ANIMALS

Bridgewater celebrates revitalization of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter

Mike Deak
Courier News and Home News Tribune
Tim Pino, a member of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter's board, holds a puppy that the shelter recently received from Puerto Rico.

BRIDGEWATER - A few years ago, the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter was "dangerously close" to shutting its doors.

The shelter was on shaky financial grounds after Somerville decided to switch its animal control services to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center and Bridgewater was taking a close look at its own contract with the animal shelter.

If Bridgewater had decided to end the contract, the shelter, whose home is on municipal property next to police headquarters, would have come perilously near to closing.

But hundreds of residents, armed with a petition with more than 7,000 signatures,  came to township council meetings to show their support for the shelter. Bridgewater decided to stay with the shelter.

Marcello is one of the dogs from Puerto Rico available for adoption at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.

In recent years, buoyed by a loyal and hard-working corps of volunteers and staffers dedicated to saving animals' lives, the shelter has staged a dramatic comeback, finding new homes for a record number of animals and enjoying financial stability thanks to more than $1 million raised by the Friends of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.

Three years ago the shelter found new homes for 250 animals, Brian Bradshaw, the shelter's manager said Thursday at a Township Council reception honoring the shelter.

Last year, the shelter had 850 adoptions and this year is shelter is 110 over last year's total at this time. The goal, Bradshaw said, is 1,000 adoptions.

After welcoming animals from shelters in Texas and Florida after hurricanes Harvey and Irma and finding them new homes, the shelter has taken in 18 dogs from Puerto Rico, ravaged by Hurricane Maria, including one puppy that has only three paws.

"It's all about saving a life," Bradshaw said.

READ: Hurricane Harvey dogs arrive at Bridgewater shelter

READ: Two dozen cats recovered from Bridgewater apartment

PHOTOS: Senior dogs look for forever homes at Somerset Regional

Congratulating the shelter's "strong leadership" and the endless efforts of volunteers, Councilwoman Christine Rose said "we're very excited we didn't close the shelter."

"The shelter has come a long way," said Rose, who championed the shelter on the council.

"The leadership of the shelter has done a great job," Mayor Dan Hayes said.

"The shelter is a special place," Councilman Matt Moench said. "It is a real important part of the Bridgewater community."

Manville Mayor Richard Onderko said he remains committed to maintaining the borough's relationship with the shelter.

Onderko said the shelter personally helped him after his wife discovered a ferret under her car in their garage. The shelter took the animal which was reunited with its owner after the mayor saw a poster for a missing ferret at Quick Chek.

Summer is one of the dogs recently arrived from Purto Rico who are available for adoption at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.

The shelter has four full-time workers and six part-time workers. But there is still a need for more volunteers, Bradshaw said. The influx of animals from hurricane-affected areas has put an added burden on the shelter.

"We willing to overwork to save the animals," Bradshaw said. "I'm just so proud of everybody."

To raise funds for the shelter, the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter will conduct the Heart and Sole 5K Run/Walk at Duke Island Park on Sunday, Oct. 15. The run starts at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

Participants will receive free T-shirts and doggy goodie bags will be given away while supplies last. The top fundraiser will receive a $250 prize.

And dogs can take part in the walk.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com