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Animal Shelter

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1. Are you a “no kill” Animal Shelter and do you alert the public of significant possibility euthanasia can occur on certain animals?

We are currently operating as a no kill shelter for dogs. Burlington County Animal Shelter (BCAS) classifies this definition from the No Kill Advocacy Center, which means BCAS has a euthanasia rate less than 10% for dogs. To become a no kill shelter for cats, we will need to continue our efforts in adoption initiatives as well as increasing foster / rescue participation and reclaims.

We are always trying to improve our ability to save animals.

Our efforts include:

• Education
• Community outreach
• Volunteer assistance
• Rescue group assistance
• Support of well managed Trap Neuter and Return (TNR) programs
• On-site spay / neuter of adopted animals

All of these are geared towards stemming the tide of pet overpopulation. Daily we are faced with the difficult task of evaluating animals for medical and temperament problems. When directed by our Veterinarian staff, we humanely euthanize these animals to prevent suffering. In addition, we humanely euthanize animals with severe behavioral problems or temperament problems that constitute a safety risk to people or other animals.

2. Can the animal shelter improve the look and content of the shelter's website?

We are always looking for ways to improve. Our volunteers do a wonderful job with pictures and video’s.

3. Does the animal shelter accept credit cards for payments?

Yes we accept all credit cards for payments, except American Express.

4. How are animals euthanized?

Humanely, by compassionate, certified Euthanasia Technicians. Ending the life of any animal is never easy for us, yet it is a reality we are faced with every day.

5. How do you verify if the animals that are euthanized are dead?

The Euthanasia Technician feels for a heartbeat with fingers and if they feel no heartbeat, it is rechecked with a stethoscope. This is exactly the same as Veterinarians do when you have companion animals that are put down at the veterinarian’s office. Also, euthanized animals are not immediately disposed of but held out for a period of time and again re-examined.

6. How often are Veterinarians and Veterinarian Technicians on duty?

There are 1 - 3 Veterinarian Technicians are present at the shelter every day from morning until late afternoon. Generally, the Veterinarian is only physically present during spay / neuter and rabies clinics. However, they are always on call per phone and very responsive and diligent about returning Veterinarian Technician and senior staff inquiries.

7. Is there follow-up reporting indicating the day an animal was admitted to the sick room for treatment, the day the animal was released from the sick room, and the status of the animal?

Follow up indicating admission to sick room, release, etc., are indicated on medication sheets on animals’ flow charts each time they are medicated. From the flow chart it is easy to discern on what day medication commenced and what day it ended and a "move to floor" note was made.

8. What is the main purpose of the animal shelter?

The animal shelter’s main purpose is acting as the rabies control center for all forty municipalities of Burlington County. The shelter also provides the essential services of reuniting lost pets with their owners and providing unclaimed adoptable animals a chance for a new home.

9. What is the policy on holding animals for 7 days?

With rare exceptions, BCAS holds animals well past the required 7 day holding period, sometimes for months. The State of New Jersey mandates a minimum 7 day holding period for strays only. The only animals that get euthanized immediately are surrender requests, i.e. very aged and ill animals that are brought in by the owner to be humanely euthanized (for health reasons).

10. What techniques are used to determine if a cat is truly feral?

The initial assessment is done by the Animal Control Officer (ACO) and those who do the first handling at the shelter. Feral cats are held for the same 7 day holding time that any other stray animal is held. There is no fail proof feral test. Feral cats don’t usually meow and don’t blink when approached by humans. They hide or stay in the back of the cage, or at times will charge the cage. All animals are treated with respect and dignity whether feral or tame.

11. When is the best time to stop by the animal shelter?

We open at 12 p.m. and close at 4 p.m. every day, except when closed on county observed holidays. Thursday is our late night when we are open until 7 p.m.

12. Who attends the animals and administers their medications on Sundays / Holidays?

This shelter is not open to the public 365 days a year, but it is "open for business" 365 days a year, as are all shelters. Animal Attendants are assigned to clean and Veterinarian Technicians are assigned to observe and medicate the animals on holidays, just like every other day of the year.

13. Who can and can’t visit the sick room?

Only staff may visit the sick room. Predominantly, admittance is restricted to the Veterinarian Technicians and 1 Animal Attendant scheduled to clean on any given day, or possibly 2 Animal Attendants to move newly sick animals in and newly well animals out. Also, the manager and Animal Advocates visit the sick room when they need to check on specific animals or have some other pressing business, e.g., identification, etc.

Our Animal Advocates and Management staff is trained to keep a substantial distance from the cages and to do only what is necessary, exiting as quickly as possible, always following the shoe dip and hand washing protocols, etc. Any pressure to allow volunteers and rescues access must be dismissed by staff for the sake of the isolated, ill animals and other well animals in the shelter.

We know well-meaning citizens and rescue groups are interested and want to help with rescues and identification, however, doing so in “sickrooms" is not in the best interest of the animals and can be harmful, even lethal, to other animals that are not ill and awaiting adoption.

14. Why are Rescuers not allowed in the sick room?

It is extremely important to limit the number of people in any sick area - especially, cat sick areas where respiratory infections are highly contagious.

15. Why are sick cats not placed in the sick room?

They are with the exception of during outbreaks. There is always the chance that some cats in the adoptable room are incubating a disease and will start sneezing at any time. If you hear a cat sneezing, report it to staff so that they can move the animal and alert the Veterinarian Technicians who treat them.

16. Why do feral cats have small plastic boxes in their cages? This looks inhumane to live in.

These boxes best serve feral cats that would otherwise be pole captured and often traumatized. The cats are free to move in and out of the boxes to within the cage as they please. Feral cats like the solitude this provides. The boxes also serve the cat well in transporting out for daily cage cleaning, feeding and watering. The boxes eliminate injuries to the cats and staff. These boxes are far more humane than just the cage alone and are much less stressful on the cats

17. Why does the shelter not notify rescuers and applicants of animals on the last resort list or return their calls for a status update?

Rescues go down as last resorts and the shelter does not call them when their services are not needed, e.g., the cat / dog is adopted. Nor do we give rescues day by day updates as that is simply not possible with the number of rescues we work with. We call rescues when we are of the opinion that a cat / dog with a last resort needs to be pulled. Rescue groups are welcome to call in for status updates, but should be speaking with the Adoption Advocate(s) and not general office staff.

18. Why isn't there better directions and better signage for the animal shelter?

We are working to constantly improve this area. We can email specific directions for locating the animal shelter or provide directions over the phone. We have worked with the Boy Scouts on developing signage as well as with the County Engineering Department for sign preparation. Also, some volunteers have built creative signs to display. We will continue to do more in this area.

Our address is:
35 Academy Drive
Westampton, New Jersey 08060