Jersey city animal care & control earns no-kill shelter status for 2025

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Jersey City Animal Care & Control has been officially recognized as a no-kill shelter for 2025 by the Best Friends Animal Society, following a year of marked improvements in animal welfare and shelter operations.

The designation means the shelter saved more than 90% of the dogs and cats in its care, a benchmark set by Best Friends in its annual shelter statistics report. City officials said over 1,000 animals were surrendered by owners since municipal operations took over in January.

“This national recognition is a testament to our team’s compassion and tireless work to protect and advocate for Jersey City’s most vulnerable animals,” said Mayor Steven M. Fulop.

The city’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched the Division of Animal Care and Control in January 2024. Since then, the shelter has increased community engagement, hosted adoption events, and partnered with local rescue groups.

Last year, ACC granted $90,000 to 19 rescue organizations supporting trap-neuter-release (TNR) efforts, and also provided free spay/neuter services, check-ups, and rabies vaccinations. The programs helped reduce feline disease transmission and euthanasia rates in the community cat population.

“In this short amount of time we’ve built a shelter that cares for the present and future of the animals that come to us,” said HHS Director Stacey Flanagan.

Veterans and seniors can adopt fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered animals at no cost, and the shelter frequently offers discounted adoptions to the public.

“With a 92% live animal outcome rate in 2024, we are on track to maintain our life-saving trajectory for a second consecutive year,” said William Byrnes, Division Director of Animal Care & Control.

Byrnes highlighted the case of Garfield, an older pit bull/boxer mix abandoned in a field and adopted after a year at the shelter. His adoption, sparked by a social media post, brought him to a new home in Oregon.

Jersey City officials credit the no-kill milestone to increased public outreach, targeted funding, and a focus on building lasting connections between people and animals.

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