Currently, the Division of Animal Care and Control is open between 7AM-7PM Monday-Saturday, and 8AM-4PM on Sunday. We are closed to the public on City Holidays. Appointments are strongly encourage to insure that our staff can be best prepared to meet your needs.
Animal Control and the Animal Shelter work together to help our residents solve animal-related problems.
Animal Control responds to calls in the community: found or lost pets, dogs running at large without an owner, sick or injured animals where the owner is not known, and animal safety and nuisance issues generally. Animal Control is staffed 24x7. From 10pm-7am and on City holidays, only emergency calls are dispatched.
The Jersey City Animal Shelter provides humane care for stray and abandoned animals and helps them find a permanent home. The Shelter is located at 235 Jersey City Blvd. (across from Liberty Science Center).
We love and welcome volunteers! Volunteers help us to assure good outcomes for the animals in our care. If you would like to foster an animal in your home, provide enrichment and socialization to animals in the shelter, or assist in some other way, please feel out this brief VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM and we will contact you within a few days.
NJ law requires a license for all dogs 6 months or older, and dogs must wear their license tag when in public. You can license your Jersey City dog at the Shelter during public hours or online. To apply online or download the application in either English or Spanish, please go to the Dog License page.
Licensing your dog and keeping it on them at all times has a range of benefits. Most importantly, it allows you to be reunited with your dog in the event that they become lost, and also helps protect you and your dog from rabies. Additionally, it provides a better understanding of our dog population which helps to inform future investment in public amenities such as dog runs and parks, and allows us to contact you in the event of an emergency or for special events.