2201 Whitesville Rd Toms River, NJ 08755 Jim Bowen Division Manager Directions We are located on Route 527 (Whitesville Road), just a ¼ mile north of Route 70. Please call (732) 367-5044 for further directions. Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday 1-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday 1-4 p.m., and closed on Mondays and holidays Hours for Animal Control: 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays

Overview:

The Toms River Animal Facility is a municipal shelter serving Toms River Township. We are one of only four remaining municipally-run shelters in New Jersey. The staff at the facility are responsible for all daily operations including administrative, cleaning/feeding all animals, adoptions, reclaims, owner relinquishments and animal control.

Adoptions:

If you are interested in adopting an animal, please contact the shelter directly. E-mails may not be answered on a daily basis. Applications are required when adopting a pet. Applications are held for 24-48 hours for screening. If approved, a fee of $40 is required and no credit cards accepted. If a resident application is approved, a representative will contact applicant and make arrangements to finalize the adoption. We reserve the right to deny any applications for any reason. Any animal adopted is required to be spayed or neutered. The owner will be able to participate in the New Jersey low-cost spay/neuter program. This program entitles each adopter the ability to have their new family member spayed or neutered for $20 at any participating veterinarian. Every adopted animal is always returnable should there be any problem with the adoption. Click here to view a list of our adoptable pets.

Photo Gallery

Resources:

Testimonials

Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know Allie was adopted today. Her new home has been waiting patiently for her arrival for 3 weeks as she needed to be spayed... They are a retired couple from Egg Harbor City who have owned brittany's and border collies for their entire lives. She will be lavished with love and attention truly what every animal needs. Thanks so much for letting us pull her and bring her into foster care. She was a true delight and we will miss her!!

Dear Mr. Bowen,

Just wanted to write and let you know how wonderful and caring Claire and the staff at the Toms River Shelter are.  I just recently lost our family dog Nicky who is 17years old. The wind one day blew open the gate and he wondered off. Thanks to some caring neighbors animal control was called and he was taken in.  I am so thankful.  I called Claire in the morning about Nicky and I was very upset.  She calmed me down and was very happy to tell me they had Nicky there at the Shelter.  When I went to the shelter to pick up Nicky I was greeted with a warm hello and they were so happy Nicky's owner was found.  I know its only January 12th but Claire and her staff made my year already.  They helped me out to my car which I can't thank them enough because my hands were shaking from being so happy in finding Nicky. I will always remember my new friends at the shelter and they will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Attached is a picture, she was named Bell when she was at the shelter

"Rescuing one dog will not change the world.... But for that dog the world will be forever changed"
Michelle Falkinburg
American Brittany Rescue-NJ
609-296-8278

One autumn day in October 2005 a two year old was getting ready to celebrate her third birthday.  The guests arrived with bags and boxes of all sizes for the birthday girl Jillian ( Pictured on left with Jim Bowen).  After the party all those bags and boxes got loaded up into the car and were taken to the Toms River Animal Facility.  They were bags of dog and cat food, treats and toys, blankets and cat litter.  The staff and volunteers at the shelter greeted Jillian with joy and excitement.

This past October Jillian celebrated her seventh birthday and the guests knew what to do.  Every year since her third birthday, Jillian asked for donations for the Toms River Animal Facility INSTEAD of birthday presents for herself.  She takes the shelter’s wish list and sends it with the invitation.  Jillian’s mom Lisa says, “There has been such positive feedback and response over the years.” The shelter staff and volunteers couldn’t agree more.  “Most people don’t realize that animals need a lot of care.  Especially animals in a shelter because it’s not their fault they are here.  They deserve some extra special treats and toys.  It’s so wonderful that someone as young as Jillian understands that,” says volunteer Linda.

Jillian’s love for animals and her adopted dog inspired her cause. “Our dog who is 13 ½  was rescued from a shelter and we discussed with her that the animals at the shelter need items to be taken care of before they are adopted...now [she] fully understands the importance of her charitable mission,” Lisa says.  And of course the animal shelter staff and volunteers look forward to Jillian’s eighth birthday next year.