COMPANIONpaw printsSpring 2018

CAMDEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER125 County House Rd. Blackwood, NJ 08012

Phone: 856.401.1300 Fax: 856.401.1309 Email: info@ccasnj.org www.ccasnj.org

Mailing Address: PO Box 475 Blackwood, NJ 08012

New Hours of OperationAdoption Center HoursMonday - Closed Tuesday - 11 am-6 pm Wednesday - 11 am-6 pm Thursday - 11 am-6 pm Friday - 11 am-4 pm Saturday - 11 am-4 pm Sunday - 11 am-4 pm

Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic HoursMonday - Closed Tuesday - 9 am-10:30 am Wednesday - Closed Thursday - 9 am-10:30 am Friday - 9 am-10:30 am Saturday - 9 am to 11 am every second and fourth Saturday of the month Sunday - Closed

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Connect with us on Social Mediawww.facebook.com/CamdenCountyAnimalShelterwww.twitter.com/ccasnjwww.instagram.com/ccasnj

New Clinic and Shelter ExpansionThe Camden County Freeholder Board has committed $1 million to the Camden County Animal Shelter for further expansion. This funding will be 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.

“The Camden County Animal Shelter serves thousands of pets and their owners throughout Camden County,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Animal Shelter. “We’re making sure the shelter has the resources it needs 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.”

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The Camden County Animal Shelter serves thousands of pets and

their owners throughout Camden County...We’re

making sure the shelter has the resources it needs 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.

Jonathan Young Freeholder

Camden County Animal Shelter Executive Director (left) with Dr. Joe Filigno, DVM (center) and Freeholder Jonathan Young (right)

PLEDGE-A-PAW DOG WALK: Register Today

Presenting Sponsor: Camden County Board of Freeholders

Register and Start Building Your Team Today!Camden County Animal Shelter’s 5th Annual Pledge-a-Paw Dog Walk and Event, sponsored by the Camden County Board of Freeholders, is going to be here before we know it! We are looking forward to this celebration on Saturday, October 20th, at Camden County College. Please encourage your friends, family members and colleagues to register, join a team or make a general donation today. The events will include a 1 mile Pledge-a-Paw Dog Walk, Police Service K-9 Demonstrations, Doggy Snack Bar, water stops, local animal rescue groups, vendors and exhibitors, a raffle basket auction, live entertainment, food trucks and a wine and beer garden. Sponsorships and Vendor Booths are available at a discounted rate until August 31st, 2018.We are hoping to meet and exceed our fundraising goal of $65,000 which directly benefits the cats and dogs of Camden County Animal Shelter. Register to receive an exclusive event t-shirt, goody bags, prizes for Top Individual and Top Fundraising Teams, a pledge packet, a free personal fundraising page, monthly fundraising tips and event updates! Teams of 10 or more receive free registration! Email Outreach and Development Coordinator, Melissa Meccariello for more information at outreach@ccasnj.org or call (856) 401-1300 ext.117.

5th Annual Dog Walk and Event

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Connect with us on Social Mediawww.facebook.com/CamdenCountyAnimalShelterwww.twitter.com/ccasnjwww.instagram.com/ccasnj

Pet Food Pantry The Animal Alliance of Camden County needs to restock the dog and cat food supply for the Pet Food Pantry; a community pet food assistance program. You can donate wet or dry dog or cat food to Camden County Animal Shelter located at 125 County House Road, Blackwood, NJ or any alliance location. Pet Food Pantry will accept any brand of pet food and are in most need of canned wet food.

The food assistance program has provided 7,500 pounds of cat food and 22,600 pounds of dog food to 5,600 owned pets since the program launched in April 2015. Camden County Pet Food Pantry’s purpose is to keep pets with their families by offering food assistance. Owners surrender pets to local shelters regularly, and financial hardship is a common reason for doing so. The Alliance seeks to help Camden County residents keep pets in their homes by providing nutritional assistance to those in need. The only requirement is a need for assistance in providing food for a pet.

The Animal Alliance of Camden County Shared Services and local welfare agencies in addition to Camden County Animal Shelter include Animal Adoption Center, Voorhees Animal Orphanage, Animal Welfare Association and Independent Animal Care. Alliance members share a common goal of finding homes for unwanted and neglected animals, including efforts to keep owned pets with their families.

Pantry Calendar Saturday, March 10, 2018

11 am - 2 pmSaturday, June 9, 2018

11 am - 2 pmSaturday, September 8, 2018

11 am - 2 pmSaturday, December 8, 2018

11 am - 2 pm

5th Annual Dog Walk and Event

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Highest Save Rate in RegionThe Camden County Animal Shelter has become the only open admission animal shelter in the region to achieve a 91% animal save rate in 2017. Specifically, the save rate was 92% dogs and 91% cats. By comparison, in 2009 the shelter’s save rate was 73% for dogs and 46% for cats.

“This monumental goal is one that everyone involved with the animal shelter have had their sights on for several years, and knew it could be achieved,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Animal Shelter. “I commend the Camden County Animal Shelter, and share in their excitement on reaching this milestone while continuing to improve and enhance the overall complex.”

The goal of achieving a live release rate over 90% is an initiative driven by a collaboration of many leading national animal welfare organizations. The Camden County Animal Shelter partners with national animal welfare agencies to learn best practices and lifesaving programs. Based on the lessons learned, the progressive lifesaving measures the shelter has implemented resulted in a 7% live release increase from 2016 to 2017.

“This record-breaking accomplishment was achieved with continuing support from the Board of Freeholders, Camden County staff, local outreach programs, enhanced community education efforts, and partnerships with rescue organizations,” said Vicki Rowland, Executive Director of the Camden County Animal Shelter. “Our vision is to save even more lives in the coming years and to sustain a more than 90% save rate into the future.”

