Gloucester County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours, Pet Fees, Lost Pets, Animal Control, Rabies Clinics & Working Cats
Use official Gloucester County Animal Shelter resources to check adoption office hours, submit a pre-adoption application, browse available pets, understand dog and cat adoption fees, report lost or stray animals, contact animal control, handle animal bite or cruelty questions, use the working cat program, check rabies clinic information, volunteer, foster, donate, and avoid confusing Gloucester County, New Jersey with Gloucester County, Virginia, Gloucester City, private rescue pages, or old social media posts.
If you are searching for gloucester county animal shelter, choose the task closest to what you need. This finder points users to the correct official Gloucester County route for adoption, shelter hours, pet listings, lost pets, stray animals, animal control, adoption fees, rabies clinics, working cats, volunteering, fostering and donations.
Choose one option. The official action card below updates for Gloucester County adoption, hours, pet lists, lost pets, strays, animal control, fees, pre-adoption forms, rabies clinics, working cats, volunteering, fostering and donations.
🐶 Adopt a pet — start with official Gloucester County adoption services
Use this for: dogs, cats, kittens, puppies and other adoptable animals at Gloucester County Animal Shelter.
Best official path: submit the pre-adoption application, call 856-881-2828 and press 1 for adoptions, then discuss the pet and meet-and-greet steps with the adoption team.
Before you go: adopters must be at least 18, dog adoptions require all household dogs to meet the shelter dog, and approved applications stay on file for one year.
Gloucester County Animal Shelter Quick Facts Before You Visit
Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312. The main shelter phone number is 856-881-2828. Press 1 for adoptions, press 2 for animal control, and press 3 for administration or general questions.
The Adoption Office is open Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. The Adoption Office is closed on Sundays and all national holidays.
What This Gloucester County Animal Shelter Guide Covers
Gloucester County Animal Shelter Hours, Address and Phone Numbers
Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312. The main phone number is 856-881-2828. The shelter’s phone menu routes adoption calls, animal control calls, and administration or general questions.
Adoption Office hours are Monday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. The Adoption Office is closed on Sundays and all national holidays. Gloucester County also posts a separate holiday-hours page listing major holidays when the shelter is closed.
1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
Use this location for adoption visits, approved meet-and-greets, lost-pet checks, animal control questions, donations, volunteer and foster questions, and official shelter services.
Monday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: closed.
Main: 856-881-2828.
Press 1: Adoptions.
Press 2: Animal Control.
Press 3: Administration / general questions.
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fax: 856-307-7119.
How to Adopt From Gloucester County Animal Shelter
Gloucester County Animal Shelter uses a pre-adoption application process. Once your application is approved, the adoption team discusses the pet you are interested in and, if the match looks right, helps set up a meet-and-greet. Approved applications stay on file with the shelter for one year.
You must be at least 18 years old to adopt a pet. Gloucester County encourages the entire family to come in to meet the pet. For dog adoptions, all dogs already in the household must meet the shelter dog before adoption. This is not a small detail; dog-to-dog compatibility can decide whether an adoption works or fails.
View available pets and choose carefully
Start with the official Our Pet List page or Petfinder listing, then make a short list of pets that may fit your home, budget, schedule, activity level and current animals.
Submit the pre-adoption application
Use the online pre-adoption application or printable application. The form asks about your household, housing, current pets, veterinarian information and pet preferences.
Talk with the adoption team
After approval, the adoption team discusses the pet you want and may suggest other pets that better match your family. Treat that advice seriously, not as an obstacle.
Bring family and resident dogs when needed
Bring the entire family when possible. For dog adoptions, all household dogs must meet the shelter dog so staff can watch for compatibility issues.
Sign the adoption contract and pay the fee
When the match is approved, you sign the adoption contract and pay the current adoption fee. Ask for the included medical, vaccination, microchip and spay/neuter details before leaving.
Gloucester County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees and What Is Included
Gloucester County posts adoption fees by pet age and animal type. Cats and kittens 5 years and younger are listed at $95, while cats 6 and older have the adoption fee waived. Dogs and puppies 5 years and younger are listed at $125, while dogs 6 and older have the adoption fee waived.
Discounted adoption fees are listed for military veterans and senior citizens. The military veteran discounted fee is $35, with residents asked to contact the shelter for qualifications. The senior citizen discounted fee is also $35, described as a $35 spay/neuter fee with no adoption fee. Special adoption promotions may reduce or waive fees at different times of the year.
Cats/kittens 5 years and younger: $95.
Cats 6 and older: adoption fee waived.
Dogs/puppies 5 years and younger: $125.
Dogs 6 and older: adoption fee waived.
Military veterans: $35, with shelter qualification requirements.
Senior citizens: $35, reflecting spay/neuter fee with no adoption fee.
Gloucester County says special adoption promotions happen through the year where fees may be reduced or waived.
What dog and cat adoption fees include
- Dog adoptions include age-appropriate vaccinations, antigen heartworm test, collar, leash, microchip, nasal Bordetella, spay/neuter and worming.
