Animal Control Asks Public for Continued Support

COURT HOUSE – Shore Animal Control Services is reaching out to the community to request continue help reporting pets left outdoors. The company, since starting animal control services in Lower Township has been inundated with phone calls about animals left outdoors this winter. The calls have come in on the company’s 800 number as well as on their website www.ShoreAnimalControl.com. All calls that come in from neighbors can be anonymous at the request of the caller. This has helped increase phone tips in the past few months.
One of the dangers of leaving pets outdoors in the winter is the water will freeze in just a few hours. Unless a resident is home changing the water every couple hours, the resident is in violation of state law which requires all outdoor pets to have access to fresh water and shelter. The company owner, Dr. Nick Holland states, “We appreciate the public responding to our request for help in locating animals left outside in below freezing temperatures. Without the calls that came in, we fear some of these animals would not have made it. We continue to need the public’s help during these cold winters. Older pets and short hair pets should have limited time outside during these extreme temperatures.”
The animal control officers for the company will continue to be vigilant in patrolling the townships they service: Lower Township, Wildwood, Upper Township, Woodbine, Dennis Township and West Cape May. Daily patrols are being conducted, but it is impossible to find all animals left outdoors. The officers for Shore Animal Control been working overtime, nights and weekends answering phone calls from residents with tips on pets left outdoors in danger. Holland continues, “With the help of the public, we hope to prevent any more animals from freezing during these extreme temperatures. Our officers have had a chance to educate the residents about the ordinances and dangers of these temperatures and have encouraged many people to bring their pets inside. ”
Regular patrols of the municipalities are currently a regular routine, but animal control is asking for help from the public for animals in backyards that cannot be visible from the streets. Neighbors in Woodbine, Upper, Dennis and West Cape May can report violations of these township ordinances by calling Shore Animal Control at 1 800- 351-1822 and the officers will investigate. Warnings and summons are currently being issued for all violations in the municipalities of Dennis, Upper, Woodbine and West Cape May. Other municipalities can contact the local police department to report animals left outside during these temperatures. The local police can contact the various animal control officers for the municipalities who will investigate.