One of the dogs showcased at the shelter’s open house is Cookie, who was surrendered to the shelter after her owner became homeless.
Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrated for the team taking home the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 9, but before the big game, the Burlington County Animal Shelter and the Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter hosted the second annual “Tail”-gate” open house.
“Super Bowl Sunday is a special occasion for families and friends to get together, and we’re looking to make it extra special by connecting people to our shelter’s champion pets,” said county Commissioner Tyler J. Burrell, liaison to the animal shelter.
The event included the shelter’s version of a training camp obstacle course and other football and animal-themed games and activities. Visitors also watched part of the Discovery Channel’s “Puppy Bowl.” And as an incentive, all adoption fees were waived the entire Super Bowl week from Feb. 2 through the open house.
“When you’re doing something different, it always just brings people out, and they’re just curious to see what it’s all about,” said shelter director Ericka Haines of the Super Bowl theme. “So we just thought it was something that would just make people laugh.
“In today’s society with all the news going on, we just wanted there to be something positive on a tough subject.”
Among the available pets at the shelter is Buddy, a 4-year-old pit bull terrier who first came to the shelter in 2022. He’s described as a very outgoing dog who loves both exercise and cuddles. Last year, Chief, a pit bull terrier mix who was the shelter’s longest canine resident, was one of five dogs adopted during the shelter’s Super Bowl open house.
“When we have events like this and we’re able to bring animals outside of the kennels that they’re in and people get to see them in a different light, it gives them a reason to be positive and think of an animal shelter as a good thing for animals,” Haines explained.
Last year, 1,344 cats and 453 dogs were adopted from the shelter. Residents who are unable to adopt or foster can still help the facility and the animals housed there by following its social media and spreading the word about the available dogs and cats there. Information and photos of all the shelter’s available dogs and cats can be found online at www.co.burlington.nj.us/1446/Available-for-Adoption.
“We understand how important animals are in everybody’s lives,” Haines noted, “and we also know how busy people are, so we always try to find different ways to show that animals can be incorporated – even into your busy days.”