A total of 1,540 animals were transferred out to other rescue agencies in 2017, an increase of 37% or 417 more lives saved. In addition, the foster care program and our dedicated volunteers increased care capacity to save more lives.

“The significant increase in our ability to save more cats was the result of building relationships with organizations and rescues focused on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs to assist with community cats that entered the

shelter,” Rowland said. “Last year, the Freeholder Board introduced a Community Cat Ordinance to serve as a model for municipalities throughout the county dealing with the challenge of stray and feral cats.”

This ordinance authorizing TNR programs creates a safety net for both the cats and the community. As fewer kittens are born, the community cat population is reduced. It is estimated that there are somewhere between 1.3 and 2 million stray cats in New Jersey. In Camden County, this represents approximately 123,000 cats, almost 25,000 of which are estimated to be considered as stray or feral.

“We are committed to saving all healthy and treatable animals in our care,” Rowland said. “It is our mission to do everything we can for the homeless animals in our community.”

Camden County Animal Shelter receives Proclamation from Freeholder Board

The Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Camden recognized Camden County Animal Shelter as an organization dedicated to saving animal lives with a Proclamation during the last Freeholder Meeting. The Proclamation applauds and urges citizens of the County of Camden to join in congratulating Camden County Animal Shelter.

Camden County Animal Shelter Board of Director Anne Ferara (left), Executive Director Vicki Rowland (center) and Freeholder Jonathan Young (right)

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Connect with us on Social Mediawww.facebook.com/CamdenCountyAnimalShelterwww.twitter.com/ccasnjwww.instagram.com/ccasnj

Volunteer Highlight

Jen “I’m so honored to be a part of this upcoming newsletter. I’ve been thinking what to write for a day and a half now because why volunteer is paragraphs long. First of all, I’m a radiation therapist, which basically means I deliver radiation directly to a patient’s tumor in an effort to either cure them or to palliate their pain helping to relieve symptoms and improve their quality of life.

I started volunteering after getting a pit-bull with my ex and began to learn about the discrimination against these great dogs. Volunteering at Camden County Animal Shelter is my happy place. It has enriched my life because no matter what has happened in my day I know I have the chance to change a dog’s day and let them know how special they are even if it’s only for a few minutes. I love my job, helping patients through some of their most difficult times, but I feel as though they can advocate for themselves & their care unlike the animals who need us to be their voice and that is why I volunteer. It’s not all perfect as some days I experience frustration but I’d like to think it’s because I care (sometimes too much)! Camden County Animal Shelter is truly my happy place and I’m so grateful to be a part of this organization and for all the great friends I’ve met.”

Hazel “I have been working as a dialysis RN for 15 years, in the UK and in more recent years the USA. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing, am a certified nephrology nurse, and have recently started a Master’s in nurse education. Work can be stressful. 15 hour days, weekend shifts and on call. Volunteering at the shelter is very relaxing and therapeutic. Walking dogs gives me such joy and happiness. Seeing their little faces light up when they see the leash coming to the kennel door is so rewarding. Watching them play in the play yard or having a ride out in the car is something I look forward to on a day off.”

The medical profession is going to the dogs. That’s right! At Camden County Animal Shelter, many of our volunteers have careers caring for humans in the medical field in a variety of ways. They come to the shelter on their days off, or before or after their shift. So why do these dedicated folks come here on their ‘off hours’? Amy, who works in a 24/7 emergency and specialty clinic, loves giving the animals special attention they might not otherwise receive. Kristina, a lead medical assistant finds volunteering and walking the dogs a stress reliever. Annette works at an endoscopic center and says that walking the dogs is the best part of her week. They appreciate the small things you do for them, and never complain. Ken, a Psychologist and author, states that he loves taking dogs on long walks and having heartwarming conversations with them in our play yards. Jen, a radiation therapist, considers volunteering at Camden County Animal Shelter her happy place. No matter what has happened in her day, she can change a dog’s day for the better even if it’s only for a few minutes. Kristen, a surgical neurophysiolost, finds volunteering at the shelter during off hours relaxing. The animals may be cooped up but they are always excited to see you and cheer you up on a rough day!

Did we peak your interest in volunteering? Our program begins with a general information meeting discussing our mission and volunteer opportunities. For more information on volunteering please visit www.ccasnj.org.

Annette “I'm a nurse who is working two jobs (at the moment) which makes it difficult to get to the shelter as often as I'd like. I work full time in a neonatal ICU and occasional shifts in an outpatient endoscopy center. Walking the dogs is the best part of my week! They appreciate the small things you do for them, and never complain. I only wish I could come to the shelter more often.”

Kristen “I am a surgical neurophysiologist here at Jefferson Health, Washington Township. I work in the ORs with very random work hours and volunteer at the shelter during my off hours is relaxing. The animals may be cooped up but they are always excited to see you and cheer you up on a rough day!”

Amy “I work at a 24/7 emergency and specialty clinic 40 + hours a week. I love my job but I love volunteering to give the animals some extra special attention that they may not otherwise receive. It's nice to be with different animals and just pet them rather than treat them when they're sick.”

Kristina “I'm lead medical assistant at Virtua Nephrology! We provide outpatient care to patients with kidney disease who often need care pending dialysis or transplants. I volunteer because hanging out with the animals is sort of a stress reliever for me. After a long work week, I look forward to coming and getting love from the cats and dogs as well as giving them all mine! It's always the best part of my weekend. They always make me feel welcome and it's nice when someone gets excited to see you (especially when they're covered in fur and can't talk!).”

For more compelling stories from volunteers in the medical profession please visit our News and Updates Page on our website at www.ccasnj.org.

Medical Professionals