It goes without saying that volunteering is a selfless way to connect with the community and contribute time to helping lives and organizations in need. Animal shelters are always in need of volunteers who can dedicate time and effort towards helping animals and facilities. In New Jersey, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Read on for a list of some local animal shelters in northern New Jersey where you can volunteer and lend a paw.
Animal Welfare Association
The Animal Welfare Association (AWA) of New Jersey, located in Vorhees, offers various opportunities for volunteers of different ages. Volunteers for the association can get involved through community outreach, including fairs and third-party fundraising; on-site opportunities, including socializing with animals; and assisting with administrative duties, and large events, including AWA’s Paws and Feet, Putts for Pets, and Drag Bingo. Volunteers can learn more and apply by visiting the AWA’s website and completing an application.
Contact information:
Website: https://www.awanj.org/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 856-424-2288
Facebook: /animalwelfareassociation
Instagram: @awa_nj
Twitter: @awanj
Read More: Animal Rescues in Northern New Jersey
Associated Humane Societies (AHS) Newark Shelter
The Newark branch of Associated Humane Societies is located at 124 Evergreen Avenue and was built in 1906 as New Jersey’s first animal shelter, per the website. There is also a Tinton Falls location and a Forked River location (which is also an animal refuge called Popcorn Park). When it comes to volunteering here, AHS Newark says that “Volunteers are the heart of AHS and without their time, talents, and resources we would not be able to save the lives of over 3,000 animals each year.” Volunteering opportunities include dog walking, cat socializing, fostering, and helping out with events, among other options. There are also junior volunteering opportunities for those up to the 17-years-old — junior volunteers will not be able to work directly with the animals, but can participate in other ways. Visit AHS’ volunteer portal here.
Contact information for the Newark shelter:
Website: https://ahscares.org/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-824-7080
Facebook: /ahsnewark
Instagram: @ahsnewark
The Bergen County Animal Shelter + Adoption Center
The Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center (BCAS), located in Teterboro, New Jersey, has served Bergen and Hudson counties since 1979. The shelter is accepting volunteers for their Dog and Cat Volunteer Program during which volunteers can help socialize with, train, and assist the shelter from noon to 4:45PM every day of the week. Volunteers are not required to have prior experience and will be paired with a Buddy to receive training.
Contact information:
Website: https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/animal-shelter-adoption-center/volunteer-opportunities
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Phone: 201-229-4600
Facebook: /BCAnimalShelter
Instagram: @bergencountyanimal
Jersey City Animal Shelter
Jersey City Animal Shelter took over Liberty Humane Society in January of 2024. The City of Jersey City now oversees animal care, control services, and shelter management. Animal control services now operate seven days a week, from 7AM to 7PM Monday through Saturday and 8AM to 4PM on Sundays. In addition to the expanded services, Jersey City has launched a volunteer program to support quality animal care and fostering. The volunteer program provides an opportunity for animal lovers to give back to their community by helping with fun tasks like walking the dogs, socializing the cats, and assisting at adoption events.
Contact information:
Website: jcnj.org/animals
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 201-547-4888
Montclair Township Animal Shelter
The Montclair Township Animal Shelter is municipally run and governed by the Township of Montclair. The shelter provides control and care for abandoned, abused, neglected and unwanted animals in Montclair, Verona, and Nutley. The shelter also takes in animals from residents of those towns who are unable to properly care for their pets. MTAS is currently accepting volunteer applications for dog walking and cat care. Dog walkers must be 18 years of age and help by walking, socializing, and supervising dogs in the play area as appropriate. Cat caregivers must be 16 years of age work each morning before the shelter opens to the public, assisting in cage sterilization, dish cleaning, and other important tasks. You can apply for the dog walking position here and the cat care position here.
Contact information:
Website: https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Departments/Animal-Shelter
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-744-8600
Facebook: /MontclairAnimalShelter
Instagram: @friendsofmtas
Next Chance Rescue
Next Chance Rescue kicked off as a passion project and grew into a successful rescue organization that invites volunteers to join for multiple opportunities, whether for just an hour a day or a day per month. Volunteers at Next Chance Rescue can assist with day-to-day efforts, special events, or other creative fields to show support. The organization also offers fostering opportunities and welcomes corporate sponsorship. To become a volunteer, simply visit the website below to fill out an application, and give the organization’s online store a visit as well.
Contact information:
Website: https://www.nextchancerescue.org/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (201) 783-4662 | (917) 833-7322
Facebook: /nextchancerescue
Instagram: @nextchancerescuenj
Secaucus Animal Shelter
The Secaucus Animal Shelter located in Secaucus, New Jersey is a shelter accepting both cats and dogs. The shelter’s volunteer opportunities range from animal socialization through the Animal Care Program, to temporary housing through the Foster Program, and various openings at community fairs, events, and fundraisers throughout the year. The shelter is open daily, Monday through Friday, and those who would like to volunteer can reach out by using the contact information listed below.
