MANAHAWKIN – The barking inside the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility could be heard before the doors opened. Outside, families waited in the heat, some talking about kittens and others naming the dogs they had already picked out online.
This was not a crowd that had come merely to look. Several people had visited the day before and returned with their sights set on a particular animal. Since Ocean County handles adoptions on a first-come, first-served basis and does not place holds on pets, being first in line could mean the difference between leaving with a leash in hand or learning that someone else had already claimed the same furry face.
Patty Clancy of Forked River arrived with her 15-year-old granddaughter, Riley, who was hoping to adopt a kitten. They chose Sheldon, a shelter favorite with a mind of his own and enough catitude to let people know when he had received all the attention she wanted.
Tracy and Keith Marina of Manahawkin had found Princess online and arrived with friend Kayla Martins of Toms River for support. Princess, a roughly 1-year-old pit bull weighing 62 pounds, began wagging her tail to show off for her prospective owners.
Staff members said Princess had made considerable progress since arriving at the facility. She had recently learned the fun of squeaky toys and would carry one over when she wanted someone to play. By the end of the meeting, she appeared to have passed the introductions “with flying colors.”
The hopeful matches unfolded during Ocean County’s annual Clear the Shelters campaign, a month-long effort to move cats and dogs out of county kennels and into permanent homes. Both the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility in Manahawkin and the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility in Jackson participated.
The campaign began August 1 and concluded with a half-price adoption weekend August 29 and 30. Ocean County set a goal of placing 150 cats and dogs during August, and shortly before the weekend, more than 110 animals had already found homes. More than a dozen went to new families during the special event.
Each of the adoptees had been spayed or neutered, microchipped, examined by the shelter veterinarian and given age-appropriate vaccinations. Animals adopted during the campaign also went home with a complimentary bag of treats, toys and other supplies.
Kittens Visit County Government
The Clear the Shelters campaign received some additional publicity during the August 19 meeting of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Shelter representatives arrived with several kittens available for adoption, including Fluffernutter, Evan, Aiden and Chris.
The kittens quickly became the center of attention as they were passed into the arms of county officials for photographs. Deputy Director Jennifier Bacchione, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health, announced the half-price weekend and said she hoped the “cute little critters” would steal some hearts and find homes. The kittens did their part by peeking over shoulders and settling into the arms of anyone willing to hold them.
Daniel Regenye, the county’s public health coordinator, noted that many counties do not operate even one animal shelter. Ocean County maintains two facilities, which he credited to the commissioners’ long-term support.
“We have a phenomenal inventory of cats and dogs, many kittens, many puppies as well,” Regenye said. “It’s a very rewarding experience.”
County Shelters Take In More Animals
Even as animals left through the front doors with their new owners, more continued to arrive through the county shelter system. At the beginning of Sunday’s event, the two facilities were caring for approximately 151 animals, with 71 housed in Jackson and 80 in Manahawkin, according to shelter manager Mary McCallum.
Cats made up the larger share of the population. Inside the Manahawkin facility, rows of whiskered faces watched visitors from the adoptable cat room, while barking dogs hurried to the front of their runs whenever someone walked through the kennel area.
Some animals were ready to go home that day, while others were still being treated, evaluated or waiting for surgery. In the veterinary area, a mother cat was curled inside a cage with her two kittens. Nearby, other kittens watched through cage doors as they waited to become large enough to be spayed or neutered and cleared for adoption.
McCallum said the county does not euthanize animals to create space in its cages or kennels. Staff members work with rescue organizations when an animal cannot immediately be placed, while euthanasia is generally limited to serious medical conditions that cannot be treated or behavioral problems that make an animal unsafe to rehome.
After 28 years at the shelter, McCallum acknowledged that staff members sometimes become attached to particular animals. Her latest favorite was just adopted, which meant one less cat in the shelter and a new opening for another animal to win her over.
Preparing To Adopt
The Ocean County Health Department encourages prospective adopters to look at available pets in advance while remembering that adoption is a long-term commitment. A wagging tail, an outstretched paw or a kitten rubbing against the cage may make the first impression, but shelter workers also help families consider an animal’s age, size, energy level and temperament.
Both county facilities are open from 1 to 4 p.m. seven days a week, except holidays. Cats and dogs currently available can be viewed on the Ocean County Health Department’s animal adoption page.
Everyone living in the household must meet the animal before an adoption is approved. Anyone adopting a dog must also bring the dogs already living in the home so shelter staff can observe how the animals interact.
Applicants need a driver’s license or other valid identification along with proof of residence. Homeowners may bring a mortgage statement or tax bill, while renters must provide a lease showing that pets are permitted and listing any restrictions involving breeds or the number of animals allowed.
Prospective adopters must complete a questionnaire and receive approval from facility management. Payment must be made in exact cash or by check bearing the same address shown on the adopter’s identification.
The Northern Ocean County Animal Facility is located at 615 Freemont Avenue in Jackson and can be reached at 732-657-8086. The Southern Ocean County Animal Facility is located at 360 Haywood Road in Manahawkin and can be reached at 609-978-0127.
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