Southern Ocean County Animal Facility
Our Mission
The Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter are dedicated to preventing cruelty, promoting kindness, and reducing the population of homeless companion animals. We are passionate about giving every pet the chance for a bright, loving future through public advocacy and support.
Our History
Organized in 1990, our organization was founded with a singular goal: to establish a dedicated animal shelter for Southern Ocean County. Through collaborative efforts with local leadership and the Ocean County Board of Freeholders, we successfully created the facility we support today at 360 Haywood Road.
How We Help
We operate as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, providing essential shelter equipment and supplementary medical care to ensure high standards for all animals in our facility. Beyond the shelter, our dedicated network of volunteers manages active foster programs for cats and dogs, bottle-fed kitten care, and a compassionate Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program to manage feral cat populations humanely.
The Adopter Connection
Adoption is a joyful partnership, and we strive to make the process as supportive as possible for both pets and families. We carefully match our residents—whether in foster care, at our PetSmart adoption centers, or at the shelter—with adopters who have the time and resources to provide a long-term home. By bringing your existing pets to meet our shelter residents, we ensure a happy and compatible transition for everyone involved.
Join Our Mission
Whether you are ready to open your heart to a new companion or want to support our work through volunteering or donations, we invite you to connect with us. Visit our Adopt page to browse our current residents or contact us to learn more about how you can make a lasting difference in the lives of animals in Southern Ocean County.
- Wonderful staff
- Clean facilities
- Unprofessional staff behavior
9/14 - Ocean County ‘Clear The Shelters’ Event Puts Pets On The Path Home
MANAHAWKIN – The barking inside the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility could be heard before the doors opened. Outside, families waited in the heat, some talking about kittens and others naming the dogs they had already picked out online. This was not a crowd that had come merely to look. Several people had […]
