Burlington County Westampton Animal Shelter & Adoption 2026

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Westampton, New Jersey Shelter Guide

Burlington County Animal Shelter Westampton New Jersey & Adoption 2026

Use this guide before visiting Burlington County Animal Shelter in Westampton, New Jersey. It covers adoption hours, animal viewing, application steps, phone number, address, fees, surrender rules, animal-control routing, lost-pet help, map directions and official county links.

The shelter is a county facility and serves as the rabies control point for Burlington County’s 40 municipalities. Check adoptable pets online first, then prepare your application information before visiting so your trip is not wasted.

View Available Pets Adoption Process Hours & Map
35 Academy Drive Westampton NJ 08060 609-265-5073 Wednesday appointment only Dogs, cats, strays & surrender help
Fast answer: Burlington County Animal Shelter is located at 35 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ 08060. The shelter phone number is 609-265-5073. Public walk-through hours are listed as Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM–4 PM with last showing at 3:30 PM, Thursday from 12 PM–7 PM with last showing at 6:30 PM, and Wednesday closed for public walk-throughs with appointments only.

Burlington County Animal Shelter Quick Details

These are the most important details to check before you drive to the Westampton shelter, submit an adoption application, reclaim a pet, or ask about surrendering an animal.

MAP

Address

35 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ 08060.

Some direction pages also mention the County Facilities Complex and nearby Pioneer Boulevard.

CALL

Phone

609-265-5073.

Call for adoption, application, meet-and-greet, surrender, reclaim and current pet questions.

HRS

Viewing hours

Most public days are 12 PM–4 PM.

Thursday is longer: 12 PM–7 PM. Wednesday is appointment only.

APP

Application first

Animals are not shown out of the cage until an application is completed and reviewed.

Best first step: View available pets online, submit the general adoption application, then wait for the shelter’s adoption advocate contact. If you rent, collect pet-policy details before visiting. If you currently own or recently owned a pet, bring or prepare vet records.

What Burlington County Animal Shelter Helps With

This is not only an adoption page. Burlington County Animal Shelter is a county facility used for stray dogs, cats and other small animals, and it also supports rabies-control responsibilities across county municipalities.

Adoption

Dogs and cats

The county lists cats and dogs available for adoption and provides a general adoption application for interested adopters.

County role

Rabies control point

The shelter serves as the rabies control point for Burlington County’s 40 municipalities through the County Health Department.

Stray and unwanted pets

County residents

The shelter is also a place where county residents can take stray and unwanted animals, following shelter rules and capacity.

Important distinction: Animal shelter, adoption, surrender and animal-control dispatch are not always the same thing. For field animal-control issues, check Burlington County’s “Animal Control by Municipality” list because each municipality can have a different contact organization and phone number.

Burlington County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026

The county lists hours of operation for public walk-throughs and also gives separate last-showing times. Plan around the last-showing cutoff, not only the building closing time.

Public Viewing Last Showing Matters Call first

Current listed public walk-through schedule

Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are listed as 12 PM–4 PM with last showing at 3:30 PM. Thursday is 12 PM–7 PM with last showing at 6:30 PM. Wednesday is closed for public walk-throughs and appointments only.

For adoption, do not arrive at the last minute. You may need application review before an animal can be shown out of the cage.
Day Public Walk-Through Hours Last Showing Best Visitor Use
Monday 12 PM–4 PM 3:30 PM Good for starting adoption viewing after checking pets online.
Tuesday 12 PM–4 PM 3:30 PM Good for follow-up visits and application questions.
Wednesday Closed for public walk-throughs Appointment only Do not expect normal public viewing. Use online listings or scheduled appointments.
Thursday 12 PM–7 PM 6:30 PM Best longer weekday window for working visitors.
Friday 12 PM–4 PM 3:30 PM Good before weekend traffic, but still check pet availability first.
Saturday 12 PM–4 PM 3:30 PM Good for families, but arrive early because the window is limited.
Sunday 12 PM–4 PM 3:30 PM Useful weekend window; confirm holiday changes before driving.
Do not miss the cutoff: If the shelter closes at 4 PM, the last showing is listed at 3:30 PM. For Thursday, last showing is listed at 6:30 PM. Arriving after the last-showing time may mean you cannot meet the animal that day.