Contact information:
Website: https://sasnj.org/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 201-348-3213
Facebook: /TheSecaucusAnimalShelter
Instagram: @secaucus_animal_shelter
See More: A List of Dog-Friendly Places in Hoboken
Wise Animal Rescue
Wise Animal Rescue is based in Northern New Jersey but has fosters and volunteers throughout the Tri-State area that support its mission and cause. The organization believes that without these amazing people, the rescue could not operate as it is entirely run by volunteers and fosters. W.A.R. is dedicated to rescuing dogs of all ages and breeds from places where they are no longer wanted or are not being properly cared for. By partnering with veterinary practices that support its work, they are able to save dogs’ lives and restore them back to health. Central to the mission is to ensure that all dogs are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, and microchipped. Prior to adoption, all of the dogs are placed into responsible, loving foster homes to be socialized and trained rather than put in a shelter environment. To volunteer, fill out an application on the website.
Contact information:
Website: http://wiseanimalrescue.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-850-9473
Facebook: /wiseanimalrescue
Instagram: @wiseanimalrescue
The 10 Craziest Things That Happened in New Jersey this Year
New Jersey had a ton of headlines to read through in 2024. Drones were visiting, actors and actresses turned cities and suburbs into movie sets, and even astronomical events happened. Here are some of the wildest stories we covered around New Jersey in 2024.
The Solar Eclipse
People around Northern New Jersey donned special sunglasses and stared straight into the sun for the Solar Eclipse on April 8th, 2024. The Moon passed between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun's light, according to NASA. In some parts of the country, it was like nighttime briefly in the afternoon. In New Jersey, it just looked like a big shadow. Giving people an excuse to take a long lunch also brought us some great memes.
Read More: New Businesses Coming to Montclair + Essex County in 2025
East Coast Earthquake
Photo Credit: U.S. Geological Survey
An earthquake sent shockwaves throughout Northern New Jersey in April 2024. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake sent tremors throughout the state and the shaking was even captured on some Ring cameras. Aftershocks came in the following days, something people on the West Coast may be used to, but not Jersey residents. NJ Transit had several delays and Newark Airport limited how many planes could land and depart while officials ensured there wasn’t major infrastructure damage. The best news: no injuries were reported.
New Jersey Goes Hollywood
Dozens of celebrities were seen around New Jersey shooting movies throughout 2024. Timothee Chalamet turned into Bob Dylan while shooting the biopic A Complete Unknown in Cape May, Hoboken, and Jersey City. Blake Lively turned Hoboken into Boston for the Colleen Hoover book adaptation It Ends With Us. Jeremy Allen White has been turning back the clock in Asbury Park, Bayonne, and Montclair while shooting Deliver Me From Nowhere, a biopic about Bruce Springsteen. A movie starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson was spotted shooting in Montclair, including at Tierney’s Tavern, in December 2024.
The Drones
It seems like all of New Jersey is looking up lately due to the many drone sightings across the state. As of December 2024, we still don’t know where or why they are hovering over the Garden State. Now the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued several updates prohibiting the use of drones in parts of northern New Jersey, including Elizabeth, Camden, and Jersey City along with Evesham and Bedminster through mid-January.
Sonic Boom
Residents all over New Jersey reported hearing an extremely loud bang in July of 2024. NASA reported it may have been a meteor. The fireball was seen over New York City moving 34,000 miles per hour. It reportedly passed over the Statue of Liberty before it disintegrated 29 miles above Manhattan. Residents from Montclair to The Shore reported seeing and hearing a loud noise.
2024 Paris Olympics
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Over 20 athletes from New Jersey helped bring home Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. From the track to several different courts to the pool, these Jersey athletes gave it their all to help bring home some of the 40 Gold Medals for Team USA.
NJ Transit Headaches
Each month brought a new story about NJ Transit in our slice of New Jersey. There were delays and cancellations all winter and summer. Fare hikes took effect over the summer bumping up bus and train tickets. The clouded windows commuters would try to see out of are being replaced. To cap it off, the CEO of NJ Transit announced his resignation in December of 2024.
The Northern Lights
Photo Credit: Jordan + Joelle Hernandez
The magic of an Aurora Borealis visited New Jersey in October 2024. While the Northern Lights are commonly seen in Scandinavian countries, for a brief moment this fall it could be seen over parts of New Jersey. Mostly with the help of a camera lens, hues of purple and pink and a touch of green glowed in the sky. The phenomenon is caused by geomagnetic activity or geomagnetic storms, and could also be seen in different parts of the Northeast.
The Boss’s Homecoming
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlined the music festival Sea. Hear. Now. in Asbury Park in September of 2024. The New Jersey native played some of his classics and a few deep cuts while reminiscing on his start down the shore. Tens of thousands of festival-goers took over the beach to hear classics like Thunder Road and Born To Run. The concert and a special interview about Bruce’s New Jersey background were also featured in Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets, an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
Martha Stewart Shouts Out New Jersey
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The cultural icon Martha Stewart reflected on growing up in New Jersey in the Netflix documentary, Martha, released in November 2024. Her family emigrated from Poland to Jersey City, where Martha spent the first few years of her life. Then they made the switch from city living to the suburbs where she spent most of her childhood in Nutley. When she left for college, she never moved back to New Jersey, but did visit her childhood home while shooting a Food Network show in 2018.
See More: MOJO Coffee Opening Jersey City Location
Plenty more headlines are sure to come in 2025. To stay up to date on the latest Montclair + Northern New Jersey news, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok, sign up for our newsletter that shares the top stories in your inbox here, and check out our events calendar.
