Expansion Of Humane Society Of Ocean City In The Works

The Humane Society of Ocean City is renovating its Veterinary Center and other features at the no-kill shelter on 1 Shelter Road, Executive Bill Hollingsworth said.

“We listen to our clients and the public’s feedback, and we realize that our services to the community are in demand, so we’ve started a year-long renovation project to accommodate the needs of the community and our shelter resident," he said.

The shelter sees more than 2,000 clients per year and offers comprehensive, affordable veterinary services to the community, including a low cost spay-neuter clinic. The veterinary center opened in 2009 and needs more space and staff.

“We know that this area has been economically challenged since Hurricane Sandy," Hollingsworth said. "We want to ensure this community has affordable vet care without having to wait a long time for an appointment, so we are expanding the veterinary exam rooms and hiring an additional veterinarian to work with Dr. Julie Moberg to accommodate this need.”

Any proceeds from the Veterinary Center will help offset the costs of the Adoption Center. Since the shelter is a no-kill facility, animals placed in the Adoption Center live at the shelter until they are adopted. There is no time limit for animals at the shelter, which had a 95 percent adoption rate in 2016..

The renovation includes new stainless steel cages in the cattery and new dog kennels.

The stainless steel cages will aid in a healthier and less stressful environment for the cats and dogs awaiting adoption. The cattery renovation will also include interactive cat habitats.

“This is an expensive but necessary project for The HSOC,” says Development Director Michelle Chalmers, "But our animals’ health and well-being is our first and foremost priority. We are asking the public to consider sponsoring dog kennels and cat cages to help offset the cost.”

For more information on how to help or make a donation, visit www.hsocnj.org or call 609-398-9500 x 4.