Edison Animal Shelter Overcrowded With Pets Abandoned During Pandemic

EDISON, NJ – The Edison Animal Shelter is currently overcrowded with animals that were abandoned during the pandemic, officials said

Officials are currently looking for temporary homes for these pets, until a permanent home could be found.

"Unfortunately, many owners of these pandemic-born animals made the highly irresponsible decision to not spay or neuter their pets. As a result, we are seeing pregnant cats and dogs being surrendered to the shelter at an unprecedented level,” Township officials said.

As a result, the shelter currently has entire litters of puppies and kittens requiring a home and adoption.

“Our facility was never meant to house this volume of pregnant animals, including providing medical care for them throughout pregnancy and attending to the crucial needs that the newborn puppies and kittens require,” officials said.

The shelter is nearing capacity and has dogs and cats of all ages, from puppies and kittens to seniors, in all sizes and breeds. Many of the animals are already housebroken and trained.

During Monday’s Council work session, councilmembers Richard Brescher and Margot Harris addressed issues about the shelter.

Local social media posts contain allegations that the shelter is unclean and lacking supplies. Harris then made an unannounced visit to the shelter and was given a tour by the manager.

As a dog owner for 44 years, Harris said the allegations disturbed her. But she found the shelter clean and well-stocked.

“I was very impressed and relieved with condition of the shelter. The shelter was clean, they are absolutely overrun with pets right now,” Harris said.

The Council Vice President noted that the shelter currently has 86 cats, 23 dogs and nine huskies from a hoarding situation in Piscataway. One of the huskies is currently pregnant.

The puppies were adopted but there are still four huskies left – a female and three males.

“They are bursting at the seams, there’s no question about it,” Harris said.

Brescher said he heard the manager did not have a license, but Harris confirmed that the manager and Animal Control Officers were all licensed.

The Edison Animal Shelter serves the township, Metuchen, Piscataway, Dunellen and Highland Park. Residents who wish to foster the animals or know someone who is looking to give homeless pets a second chance, can contact the Edison Animal Shelter. To learn more, call (732) 248-7278 or visit https://edisonnj.gov/departments/animal_shelter/index.php.

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