How Adoption Works at Burlington County Animal Shelter

Burlington County’s adoption process is application-first. The shelter wants a completed and reviewed application before an animal is shown out of the cage.

View available animals online

Start with the county’s Available for Adoption page. This helps you see current dogs and cats before you visit.

Submit the general adoption application

If you find an animal you are interested in, use the General Adoption Application link from the official county adoption page.

Allow processing time

The county says to allow 24 to 72 hours for application processing. An adoption advocate will reach out for a phone interview.

Complete the phone interview

After the phone interview, the shelter can schedule an in-person meet and greet for the animal.

Meet the animal in person

Be prepared with renter pet-policy details and vet records if they apply. Animals are not shown out of the cage until the application is completed and reviewed.

Good adopter question: Ask, “What should I expect during the first two weeks at home?” This gives you better information about adjustment, training, medical needs, resident pets, children and home fit.

Burlington County Animal Shelter Adoption and Surrender Fees

County fees are listed publicly, but promotions and waivers may change. Always confirm current fees before visiting or paying.

DOG

Dogs

$75 is the listed adoption fee for dogs.

PUP

Puppies

$100 is the listed adoption fee for puppies less than 6 months.

CAT

Cats

$45 is the listed adoption fee for cats.

KIT

Kittens

$60 is the listed adoption fee for kittens less than 6 months.

Fee waivers

Ask before paying

The county fee page lists waivers for Burlington County employees, seniors and military personnel. County news also describes waived fees for certain first responders.

Surrender altered

$25 fee

The listed surrender fee is $25 for an altered dog or cat, and surrender is by appointment.

Surrender unaltered

$45 fee

The listed surrender fee is $45 for an unaltered dog or cat. Bite-related surrender fees may be higher.

Fee planning note: Adoption fees are not the only cost. Plan for food, supplies, licensing if required, vet follow-up, preventives, training, grooming, litter, carriers and emergency care.

What to Bring Before Visiting Burlington County Animal Shelter

A prepared visitor saves time. The county specifically mentions renter pet-policy information and vet records as helpful for application review.

ID

Photo ID

Bring a government ID so staff can confirm your information for adoption, reclaim or surrender questions.

LEASE

Pet policy if renting

If you rent, bring lease pet-policy details, landlord contact information or written approval if needed.

VET

Vet records

If you own or recently owned an animal, prepare vet records to help the application move faster.

CAT

Cat carrier

Bring a secure carrier if adopting a cat or kitten may happen soon after approval.

DOG

Dog transport plan

Have a leash, harness or safe vehicle plan ready for dog adoption or reclaim situations.

TIME

Enough time

Do not arrive near last showing if you expect to ask questions, discuss an application or meet an animal.

Animal Control by Municipality in Burlington County

For field animal-control issues, Burlington County publishes a municipality-by-municipality contact list. Westampton is listed with New Jersey Animal Control at 609-685-3384, but other towns may use different agencies or dispatch numbers.

Westampton

New Jersey Animal Control

The county list shows Westampton using New Jersey Animal Control at 609-685-3384.

Other towns

Check the official list

Burlington County municipalities use different animal-control providers, police dispatch numbers or contracted services.

Immediate danger

Use emergency help

For attacks, severe injury, dangerous animals or immediate public-safety risk, use emergency services.

Call script: “Hi, I’m calling about an animal issue at [exact address/intersection] in [municipality]. The animal is [dog/cat/other], the situation is [loose/injured/aggressive/found/bite], and it is happening [now/earlier today]. Is this the correct animal-control contact for that municipality?”

Lost and Found Pets Near Westampton

Because the shelter handles stray animals from across the county, in-person checking and fast reporting matter. Online listings help, but they should not replace direct contact when your pet is missing.

If your pet is missing

  • Check Burlington County’s available and shelter pages regularly.
  • Call the shelter at 609-265-5073 with a clear description and microchip details.
  • Visit in person during public hours when possible.
  • Contact the animal-control provider for the municipality where the pet went missing.
  • Update microchip contact information immediately.

