The Gloucester County Animal Shelter (GCAS) will hold their annual Open House on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration will include refreshments, music, face painting and a balloon artist for the kids. The public can also view the new 2,400 square foot Animal Control Triage Wing during the Open House.
Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said, “the Gloucester County Animal Shelter has been successful and dedicated in finding thousands of stray and unwanted animals’ permanent loving homes. This year is exciting because we have a new Triage Wing where lost animals and those who have been impounded would be placed, and Community Cat room to help make viewing cats for adoptions easier.”
Freeholder Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco, liaison to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, said, “this open house is a wonderful way for people to become acquainted with the shelter and all the great work they do for animals and the community.”
DiMarco said that the Gloucester County Animal Shelter helps find forever homes for animals, and the Shelter staff and volunteers also participate in educational programs with the schools to teach students the importance of animal care, safety and the responsibilities that are associated with being a pet owner.
Freeholder Dan Christy, who was liaison to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter when the new Triage Wing construction began, said, “the new additions to the Animal Shelter were all made to ensure the best care of the animals and to help make the adoption process smoother on both the animals and those seeking to adopt. There have been a lot of moving parts, but overall the Triage Wing, ACO offices and Community Cat room will not only keep the shelter in compliance with state regulations, but make the shelter more user friendly.”
Various rescue groups will have information and there will be information about the shelter, adoption, and volunteer opportunities and how to become a foster ‘parent’ to a pet. Veterinarians and vendors will be selling animal related items. The Gloucester County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit will be doing a demonstration at 1 p.m. There will be a face painter and balloon artist from noon until 3 p.m., and there will be hot dogs, popcorn and refreshments available. A live performance by Shayds of Gray will take place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The traditional pet costume parade will take place at 3 p.m.
There is plenty of free parking and the event is held rain or shine.
The Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 N. Delsea Drive, Clayton. You can see animals that are ready for adoption on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GloucesterCountyAnimalShelter or for more information call (856) 881-2828 or visit http://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/depts/a/shelter/default.asp.
Donations are always accepted by the Gloucester County Animal Shelter. Visit the website to learn of the many opportunities to be involved.
