TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Animal Shelter, currently operating at full capacity, has initiated significant changes to promote animal adoptions. Many of the shelter’s animals have been residents for over a year, prompting urgent action from the town council Thursday night.
Mayor Dan Rodrick announced the shelter would immediately halt adoption fees. All adoptions will be free once an ordinance introduced last night is signed into law after the next council meeting.
“The shelter is currently at full capacity, with many animals having been with us for over a year. Tonight, we have begun the process of eliminating all adoption fees at the shelter,” Mayor Rodrick said. “If legally feasible, I will sign an executive order tomorrow to cease fee collection immediately. We are also working to adjust our schedule, allowing us to stay open in the evenings until 7:00 PM on select nights and to open on weekends as well. Our goal is to place every eligible animal in a loving home.”
The council approved the first reading of the ordinance unanimously.
This move aims to make it easier for potential adopters to welcome a new pet into their homes.
Since taking office on January 1st, Rodrick made it a priority to push animal adoptions and announced today the efforts have been successful and there has been an increase in adoptions.
The shelter’s primary objective is to find a loving home for every eligible animal. To achieve this, Rodrick also requested the assistance of local media. He urged members of the press to cover this story and feature the animals in need of homes.
Councilman David Ciccozzi asked township Attorney Anthony Merlino if the shelter could be closed in the future. Merlino said there are no plans to close the shelter and that the mayor and council would have to make that decision.
Through an aggressive public information campaign, the township has adopted out more than half of the animals that were in the shelter when the new mayor took office.
You can see the remaining adoptable animals in the shelter here.
You can schedule an appointment to adopt here.