If you found a pet

  • Do not put yourself at risk with an injured, scared or aggressive animal.
  • Note the exact location, time, direction of travel and visible condition.
  • Call the correct municipal animal-control contact if pickup is needed.
  • Ask about microchip scanning and stray-intake procedure.
  • Do not permanently rehome a found pet without following local rules.
Fast reunion tip: A clear photo, exact location and current microchip phone number can help reunite a pet faster than a vague social media post alone.

Rehoming and Owner Surrender at Burlington County Animal Shelter

The county recommends trying to rehome your pet safely yourself first through friends, family, neighbors or a rehoming platform. If that fails, the shelter accepts owned cats and dogs by appointment with surrender fees.

Before surrendering

  • Ask trusted family, neighbors and friends if they can help.
  • Use safe rehoming routes when appropriate.
  • Gather vet records, behavior notes and bite history.
  • Ask about temporary support if food, housing or supplies are the real issue.
  • Never abandon an animal outside the shelter.

Surrender fee guide

  • $25 is listed for an altered dog or cat.
  • $45 is listed for an unaltered dog or cat.
  • $145 is listed if the animal has bitten within the last 10 days.
  • Surrender is by appointment only.
  • You must be a county resident to surrender an animal to the shelter.
Be honest during surrender: Bite history, illness, medications, fear, aggression, litter-box issues, escape behavior and separation problems matter. Accurate information helps the shelter make safer placement decisions.

Rabies Control, Safety and Public Health

Burlington County Animal Shelter operates within the County Health Department and serves as the county rabies control point. That makes bite reporting, quarantine guidance and municipal animal-control routing especially important.

BITE

Bite situations

If an animal bite happened, contact the correct local authority promptly and follow official public-health instructions.

RAB

Rabies control

The shelter’s role includes county rabies-control responsibilities, so do not ignore bite or exposure concerns.

MUNI

Municipal routing

Use the county animal-control-by-municipality list for the correct field contact in the town where the incident happened.

Safety note: Do not handle wildlife, unknown stray animals or visibly sick animals without official guidance. For urgent danger, use emergency services.

Burlington County Animal Shelter Map, Directions & Arrival Tips

Use this map for directions to 35 Academy Drive in Westampton. If your navigation app has trouble, search for Burlington County Animal Shelter or the County Facilities Complex near Woodlane Road and Pioneer Boulevard.

Map is for visit planning only. Use your navigation app for live traffic, road work, facility signage and route changes.
EARLY

Arrive before last showing

Plan around 3:30 PM last showing on most public days and 6:30 PM on Thursday.

APP

Application matters

Animals are not shown out of the cage until your application is completed and reviewed.

DOCS

Bring documents

Bring pet-policy details if renting and vet records if you own or recently owned an animal.

Choose Your Best Route Before You Visit

This quick decision section helps you avoid showing up unprepared or calling the wrong animal-control contact.

I want to adopt

Check available pets, submit the general adoption application, allow 24–72 hours for processing, complete the phone interview, then attend the meet-and-greet.

I lost my pet

Call the shelter, check online listings, visit in person during hours and contact the animal-control provider for the municipality where your pet went missing.

I found an animal

Keep yourself safe, note exact location, contact the correct municipal animal-control provider and ask about intake or microchip scanning.

I need to surrender

Try safe rehoming first, gather records, call for appointment rules and prepare the correct surrender fee if surrender is accepted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at Burlington County Animal Shelter

Most delays happen because visitors skip the application, miss last-showing time, forget renter paperwork, or call the wrong animal-control provider.

Before visiting

  • Do not arrive after the last-showing time and expect to meet an animal.
  • Do not expect a Wednesday public walk-through without an appointment.
  • Do not assume you can meet animals out of the cage before application review.
  • Do not forget pet-policy information if you rent.
  • Do not forget vet records if you own or recently owned a pet.

Before adoption or surrender

  • Do not rely on old screenshots for pet availability.
  • Do not hide bite history or behavior concerns during surrender.
  • Do not assume all adoption fees are waived for every visitor.
  • Do not call the shelter for a field issue without checking municipality routing.
  • Do not permanently rehome a found animal without following local steps.

Burlington County Animal Shelter FAQ

Where is Burlington County Animal Shelter located?

Burlington County Animal Shelter is located at 35 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ 08060.

