PRESS RELEASES

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Atlantic County Celebrates Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

In October 1995 the Atlantic County Animal Shelter opened its doors to help provide a regional response to the needs of local municipalities by enforcing animal control laws, reuniting lost pets with their owners, treating injured or abandoned animals, educating the public about responsible pet ownership and promoting pet adoptions. The creation of the shelter was formally approved by nearly all of the county’s 23 municipalities.

During the week of November 1-7 it will join in celebrating National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week and remind residents of the important services it provides to the community.

Twelve hundred and three pet adoptions were facilitated by the Atlantic County Animal Shelter in 2008. All of these pets were sterilized, vaccinated and tested for heartworm or feline leukemia (depending on species) prior to leaving the shelter. Additionally, 510 lost pets were reunited with their owners and 140 animals were transferred to area rescue groups.

The Atlantic County Animal Shelter holds free monthly rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats to help prevent the spread of rabies. Rabies is always present in low levels in wildlife in Atlantic County, especially in raccoons and bats. It has also been found in foxes, domestic cats, groundhogs, and other animals. If a human contracts this disease, it is considered one hundred percent fatal if left untreated. Last year 1,350 animals were vaccinated at county clinics.

Responsible pet ownership is encouraged and promoted by the Atlantic County Animal Shelter in community presentations and educational materials. Unsupervised animals whose irresponsible owners allow them to run loose threaten public health and safety. Indiscriminate breeding and pet overpopulation also pose threats.

“The most responsible action a pet owner can take is to spay or neuter their pet so that its potential offspring do not contribute to the population of unwanted animals,” stated Shelter Manager Kathy Kelsey.

According to Kelsey, shelter staff carefully screen all adoption candidates to ensure their ability to properly care for an animal in a safe environment. Every person who adopts a shelter dog receives two free obedience classes for their new pet. These actions help reduce the likelihood of the animal being returned to the shelter or ending up a stray.

The animal shelter also provides K-9 obedience classes and other community outreach programs and emphasizes the importance of including pets in disaster planning and preparations.

The Atlantic County Office of Emergency Preparedness has enhanced its overall emergency plans with the inclusion of the County Animal Response Plan. The Atlantic City Race Course in Hamilton Township has offered its facility during a large scale emergency to house displaced or sheltered animals and support the Atlantic County OEP with personnel and equipment for sheltering operation.

Another community partner, Art Handler’s Appliance Center of Pleasantville, recently presented the Animal Shelter with a $3,000 check to support “the amazing work the shelter does for the animals in our area,” stated owner Scot Sacks. The money was raised through the company’s “Dog Days of Summer” appliance sale in which $10 was donated for every Frigidaire Gallery and GE product sold in August.

The Atlantic County Animal Shelter is located at 240 Old Turnpike Road in Pleasantville. For more information about the shelter and pets available for adoption, please visit the county Web site at www.aclink.org/animalshelter or call the shelter at (609) 485-2345. The shelter is open seven days a week to visitors, 1:00 - 4:00 PM daily, except Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:00 PM.

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