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This holiday season, adopt… don’t shop! The Voorhees Animal Orphanage (VAO) reminds area residents to visit the local community shelter and consider adopting a new “furry friend” during the holiday season… and year round! If you’re not ready to add a furry friend to your family, consider making a gift to the “Building for a Pawsitive Future” Capital Campaign, or donating items on their “wish list.”
“A home is the best gift you could give to one of our animals,” said Jennifer Bailey, Marketing Director for Voorhees Animal Orphanage. “They are in desperate need of the love and care that only a permanent family could provide. I encourage anyone who is looking to add a pet to their family to consider VAO before they look anywhere else.”
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Serving 22 municipalities in southern New Jersey, including 16 towns in Camden County, VAO takes in lost or stray dogs and cats, and those who have been surrendered by their owners. When space allows, VAO will also care for animals who they are able to save from high-kill shelters.
“Some of the dogs we take in are confused or scared. They don’t know why they are here, and they become almost a shell of what they were. Other dogs have been at the shelter for months on end,” said Bailey.
VAO also provides TLC for animals that are in less than perfect conditions. Egypt, a terrier-pit bull mix, is riddled with tumors and endured a life of over breeding before she was surrendered to a foster-to-adopt home through the VAO when she could no longer produce puppies. Gary, a super-senior domestic shorthair, is a tripod, or three-legged, cat with hyperthyroidism. Despite their situations, the VAO took them in with open arms.
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“We will always find a solution for our animals,” said Bailey. “We believe each and every dog and cat deserves affection, care and a family to call their own. We’re happy to be their temporary loving family until their permanent one comes along, no matter how long that may take.”
Support VAO
VAO is asking for potential adopters to visit the shelter and spend some time with the adoptable dogs and cats during their search for a new “furry friend.”
For those who cannot adopt, VAO encourages donating an item on the shelter’s holiday “wish list,” which includes: gift certificates (PetValu, PetSmart, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s), non-clumping cat litter, dry or wet grain-free dog food, Purina One cat/kitten dry and wet food, paper towels and liquid laundry detergent.
Donations may also be made to VAO’s $1.6 million capital campaign “Building for Pawsitive Future” to support the construction of VAO’s much-needed new facility. Built on VAO’s existing site on 419 Cooper Road in Voorhees, next to the Voorhees Township Fire Department, the new 8,900 sq. foot facility will be completed in phases to minimize any disruptions to VAO’s furry “residents.” VAO anticipates a new building opening by the end of January 2020.
To learn more about the adoption process, visit https://www.vaonj.org/ or email info@vaonj.org. To make a donation to support VAO’s “Building for a Pawsitive Future” Capital Campaign or to learn more, visit https://www.vaonj.org/voorhees-animal-orphanage-capital-campaign/.
About the Voorhees Animal Orphanage
Founded in 1988, the Voorhees Animal Orphanage (VAO) is a nonprofit community animal shelter and 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing shelter, food and medical care to stray and unwanted animals, until permanent and loving homes can be found. VAO does not receive any local, state or federal funding.
We rely on grants and generous contributions of individuals and corporations. Currently, VAO serves 22 towns in southern New Jersey, 16 of which are in Camden County. VAO strives to meet a 90 percent live release rate (no-kill) and works with rescue partners across the country to rescue animals from overcrowded and high-kill shelters. To learn more about VAO and its “Building for a Pawsitive Future” Capital Campaign, visit https://www.vaonj.org/.