Animal Welfare Association
A Legacy of Compassion
Founded in 1948, the Animal Welfare Association is dedicated to eliminating animal suffering, promoting the human-animal bond, and improving the role of animals in our community's well-being. As South Jersey's oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.
Our Mission in Action
We are a private, non-profit organization that receives no government funding, relying instead on the generosity of our community. We operate the region’s largest low-cost pet clinic, providing accessible medical care, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services to keep pets healthy and with the families who love them.
A Community-Centered Approach
Our shelter in Voorhees, NJ, is more than just a home for homeless pets; it is a hub for resources. Through onsite behavioral training, community outreach, and humane education programs, we provide the tools needed to help pets thrive in their forever homes.
Finding Your Perfect Match
We believe that adopting a pet is a joyful, life-changing experience that gives animals a well-deserved second chance. Our dedicated counselors facilitate thoughtful, supportive adoptions, ensuring each pet is matched with a home where they can flourish regardless of age or background.
Join Our Mission
We invite you to visit our adoption center, explore our current residents, or volunteer to make a difference in a shelter pet's life today. Together, we can continue to create a compassionate community where every animal and person can thrive.
Trust Assessment
GoldRated Sep 20, 2026
NonprofitVerifiedPhysical FacilityOperating 50+ years
FinancesOnline Review Highlights
- Knowledgeable and compassionate staff
- Clean and well-maintained facility
- Operational friction and long wait times
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How we assessCoverage We Reviewed
NBC10 Philadelphia
8/15 - Clear the Shelters: Meet Phoenix and Chips
Chips and Phoenix stopped by for some serious snuggle time—and yes, they’re both available for adoption at the Animal Welfare Association! Even better: AWA’s “It’s Raining Cats” promotion means Chips, Phoenix, and tons of their cat and kitten friends have reduced $75 adoption fees right now.
Recent Videos
10/15 - What's one good thing you saw today? For us, it's our trap, neuter, return (TNR) program that supports feral cats and their caregivers. We provide spay/neuter surgery, rabies and FVRCP vaccination, and ear tip for identification! Help us prove that good still exists in the world! Post one good thing you saw today on TikTok. Tag AWA and @greatergoodcharities , and use #goodexistschallenge. Submit your video at the link in our bio. By nominating us, you give us a chance of winning $50,000 to continue our mission of saving lives, spreading compassion, and connecting homeless pets with loving families. For more information, visit the link in our bio! #goodexistschallenge #trapneuterreturn #animalshelter #animalwelfare #awanj
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10/14 - This Autumn, turn your love into action for animals who need it most. We invite you to make a meaningful donation that directly supports the care of shelter pets waiting for homes. 💙🐾 Your gift helps provide comfort, protection, and life-saving support for animals in our care. From enrichment and treats to vaccines, medical care, and daily essentials, every donation directly impacts the animals. They help them feel safe, loved and cared for while they wait for their forever families to find them. Please pick an adoptable animal from our website to dedicate your decoration. Your choice will be shared throughout the shelter during the month of October and November to help decorate our pumpkin patch. For more information, please visit the link in our bio. #fallintolove #animalshelter #awanj #fundraiser
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10/12 - Episode 2: Who's the Toy Lover? Joker In this episode, Detective Wogs investigates Joker! A one year old pointer mix who brings joy and laughter to everyone at the shelter. His playful nature and zest for life will surely brighten your days. He's currently up for adoption and ready to find his forever family. As Paul continues his investigation, our Howl-O-Ween bash is THIS FRIDAY and Paul needs those toys for trunk or treat! Follow along to see the next toy lover: Mama Bun. Whoever did it will be revealed at our trunk or treat! 🎃Free Admission 🎃Friday. October 16 🎃5pm-8pm 🎃Animal Welfare Association; 509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees, NJ 08043 #halloween #animalshelter #communityevent
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10/12 - One of our wonderful volunteers, Denise, discusses dog walking at AWA! Denise enjoys walking all of our dogs and today, she walked Haaland. Haaland is looking for his forever home and volunteers like Denise, ensures he gets his zoomies out while he waits. This sweet, friendly pup loves to play and explore, always curious about the world around him. Adopt Haaland and fill your life with fun and companionship! Breed: Retriever, Labrador/Mix Age: 1 year Gender: Male 📍Animal Welfare Association; 509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees, NJ 08043 #adoptdontshop #dogadoption #puppyadoption #animalshelter #awanj #volunteering
