A difficult year for South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter also offered blessings

I try very hard not to wish my life away, but I have to say, I’m not unhappy to see this year end.

Working in the shelter in any capacity is always challenging, but this year has been a real humdinger! Employee shortages in an extremely labor-intensive business caring for live animals has been a true test of our strength and stamina! We saw a disturbing uptick in the number of pets entering the shelter after losing their homes due to violent events in the lives of their owners.

The number of pet owners in our community that needed help maintaining and retaining their pets grew substantially. It has been a rough road from beginning to end.

That said, the best thing to do is to look back on the blessings that also came amongst the hardships, and when you work with animals, the blessings are many.

“Garth,” a dog that I had featured earlier this year as one of the unfortunate pets to be surrendered after his owners suffered the tragic death of a child, was finally adopted to an adoring family after spending three months here at the shelter.

More: South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter is full and more strays are arriving

More: SJRAS' Community Outreach seeks nominations for 'Operation Outreach'

“Batty,” another large adult bully mix, was just adopted a couple of weeks ago after waiting 258 days to finally find his forever home.

“Chooch”, a young Presa Canario, has spent 205 days here with us. He has not been adopted yet. He was only just released to us last week after waiting six months for the case of his owner, who was charged with animal cruelty violations, to be adjudicated. The owner was found guilty, he has been forfeited to our custody and now we can begin the search for his happy ending.

“Dot” came to us as a tiny kitten about six weeks of age. Upon her initial veterinary exam, a small patch of dry skin was detected. The scaly spot turned out to be ringworm and the poor kitten ended up spending the next 97 days in quarantine until she was cured. Finally, after three months of treatment she was able to be adopted and has the run of the house instead of being confined to a recovery cage.

Overall, it was a great year for adoptions and for our rescue and shelter partners stepping up to take our overflow and special need pets. With those successes and all the lost animals that were reunited with their families, we have more than 3,000 blessings to count.

And now, as I sit here at my computer, I see our friends at Pampered Pup Pet Resort pull up in a pickup truck loaded to the hilt with donations. When I look at things through that lens, it doesn’t seem like it was such a bad year after all!

Happy New Year and thank all of you that have supported our mission.

Shelter needs: A safe and healthy new year with another 3,000 or 4,000 homes for the pets we will care for in 2022!

Shelter address: 1244 N. Delsea Drive in Vineland.

For information about fostering, visit https://southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org/volunteer_main/foster.

To submit an adoption form for one of the Pets of the Week or another animal at the shelter, visit https://southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org/forms/adoption-questionnaire.

To volunteer, email the volunteer coordinator at volunteers@sjras.org.

For SJRAS information, call (856) 691-1500 or visit southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org or SJRASVineland on Facebook.

DOGS OF THE WEEK

Patty is a friendly, outgoing, 3-year-old pit mix. She is a smart and affectionate young dog who likes attention and loves people and her big brown eyes will melt your heart!

Tyson is an active, fun-loving, 1-year-old pit bull terrier. He will need some work on basic doggy manners but he is young and smart and ready to learn.

Millie is a great pup! She is an adorable, 3-year-old, medium-sized mix breed. Millie is well-mannered, smart and fun. She has it all, good looks, personality and a good heart. She is a great dog who is waiting for her loving, forever home.

Whitney is a lovely, 6-year-old pit mix. She does well on a leash and is friendly and attentive.

Rory is an adorable, 1-year-old bully breed. She is smart, fun and well-mannered. Rory loves to play but can also settle in very nicely next to her person. She is a good dog with lots of love to give.

Bowie is a very sweet, 2-year-old pit bull terrier, who loves people and is eager to please. This nice boy knows the sit command and gives paw. He is a friendly and affectionate and learns quickly.

Chooch is a handsome, 1-year-old, Presa Canario, who is looking for his happy ending. See today’s article for more information about him.

CATS OF THE WEEK

Stockton is a handsome, young, male kitten, who would love to be your best friend.

North is a handsome, young, male kitten, who is looking for his forever home.

Glitter, a six-month-old grey and white kitten, has had some challenges in her young life but she’s ready to help you with everything! Check out last week’s SJRAS column to learn more about Glitter.

Tostito is a handsome, young, male kitten, who is looking for a forever home.

Kendall looks sad because she’s waiting for someone to love! She would be very happy to be your best friend!

Carly wants to be your best friend. She will always be by your side. She loves being a single cat in a single quiet household. She will not jump on the counters or try to eat your food. She just wants pets and love.

Julia is wishing she had a family of her own.

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This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter focuses on the blessings