Trenton Animal Shelter Is Overcrowded. Mayor Makes Appeal For Adoption, Fostering

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Trenton's Animal Shelter is currently overcrowded. And Mayor Reed Gusciora is asking residents to consider fostering or adopting a dog.

The animal shelter currently has 20 kennels and is housing over 150 dogs in a facility built for a fraction of that number. The shelter is struggling to accommodate the daily influx of animals — some strays, some left due to economic hardships and other issues.

The Mayor said he takes full responsibility for addressing the issue which has been in focus for some time now.

“To handle this surge, we’ve had to contract with a kennel in Bucks County, at significant cost. For every dog we adopt out, another takes its place. To further alleviate this issue, we purchased a shuttered kennel in Columbus, which is now undergoing renovations to meet safety standards and provide space for the influx of dogs—some of whom may not be suitable as household pets. Some dogs have been in the shelter for more than eight months, which is a cruel situation in and of itself,” Gusciora said.

For several years, the shelter was run by the rescue group Trenton Animal Rocks. The City Council did not renew the group’s contract in 2022, and the city took over operations by changing the locks on the shelter.

Gusciora said that when he became Mayor, he recognized the Shelter’s severe shortcomings and set out to address them.

“In September 2021, I proposed using $4 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to rebuild the shelter and create a more humane environment for the animals. Unfortunately, this proposal was met with opposition from the previous City Council, and we were unable to secure the necessary funding. Had the investment been approved, we could have begun the critical work of creating a shelter that meets the demands of today’s animal population,” Gusciora said.

“Another proposal was to have an animal welfare non-profit take over shelter operations, with support from our Animal Control Officers. While the partnership began positively, the previous Council’s failure to honor bills—including those for veterinary care—soon caused the program to unravel. When we sought to renew the contract, the prior Council rejected it, causing the organization to cease operations overnight. The proposal was redrafted in recent years, but unfortunately, we’ve had no takers.”

In April 2024, Gusciora signed an executive order, bringing the animal shelter under the control of Trenton Police.

An Animal Shelter Advisory Board was formed, that ensured the City was in compliance with rabies control regulations. However, only two community members volunteered to join the board.

"We are grateful for the volunteers who have stepped in to create a foster care system. If more residents wish to help, we can assist with food and veterinary care. We’re especially grateful to Trenton Cats Rescue for their dedicated work in reducing the number of stray cats. But it’s the dogs—many of which are difficult to adopt due to breed—that remain a challenge,” Gusciora said.

The City’s ordinances prevent “backyard” breeding and animal cruelty, but with limited animal control resources, Trenton needs more personnel to enforce them effectively.

Gusciora is asking the public to report suspected violations so officials can address them on a case-by-case basis.

The Mayor has urged the community to come forward to adopt or foster the dogs currently in the shelter.

“While the challenges are immense, we must continue to work together. I call on our residents to consider fostering or adopting, or to make contributions to help fund necessary improvements,” Gusciora said.

“Change is not easy or fast, but with collective effort and sustained resources, we can ensure a better future for Trenton’s animals. We will not give up on our commitment to creating a humane, effective shelter system—but we need your support to make it happen.”

For more information, visit the shelter's website.

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