Jersey City Launches City-Run Animal Control and Sheltering, Expanding Services & Adoption Opportunities

Valentine’s Event Makes Love Connections for Residents & Stray or Abandoned Animals in Need

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Mayor Steven M. Fulop joins the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and community members to celebrate the successful transition to full-service Animal Care and Control now run by the City of Jersey City to ensure humane treatment and enforcement for animals in need by establishing 24/7 operations, on-site dog licensing with adoptions, expanding operating hours for more public access, and working with the community to create a robust volunteer program.

“This changeover was a tall order in a short amount of time, and we did better than anyone could have imagined, thanks to Director Flanagan and her HHS team,” said Mayor Fulop, a staunch advocate for animal rights and treatment.  “By bringing these services in-house, we can have longer operating hours to encourage more adoptions and on-the-spot dog licensing, among other improvements, to ensure all animals and pet owners get the quality, compassionate care they deserve.”

On January 1, 2024, the administration took over animal care and control services and management of shelter operations.

“The first month has been very successful, with numerous adoptions and lost pets reunited with families.  Our team is working hard to transition animal control services to in-house and train new and existing employees as we prioritize our community’s public health and safety,” said HHS Director Stacey Flanagan.

In the first six weeks, the successful transition has resulted in:

Animal Care

• 48 dogs (15 surrendered)
• 39 cats
• 7 adoptions
• 100 animals Spayed/neutered
• 7 dogs safely reunited with families

Animal Control

• 25 Summonses Issues
• 63 Complaints
• 17 Abandoned Animals
• 39 Request for Wellness Check

In addition to the expanded services, the city is excited to launch a vibrant volunteer program, working closely with the community to support quality animal care and fostering.  The volunteer program will provide an opportunity for animal lovers to give back to their community by helping with tasks such as walking dogs, socializing cats, and assisting with adoption events.

The new Division of Animal Care and Control is also working towards establishing an animal food shelter to proactively decrease the number of beloved pets surrendered due to care costs.

Five employees with experience in Animal Control transitioned back into the new Animal Care and Control Division, and 16 additional staff members have been hired so far to support both animal control and animal care functions daily.

The city has increased animal control services to seven days a week.  Animal care efforts are run through the Jersey City shelter, which operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Applications for the volunteer program can be found here.  Fostering and adoption applications are also available online at jcnj.org/adopt.  All donation interests can be sent to Animals@jcnj.org.