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10/9 - Trick or treat but it's just treats! With our Howl-O-Ween Bash just a week away, we had to get our shelter dogs in on the fun! Join us for AWA’s annual Howl-O-Ween bash! Spooky vendors, delicious food, free activities and crafts for little monsters, trunk or treat, eerie cocktails and wicked music await you! 🎃Free admission 👻Friday, October 23 🎃5pm-8pm 👻Animal Welfare Association; 509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees, NJ 08043 The Stuff the Subaru challenge will be occuring during the event. We will be accepting pet food, toys and treats in hopes to stuff a whole Subaru! Your donations will directly impact the homeless pets here at the AWA through enrichment, food and daily essentials! We'll see you there!🐾🎃 #Halloween #animalshelter #CommunityEvent #stuffthesubaru
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10/8 - Through our adoption center, clinic, education department and community engagement, we work to eliminate animal suffering, promote the importance of human-animal bond and improve the roles of animals in the well-being of people. That’s why we’re entering the #goodexistschallenge from @greatergoodcharities, where we have the chance to win $50,000 to support our mission, and we need your help! Help us show the good and join us in the #goodexistschallenge: Create a 60 second TikTok sharing one good thing you witnessed, tag our organization and @greatergoodcharities , and use #goodexistschallenge. Your story could help fund even more good in our community!🐾💙 Learn more at the link in our bio! #goodexistschallenge
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10/6 - Meet Freya! Freya has been with us for 87 days and looking for her forever home! She may be 9, but don't let her age fool you. She's just as playful, loving and loyal as our younger dogs. She may be shy at first, but once she warms up, she'll be your best buddy! 🐾💙 Breed: Chow Chow/Mix Age: 9 years Gender: Female Freya qualifies for our Can't Buy Me Love program and our Seniors for Seniors program. Can't Buy Me Love: Adoption fee is waived Seniors for Seniors: Adoption fee is waived for adopters aged 60+, live in Camden County, NJ and meet AWA's adoption guidelines #adoptdontshop #dogadoption #shelteranimals #awanj
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10/2 - Some new items for @awa_nj ! (PepperAnne’s original stomping ground, where we found her desperate for love and attention and a home, playfully tapping a little toy ball in her little cage while making eye contact (spoiler alert: it worked)) Items can be purchased directly through @awa_nj and help support the many animals who are still awaiting their forever homes and families!
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10/1 - With Howl-O-Ween just 2 weeks away, Detective Wogs is on the case of the missing toys! The first dog of interest: Edwin. Edwin has been at AWA for 76 days, in search for his forever home. His favorite activities? Learning new tricks, going on walks, but most importantly, spending time with you! He's always ready to go on an adventure and will add so much joy to your life. Visit him today and give him his second chance! Breed: Mixed Breed Age: 1 year Gender: Male Size: Medium Edwin's adoption fee is waived, as he is part of our Can't Buy Me Love Program AWA's Howl-O-Ween bash will take place on Friday, October 16 from 5pm-8pm on AWA campus! Will Paul find the toy lover before AWA's Howl-O-Ween bash? With more toy lovers to examine, stay tuned for next week as this case just got a lot spookier👻🐾 #halloween #dogadoption #animalshelter #awanj
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10/1 - One of our lovely volunteers, Maha sat down to discuss Blakelee, a friendly and playful pup whose been at the shelter for 137 days. She's incredibly intelligent and has a big heart, all she needs is a family to share it with. Maha is a dog walker here at AWA and enjoys spending time with Blakelee. She helps Blakelee get out her zoomies! The dog walking volunteers help AWA ensure dogs get the exercise they need as they wait for their forever homes. You may be the family Blakelee is looking for. Come meet her today! Breed: Hound/Shepherd Age: 10 months Gender: Female Size: Medium 📍Animal Welfare Association; 509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees, NJ 08043
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9/29 - The high stress of being in the kennel can sometimes alter a dog's personality, and they often get overlooked. In the kennel, Zalani paces in a circle with her toy, but once she's outside, her true personality shines. She's sweet, friendly, smart, and loves to play! She's looking for her forever home where she can run free. Zalani is one of our many homeless pets who are completely different when outside the kennel. They are looking for their second chance. Come meet them today! #dogadoption #puppyadoption #animalshelter #awanj
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9/24 - We are so excited for Raise the Woof, we built a miniature house early for our Chief Affection Officer, Paul! At Raise the Woof: A Women's Build, you'll have more than just cardboard, tape and scissors, you will build two Snoopy-inspired dog houses🐾You'll learn new construction skills, get comfortable with power tools, and create something special for shelter pets! The completed dog houses will be part of a prize drawing for October adopters at AWA, giving two lucky adopters the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind dog house for their new best friend. What to know: 💎 Women-only event 👷 Work together at rotating hands-on stations 🥾 Sneakers or closed-toe shoes are required 🥽 Safety glasses and masks will be provided 🎟️ Limited tickets available 🐾$30 per person - 🗓Sunday, September 27 🕛10am-2pm 📍Diamonds & Drillbits, 3863 Sylon Blvd, Hainesport, NJ 08036 Register today at the link in our bio!
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