The Burlington County Animal Shelter will be transformed into a tropical “Pawradise” next weekend for a special end-of-summer open house to help find loving forever homes for some of the shelter’s dogs and cats.
This year’s Clear the Shelter Open House will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, from noon to 4 PM at the Burlington County Animal Shelter, 35 Academy Drive, Westampton. During the event, visitors will be able to meet and interact with the dogs and cats and learn more about them from the shelter’s staff and volunteers.
Kona Ice will be available for visitors, along with “pup-aritas” for the dogs. There will also be kids activities, information tables, music and more.
All animal adoption fees are also being waived for the event.
“Burlington County families have opened their hearts and provided homes for hundreds of dogs and cats in need, but for every animal adopted out, there’s more coming in,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell. “We want to help all adoptable animals to find their forever homes and events like the Clear the Shelter Open House have proven to be a great way to connect families to a loving dog or cat. This is a great event and we want to thank our shelter staff and Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter for organizing it.”
The open house is being organized by the County in partnership with Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter to raise awareness about the shelter’s mission and to connect adoptable pets with new loving families.
Among the animals that visitors will get a chance to meet at the open house is Rebel, a pit bull terrier mix who was surrendered to the shelter last year after his previous owner experienced life changes at home. Shelter staff and volunteers describe him as a sweet boy who walks well on a leash, knows basic commands and loves to cuddle.
The shelter’s cats include Rayan, a 5-year-old domestic shorthair who was surrendered after his owner became ill. He’s behaved well with other felines in the shelter’s cat room but is still waiting to join a family of his own.
Residents can learn more about Rebel, Ryan and the dozens of other available pets at the shelter online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1446/Available-for-Adoption .
Fosters are also needed, and fostering is a great option for individuals or families who aren’t sure they are ready to adopt. Learn more about the shelter’s foster program and other volunteer opportunities at the open house.
Animal lovers can volunteer their time to help with shelter tasks, make financial donations or gift the shelter needed supplies. For more information, including a wish list of items, visit https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1290/Donation-Wish-List .
“Thanks to the shelter staff and volunteers, more than 1,125 dogs and cats have been adopted from the shelter so far this year,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “Each adoption is a victory, but we want to do everything we can to help them all find forever homes.”