fostering easier, more organized, and more hopeful for everyone involved.

New Programs for Lasting Change

In addition to adoptions, the shelter has also started smart projects to solve problems that will last a long time. These include a trap-neuter-return program for neighborhood cats, preventative care to cut down on unnecessary euthanasia, and monthly reports to make things more clear. Partnerships with trusted groups have helped rescue animals get second chances even more.

City authorities stressed that the problem of homeless pets is still complicated, but the shelter’s new concept is already working. Jersey City is creating a new standard for municipal animal shelters by combining expert care with significant community involvement.

Looking Forward

Now that the shelter is no longer a kill shelter, it can focus on making its adoption services better, growing its foster network, and lowering the number of pets that are homeless in the city. The momentum has not only altered the lives of animals, but it has also motivated people in the area to help with local rescue initiatives.

The shelter has a lot of dogs and cats who are ready to find loving homes for families looking for a pet. Volunteers and foster parents are also asked to help the city keep up its new level of care.