(Camden, NJ) – Today the Freeholder Board announced its commitment of $1 million to the Camden County Animal Shelter (CCAS) in Gloucester Township for further expansion. This funding is being used to upgrade and improve the capacity for the shelter to perform low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and dental work on residents’ cats and dogs. In addition, it will give the facility the ability to perform surgical procedures for rescued cats and dogs.
“Our animal shelter serves thousands of pets and their owners throughout Camden County,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the CCAS. “We’re making sure the shelter has the resources and capacity it needs to keep our pets safe and cared for, and we want to make sure that those animals currently without a home are cared for as well.”
The renovation project will expand the low-cost clinic services and enhance the animal holding space, customer service and daily housekeeping areas. The clinic improvements will include a new surgical suite and prep areas for spay and neuter surgeries for the shelter and public animals. The surgical suite will increase the capacity for public surgeries and the vaccine clinic; it will include new surgical equipment, surgery recovery space, customer lobby and desk, and surgical ventilation systems.
The project is the second phase of a broader improvement plan that started in 2015. That year the shelter opened a new adoption wing where residents could interact with and adopt pets. The new wing made room for an additional 30 dogs and 50 cats.
“Camden County is a very animal friendly place, whether they be pets or animals who currently don’t have a home,” Young said. “The Freeholder Board has had a longstanding commitment to treat animals, owned or homeless, in a humane manner. We believe it is the right thing to do and we want our public policy to mirror these values.”
The latest expansion project began this August, and is expected to be completed by summer 2018.
“We invite everyone to come and visit the dogs and cats waiting for you at the Camden County Animal Shelter,” Young said. “There is a mutual happiness derived from these encounters that leaves the animals and our visitors happier and more fulfilled.”
For more information on the shelter, call (856) 401-1300 or visit www.ccasnj.org.