Profile: South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter

The South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in Vineland is operated by the Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CCSPCA), a nonprofit organization founded in 1891 and incorporated in 1947.

According to director of operations Kathleen Leary, "The SPCA was the only law enforcement agency authorized solely for the protection of animals. Each year our cruelty agents investigated nearly 1,000 reports of animal abuse and neglect. Many times we were able stop abuse through education, however, other cases require prosecuting the guilty parties." The shelter came about as part of these activities.

In 2018, new legislation was enacted that dissolved the NJSPCA and its chapters and put the enforcement of state Anti-Animal Cruelty statues completely in the hands of the County Prosecutors' Office.

The money to finance the current shelter comes from fees charged to municipalities to house their stray animals, fees charged to adopt, reclaim or release an animal to us, dues, donations, grants, fund-raisers and bequests from caring individuals.

"Each year our humane education programs, offered free to schools and community groups, reach thousands, teaching basic pet care, safety and the understanding that all living creatures deserve our respect," said Leary. "Each year our clinic provides the general public and thousands of animals access to our low-cost spay and neuter services. In addition to sheltering and protecting animals, the shelter also acts as a clearinghouse for the thousands of phone calls requesting information on animal related issues and problems."

The shelter is located at 1244 N. Delsea Drive and is open Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, go to southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org.

Greg Hatala may be reached at greghatalagalleries@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.