Overfilled NJ Animal Shelter Pleads for Help

The Edison Municipal Animal Shelter says it is absolutely filled to capacity and they're asking for your help.

"If you're thinking about adopting a pet, now's a good time to do it," Geoff Goyette a volunteer at the shelter said.

He says the shelter was simply overwhelmed with animals after an influx of stray dogs were taken in from various townships in the region and five dogs were seized from a home.

"We just got slammed," Goyette said, adding that they took in 14 dogs in four days this week. "I don't think we've ever been this full."

The Middlesex County Animal Rescue team provided temporary relief by letting the shelter use their trailer to provide additional kennels for the animals.

But what the shelter needs are potential adopters, volunteers for the foster program and people willing to share the message to help reunite found dogs with their owners.

The foster program is similar to the adoption process except that the dog stays at the foster home temporarily as the shelter continues to try to place the pet in a permanent home.

Goyette says the foster program is great because it frees up the kennels at the shelter, while providing a nice transition for the dog, who becomes more adoptable after adjusting  to a home-like environment.

Anyone interested in helping can contact Sammy’s Hope by email at info@sammyshope.org. You can download a PDF copy of the application form here or you can see more adoptable dogs from Sammy’s Hope here.

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