(Gloucester Township, NJ) – The Camden County Freeholder Board has formally renamed the Camden County Animal Shelter the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center.
The new name comes with the opening of the center’s renovated animal clinic and surgical wing. The Freeholder Board directed $1 million in renovations to the facility in Gloucester Township that upgraded and improved the capacity to perform low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and dental work on cats and dogs.
“The center serves thousands of pets and their owners throughout Camden County each year,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center. “We’re making sure the facility has the resources it needs keep our pets safe and cared for, and we want to make sure that those animals currently without a home are cared for as well.”
The clinic improvements include a new surgical suite and prep areas for spay and neuter surgeries for the shelter and public animals. The surgical suite provides increased capacity for public surgeries and the vaccine clinic, and includes new surgical equipment, surgery recovery space, customer lobby and desk, and surgical ventilation systems.
“Camden County is a very animal friendly place, whether they be pets or animals who currently don’t have a home,” Young said. “The Freeholder Board has had a longstanding commitment to treat animals, owned or homeless, in a humane manner. We believe it is the right thing to do and we want our public policy to mirror these values.”
This project was the second phase of a broader improvement plan that started in 2015 with an original $1.5 million investment to expand the facility. That year, the center opened a new adoption wing where residents could interact with and adopt pets. The new wing made room for an additional 30 dogs and 50 cats and upgraded public service areas.
“We invite everyone to come and visit the dogs and cats waiting for you at the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center,” Young said. “There is a mutual happiness derived from these encounters that leaves the animals and our visitors happier and more fulfilled.”
For more information on the shelter, call (856) 401-1300 or visit homewardboundnj.org/