What is the phone number for Burlington County Animal Shelter?

The shelter phone number is 609-265-5073.

What are Burlington County Animal Shelter adoption hours?

Public walk-through hours are listed as Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM–4 PM with last showing at 3:30 PM, Thursday from 12 PM–7 PM with last showing at 6:30 PM, and Wednesday by appointment only.

Can I meet an animal without an application?

The county states that animals cannot be shown out of the cage until an adoption application is completed and reviewed.

How long does Burlington County Animal Shelter application processing take?

The county says to allow 24 to 72 hours for an application to be processed, after which an adoption advocate may contact you for a phone interview.

How much are dog adoption fees at Burlington County Animal Shelter?

The listed adoption fee is $75 for dogs and $100 for puppies less than 6 months. Confirm current fees and promotions before adopting.

How much are cat adoption fees at Burlington County Animal Shelter?

The listed adoption fee is $45 for cats and $60 for kittens less than 6 months. Confirm current fees and promotions before adopting.

Does Burlington County Animal Shelter waive adoption fees?

The county fee page lists waived adoption fees for Burlington County employees, seniors and military personnel. County news has also described waivers for certain first responders. Confirm eligibility directly before visiting.

Does Burlington County Animal Shelter accept owner surrenders?

Yes, but owned cats and dogs are accepted by appointment only, surrender fees apply, and you must be a county resident.

What is the surrender fee at Burlington County Animal Shelter?

The listed surrender fee is $25 for an altered dog or cat and $45 for an unaltered dog or cat. If the animal has bitten within the last 10 days, the listed surrender fee is $145.

Who handles animal control in Westampton?

Burlington County’s animal-control-by-municipality list shows Westampton using New Jersey Animal Control at 609-685-3384. Always verify with the official list before calling.

Final Take: Prepare Before Visiting the Westampton Shelter

Burlington County Animal Shelter in Westampton is the main county shelter resource for adoption, stray animals, unwanted animals, surrender questions, lost-pet checks, rabies-control routing and municipality-based animal-control guidance.

The biggest visitor mistakes are arriving after last showing, skipping the application, forgetting renter pet-policy information, assuming a pet is still available without checking, or calling the wrong animal-control provider. Check official listings, prepare your documents, and call 609-265-5073 when you need current instructions.

Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with Burlington County Animal Shelter, Burlington County Government, the Burlington County Health Department, New Jersey Animal Control, Petplace, Formstack, or any official shelter portal. Always verify current hours, fees, pet availability, animal-control routing, surrender rules and adoption requirements with official sources before visiting.

USA-wide shelter helper • adoption, lost pets, found pets, surrender and animal control

Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper

Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.

Lost Pet PlanSearch, microchip, shelter checks, flyers
Found Pet HelpSafety, scanning, reporting, holding
Adoption PlannerReadiness, questions, supplies, budget
Visit ChecklistDocuments, call script, official links

Build a USA-wide shelter action plan

Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.

Important: Shelter rules vary by city, county, agency, and animal type. Always confirm hours, intake rules, fees, appointment requirements, and proof-of-ownership rules with the official shelter or animal control agency before visiting.

Lost pet recovery checklist

Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.

0% completed

Found pet safety decision helper

Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.

Safety first: Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped, or traffic-endangered animal if doing so could put you or others at risk. Contact animal control, emergency services, or a qualified professional when needed.

Adoption readiness checker

This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.

0% readiness signals checked

Pet reclaim document checklist

If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.

Owner surrender preparation helper

Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.

Helpful reminder: Ask the shelter about pet food pantries, low-cost vet care, behavior support, temporary foster options, and safe rehoming resources before making a final decision.

Animal control contact decision helper

Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.

Emergency warning: If there is immediate danger to a person, a serious bite, traffic hazard, or active attack, contact local emergency services or animal control according to local rules.

Adoption and first-month budget planner

This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.

Your generated shelter plan

Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.

Start with the Planner tab

Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.

USA-wide Shelter user intent Official-source focused

Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.

Independent shelter-help tool. Not affiliated with any animal shelter, humane society, rescue, animal control agency, city, county, state agency, veterinarian, or microchip company. Always confirm current rules, hours, fees, and requirements directly with the official organization.