Don't Feed Pets Thanksgiving Dinner: Gloucester County Shelter

Anthony Bellano
·2 min read

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — The Gloucester County Animal Shelter is reminding residents to keep their pets away from hazardous food this Thanksgiving.

“Pet owners should include their pets in every part of their life including holidays and celebrations, but remember everything should be done in moderation for their safety,” Gloucester County Director Robert M. Damminger said.

Although not recommended, residents who want to share their Thanksgiving feast with their pets should follow these safety tips:

  • Make sure turkey is well-cooked, boneless and includes no fat.

  • Do not feet your dog raw dough- the yeast continues to convert the sugars in the dough to carbon dioxide gas and alcohol. This can result in bloated pets, which could become a life-threatening emergency requiring hospitalization.

  • Stay away from desserts especially if it includes raw eggs- they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.


A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem, officials said. However, residents shouldn’t let their pets overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—pancreatitis.

Gloucester County Animal Shelter has animals up for adoption at a discounted price. Animals 6 years old and younger will have their adoption fees reduced to $35. Dogs and cats 6 years and older will have their adoption fees completely waived.

Adoption hours are by appointment only. The shelter is still limiting access to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic. The shelter has 35 animals available for adoption including 22 cats, 10 dogs, 1 rabbit and 2 roosters.

Any Gloucester County resident interested in adopting from the shelter can call 856-881-2828, ext. 1 for adoptions. Adoption applications can also be filled out online at www.gloucestercountynj.gov. A staff member will be in touch with an appointment time.

“We also want to remind residents of our Pet Food Pantry,” Gloucester County Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco said. “We created this pantry to keep your pets in your homes. We know the pandemic has caused financial stress for many residents, so please don’t hesitate to pick up food for your pet at the shelter if you’re in need.”

Any pet owner struggling to feed their pets due to the coronavirus pandemic, can visit the Pet Food Pantry to pick up pet food for their dogs and cats. Any Gloucester County resident in need of food can call the shelter to confirm availability and schedule a time for pickup at 856-881-2828, ext. 3.

This article originally appeared on the West Deptford Patch