Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are proud to announce that since transitioning to a municipally operated Animal Care and Control, the full-service animal shelter continues to meet and exceed the administration’s initial goals of ensuring humane treatment and enforcement for all animals in need with a high-performing shelter that is already receiving national recognition for its achievements.
The results speak for themselves: a national
No-Kill Shelter designation, dramatically expanded services, record-high adoption rates, and a revitalized community commitment to animal welfare.
In January 2024, Jersey City brought
animal control and shelter operations fully in-house. Since then, the new division has transformed animal services with longer operating hours, 24/7 animal control response, free and low-cost veterinary care, strategic partnerships with rescue organizations, and a robust public adoption and volunteer program.
“Our goal in taking over shelter operations was to improve care, transparency, accessibility, and outcomes for animals and the families who love them,” said
Mayor Fulop. “Today, those goals have been realized and then some, and the response has been overwhelming. It is incredible to see the love this city has for its animals.”
Key Achievements Since City Takeover:
•No-Kill Shelter Designation by Best Friends Animal Society (2025)
• 1,100+ adoptions to loving homes
• 95%+ live release rate
• $90,000 in grants awarded to 19 local rescue groups
• 100+ active volunteers and fosters
•Daily operations expanded to 7 days/week, including on-site dog licensing and wellness checks
•100+ animals reunited with their families
"This team of professionals has completely transformed the experience for fosters and rescues in our community,” added
Tracy Rowland, a foster and volunteer. “While tackling the issue of homeless pets in Jersey City is still daunting, working with the shelter team has given us new hope, and the animals in our care a brighter future."
Earlier this month, the city-run shelter received national recognition as a No-Kill Shelter in the
Best Friends Animal Society’s Annual Shelter Statistics Report.
The Division also launched a targeted Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for community cats, improved data transparency through monthly reporting, and significantly reduced preventable euthanasia by investing in preventative care and rescue partnerships.
“What we’ve built in just a year and a half is nothing short of transformative,” said
Stacey Flanagan, Director of Health and Human Services. “By aligning our shelter operations with public health, education, and community needs, we have created a system that’s more humane, more effective, and more accessible for all Jersey City residents.”
“Our incredible team lives and breathes the mission every single day,” added
Mark Byrnes, Shelter Director. “From helping lost pets find their way home to celebrating every successful adoption, we are not just meeting metrics, we are changing lives.”
Since adopting their dog from the shelter last year, the
Valdez family says Rory has brought so much joy to their home. “We walked into the shelter by chance and just from speaking with us, the team knew exactly which dog would be the perfect fit for our family. You can tell how much they truly care about every animal that is there and wanted to ensure that Rory was placed with the best home suited for her. The work they do is astounding, and I'm happy they're being recognized, as it is much deserved!”
Looking ahead, the Division plans to expand community outreach and continue to invest in high-quality animal welfare services. In August, the shelter will also partake in the national campaign to
“Clear the Shelters” with $25 adoptions all month and a special event on August 17th on Newark Avenue. See the attached flyer for more details.
“This has truly been a team effort between city staff, rescue partners, and residents,” concluded
HHS Health Officer Paul Bellan-Boyer. “Helping reunite lost pets with their family, enabling people and pets enrich each other’s lives, or just helping solve an animal-related problem, is when the caring and hard work really pay off. I am so proud of our dedicated team and our city.”
For more information or to get involved, visit
www.jcnj.org/adopt or email
[email protected].
All media inquiries should be directed to Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione at
[email protected].