What Burlington County Animal Shelter Does

Burlington County Animal Shelter is the county animal shelter located at 35 Academy Drive in Westampton, New Jersey. It serves as the rabies control point for the 40 municipalities of Burlington County and operates within the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Burlington County Health Department.

The shelter is used for short-term sheltering of stray dogs, cats, and other small animals. It also helps reunite lost pets with owners, supports adoption placement, works with volunteers and rescue partners, and provides a county-level resource for residents dealing with stray or unwanted animals.

Burlington County Animal Shelter Public Walk-Through Hours

The shelter lists public walk-through hours separately from application processing. The most important visitor detail is the “last showing” time. If the shelter closes at 4 PM, the last showing is listed at 3:30 PM. On Thursday, the shelter remains open later for public walk-throughs, with the last showing listed at 6:30 PM.

How Burlington County Animal Shelter Adoption Works

The shelter’s adoption flow is not just “walk in and take a pet home.” Burlington County asks visitors to review available animals, submit a general adoption application, allow time for application processing, and complete a phone interview before an in-person meet-and-greet is scheduled.

1. Search available pets online: Review the county’s cats available for adoption and dogs available for adoption listings first.
2. Choose animals you are interested in: Keep a backup list because animal availability can change quickly.
3. Submit the General Adoption Application: Use the county’s application link rather than waiting until the last minute.
4. Allow 24 to 72 hours for processing: The county notes that an adoption advocate will reach out for a phone interview after application review.
5. Prepare renter and vet information: Renters should bring pet-policy information. Current or recent pet owners should be ready with vet records.
6. Schedule the meet-and-greet: Once the phone interview is completed, an in-person meet-and-greet can be scheduled.
7. Finish the adoption if approved: Confirm the current fee, pickup requirements, and any post-adoption instructions before leaving.

Burlington County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees

Burlington County publishes adoption fees for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. The county also states that adoption fees are waived for Burlington County employees, seniors, and military personnel. Promotions or special rates may occasionally apply, so check the official fees page before finalizing an adoption.

Surrender Fees and Resident Requirement

Burlington County’s fee page states that to surrender an animal to the shelter, you must be a county resident. The published surrender fee is lower for altered animals and higher for unaltered animals, which is another reason to call ahead before bringing a pet.

Lost Pets and Reclaim Help in Burlington County

The shelter provides essential services for reuniting lost pets with their owners. If your pet is missing, act quickly. Search the available shelter animals, contact the correct municipal animal-control channel, and prepare proof of ownership before visiting.

Useful proof may include clear photos, veterinary records, microchip information, license records, adoption paperwork, or a description of unique markings. The sooner you check, the easier it is to match your animal to a shelter intake record.

What to Bring for an Adoption Visit

• Government-issued photo ID.
• Completed or submitted general adoption application.
• Pet-policy information if you rent.
• Veterinary records if you currently own or recently owned an animal.
• Proof of eligibility if claiming waived fees as a county employee, senior, or military personnel.
• Payment method for adoption or surrender fees if applicable.
• A carrier, leash, or safe transport plan if adoption is approved.
• A list of questions about the pet’s age, health, behavior, temperament, and household fit.

Official Burlington County Animal Shelter Links

Use official Burlington County links for current walk-through hours, available pets, adoption applications, fees, promotions, animal control contacts, and rehoming information. Third-party pet listings can be helpful, but final adoption details should come from the county.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Arriving after the last showing time: The shelter lists last showing at 3:30 PM on most days and 6:30 PM on Thursday.
• Expecting a cage-free meet without an application: The county says animals cannot be shown out of the cage until a completed and reviewed application is on file.
• Forgetting renter documents: If you rent, bring pet-policy information to avoid delays.
• Not having vet records ready: Current or recent pet owners should be prepared with veterinary records.
• Assuming Wednesday is normal browsing day: Wednesday is closed for public walk-throughs and is listed as appointments only.
• Using outdated fee information: Check the official fees page because promotions and special rates may change.

Source Verification and Accuracy Note

Visitor Snapshot: Is This the Right Shelter for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Takeaway

Burlington County Animal Shelter is a practical county resource for pet adoption, lost-and-found animal help, stray animal sheltering, and municipal animal-control routing in Burlington County, New Jersey. For adopters, the most important steps are to check available pets online, submit the general adoption application, allow 24 to 72 hours for processing, and plan your visit around public walk-through hours and last showing times.