TINTON FALLS – Things were looking a bit dismal for a 6-year-old terrier mix named Shanice. Nov. 2 marked her third year in a Tinton Falls-based animal shelter and she was about to spend her fourth Christmas inside those walls. That is, until last week.
A 6-year old terrier mix, has been adopted after spending over three years in the Associated Humane Societies shelter in Tinton Falls. Representatives campaigned for her adoption before the holiday season.
Photo by Allison Perrine
Shanice was the longest resident of the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey’s Tinton Falls facility. Representatives started campaigning for her adoption as her 1,090th day in the shelter approached, came and went. But a media blitz brought Shanice to the attention of employees of the Jackson-based nonprofit Pitties and Pals Rescue, who decided to change her luck, promoting her cause until finding her “forever family.”
“There’s too many animals who don’t have homes or families to live with,” said Delfino Salazar, a shelter employee since 2010. “These dogs need family, love.”
According to Humane Societies representative Lindsay Papa, it’s a bit unusual for animals to stay at the Tinton Falls facility for very long. The average large dog or pit bull is adopted within six months to a year, and the average small dog, puppy or purebred is adopted within two weeks to two months. Dogs have been held in the shelter for at most two years before this. “It is hard to say. It really is case by case,” said Papa. “But our small dogs, puppies and pure breeds go much, much faster.”
Shanice, now known as Jules and living the home-sweet-home life in Princeton, was originally a stray from Sayreville that came to the shelter Nov. 2, 2016. Multiple employees described her as a nice, easy and happy dog. She loves to play with toys and has a particular fondness for tennis balls, often jumping into toy boxes to find them for herself.
A black-and-white terrier mix with a shiny coat, Jules knows commands like “sit” and “paw.” She loves to go for walks or runs on her leash and wears a bright pink collar. She loves belly rubs and has a contagious smile. She sometimes barks out of excitement but is very friendly.
Papa thought Jules probably spent so long in the Tinton Falls shelter because she was not great with other dogs. “But that can always change. This is a stressful environment, so sometimes it’s hard to tell exactly what they’re going to be like in a home. But we obviously have to be cautious.”
The pup had been involved in the Share-A-Pet program at the facility, which allows donors to take her on walks, feed her treats and give her attention. These social interactions opened her up and readied her for adoption, the shelter states.
Salazar said campaigns for adoption will be made for other animals going forward, but not for all. Special attention will be made to animals that have been abused, have special needs or have been at the shelter for a long time.
The adoption process at The Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey’s Tinton Falls facility requires that interested parties have a copy of a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification available. Homeowners must prove ownership of their home with a tax bill, deed, or the like. Home renters must provide a lease specifically stating that animals are allowed. If it does not say it, a notarized letter must be provided from the landlord. Any adopters who already have dogs must bring them in for a meet-and-greet with the dog looking to be adopted.
According to the shelter there is a $165 fee to adopt large, mixed-breed dogs which includes spaying/ neutering, updated vaccinations and microchips. A $350 fee is imposed when adopting puppies and might require adopters to sign up for puppy training classes. The fee for adopting felines is $75 for kittens and $50 for adult cats, which also includes spaying/neutering, updated vaccinations and microchips.
To learn more, contact the shelter, located at 2960 Shafto Road. Many other dogs are up for adoption as well as cats, chickens, bunnies, pigs and roosters. “We can get anything on a given day,” said Papa. For more information about Associated Humane Societies, visit ahscares.org.
