Lacey Shelter Finds Abandoned Gerbil In ‘Filthy’ Cage In Barnegat

BARNEGAT, NJ — Lacey's Popcorn Park Shelter is seeking information about a gerbil that was abandoned in a “horrendously filthy” cage in Barnegat.

The shelter's staff found Curly on Friday behind the Barnegat Motel on Old Main Shore Road as rain fell and thunder rolled throughout the day.

Popcorn Park Shelter is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for “cruelly abandoning” Curly.

“What goes through someone's mind when they do such a thing? Did they expect Curly to escape and if that was even possible, what would become of him?” the shelter said in a news release. “A gerbil is not equipped to live outdoors in the wild. Surely he would have been snatched up by a predator quickly or died an otherwise painful death. He may be tiny, but his life still matters.”

Anyone with information can contact the shelter at 609-693-1900 or email office@ahsppz.org.

“We know it's a long-shot, but this little guy deserves it. He is a sweet little gerbil that is happy to be safe and sound now, and well cared for,” the shelter said.

Curly will eventually be available for adoption.

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