TOMS RIVER, NJ – False rumors are swirling online regarding the Toms River Animal Shelter. Those rumors claim Mayor Dan Rodrick is closing the shelter. This week, the mayor said, those rumors are simply not true.
“The Toms River Animal Shelter is not closing, those are online rumors people are spreading,” Mayor Rodrick said.
Rodrick said today in the Asbury Park Press that not only is the shelter not closing, it will be open longer for adoptions each day if a resolution supporting the changes is approved by the township council on January 31st.
That resolution calls for the center to expand adoption hours from 1-4 pm daily to include several extended days to allow for adoptions later in the day.
“We want to make sure these animals are adopted and the 1-4 schedule by appointment only needs to be changed,” the mayor said. “People need to be able to come to the shelter after work during the week.”
Rodrick also noted in the Asbury Park Press article that a large endowment by a deceased animal shelter supporter has given the town enough money to fund the shelter for 2024.
“The shelter is not closing,” he reiterated, asking residents to come visit the shelter and to consider adoption when choosing a new pet.
If anything the online rumors have helped the adoption of animals as the center noted an increase in adoptions over the past two weeks. This weekend, a pit bull rescue will be visiting the shelter to possibly take some of the long-term k-9 residents of the shelter in order to place them into homes.
Mayor Rodrick has also approved the hiring of a new part-time shelter kennel aide.