Bloomfield Shelter Takes In 3 Newark Dogs During Time Of Need

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Two down and one to go. That was the good news from the Bloomfield Animal Shelter on Monday as it gave an update about three dogs that recently transferred from a neighboring shelter in Essex County.

Like many other shelters, the Associated Humane Societies in Newark – the largest city in New Jersey – has been struggling with space issues over the past year, repeatedly finding itself at “critical capacity” and unable to accept any more animals.

Dog intakes (either strays or surrenders) at AHS-Newark have increased 48 percent since 2022, staff reported in October. It’s a pattern that other shelters in North Jersey – and nationally – have also been seeing

• See Related: Animal Shelters Are Hitting Their Breaking Point Across North Jersey
• See Related: Newark Shelter Puts Out ‘Hail Mary’ Plea For 3 Dogs Ahead Of Deadline

Despite having run into space issues themselves over the past year, staff at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter couldn’t ignore the struggles of its sister shelter in Newark – and so they “did a thing” earlier this month, accepting three adorable pooches as transfers: Winter, Gracie and Marshall.

The Bloomfield shelter got a social media fist-bump from their peers in Newark, who wrote: “Thanks so much for helping out our shelter! These dogs are so awesome and any family would be lucky to adopt!”

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On Monday, the Bloomfield shelter shared an encouraging (but slightly bittersweet) update: Gracie is the only one of the three who still hasn’t found a home.

“She had two meet and greets with another dog and did great, but unfortunately, the family passed on her,” staff said, describing the 1.5-year-old pooch as “young, fun, wiggly and a total lover.”

The tough-luck dog was originally found as a stray and never reclaimed, staff noted.

Interested in adopting Gracie or any other pet at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter? Learn more here.

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