- Cat adoptions include age-appropriate vaccinations, disposable cat carrier, feline leukemia/AIDS combination test for cats 12 weeks and older, microchip, spay/neuter and worming.
- All dogs and cats adopted from the facility will be spayed or neutered.
- If the animal is not spayed or neutered at adoption time, the shelter arranges surgery and the new owner picks up the pet after surgery.
How to View Gloucester County Adoptable Dogs and Cats Online
The official Our Pet List page tells users to contact the shelter at 856-881-2828 ext. 1 for adoption questions and links users to current available pets through Petfinder. Use that path first because old social media shares and copied pet photos may not reflect current availability.
Online listings are not reservations. A pet can be adopted, reclaimed, transferred, placed on a courtesy hold, moved to foster, or updated after you last viewed the listing. If you are visiting for one specific pet, call before driving to Clayton.
Search Official Listings
Use the county pet list and Petfinder listing before relying on old screenshots, Facebook comments or private rescue reposts.
Official listing firstApply Before You Fall In Love
Submit the pre-adoption application early because approved applications stay on file for one year.
Faster meet-and-greetGloucester County Lost Pets, Posters, Daily Shelter Checks and Owner Search Steps
Gloucester County’s lost pet guidance is very direct: getting the word out early is the key to getting your dog or cat back safely. Do not wait a few hours to “see if the pet comes home.” The first hours matter for posters, calls, neighborhood searches and shelter checks.
The county recommends making posters with a clear headline, brief description, photo, date and phone number. A copy of the poster can be faxed to the Animal Shelter at 856-881-0538. Owners should also call veterinary clinics, emergency veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, animal control officers, local police, kennels, grooming shops, highway departments and other local contacts.
Call: 856-881-2828.
Gloucester County Animal Shelter accepts animals from all townships within Gloucester County.
Fax: 856-881-0538.
Use clear photo, description, date, location and phone number.
Gloucester County warns owners not to rely only on information by phone. Go through and look at dogs and cats in person, daily.
Frightened pets may hide or run from even their owners. Sit down, speak normally and avoid chasing a terrified animal.
Lost pet steps that actually help
- Start searching as soon as you know the pet is missing.
- Make large, clear lost-pet posters and distribute them in the immediate area.
- Fax a poster to the shelter at 856-881-0538.
- Call neighbors, veterinary clinics, emergency hospitals, shelters, animal control officers, police, kennels and grooming shops.
- Visit the shelter and local holding facilities in person every day.
- Search barns, sheds, garages, wooded areas and hiding places, especially at night and dawn.
- Do not chase a frightened lost pet; calm, patient handling is safer.
Gloucester County Animal Control, Stray Pickup, Bites, Cruelty, Traps and Wildlife Help
The Gloucester County Animal Control Unit is made up of Animal Control Officers certified by the New Jersey State Department of Health. The unit performs animal control duties for the 24 municipalities of Gloucester County and works with local police departments for animal cruelty issues.
When calling 856-881-2828 after hours, the system instructs callers to choose 1 for non-emergency or 2 for emergency. Emergency selection transfers the caller to a 911 dispatcher who assesses the emergency. Residents should use the emergency route only for true emergencies.
Animal Control Officers pick up stray animals in county townships between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Officers respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to injured or sick stray animals and animals threatening the public.
Animal Control Officers investigate animal bite reports and report them to the Gloucester County Health Department. Some animals may be quarantined at the shelter at owner cost.
Animal Control may begin an initial investigation where permitted by ordinance. Immediate cruelty cases should involve the local police department.
Animal Control service notes users should understand
- Animal Control responds to stray animals, running-at-large complaints, confined animals and nuisance concerns during the listed pickup window.
- Traps may be provided at no charge for stray domestic animals or sick wildlife, but not for healthy wildlife outside the home for relocation.
- Bats found in the living portion of a home can be handled by Animal Control 24/7 because of rabies testing concerns.
- GCAS does not remove dead animals from roadways or private homes and properties, but dead deer on county or local roads can be reported for proper routing.
- Wildlife outside the home is not automatically a shelter pickup issue. Healthy nuisance wildlife may require exclusion guidance or New Jersey Fish and Game resources.
Gloucester County Free Rabies Clinics, Spay/Neuter Clinic Status and Responsible Pet Care
Gloucester County Board of Commissioners, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Gloucester County Animal Shelter hold free rabies vaccination clinics for residents’ pets. The 2026 rabies clinic page says clinics take place from January to April, with National Park holding a clinic in November 2026 and the date announced later in the year.
Gloucester County’s Spay & Neuter Clinic page currently states that the clinic is temporarily closed and asks users to check back for more information. Do not send users to that clinic as if it is open. If a reader needs surgery or low-cost wellness help now, they should verify updated county information or use other trusted local animal-welfare resources.
Gloucester County lists free rabies vaccination clinics for residents’ pets from January to April, with a National Park clinic planned for November 2026 when the date is announced.
The county Spay & Neuter Clinic page says the clinic is temporarily closed and users should check back for updates.
Keep rabies vaccinations current, use visible ID tags, microchip pets, leash dogs, license where required, and do not let animals roam.
Bite cases can trigger health department reporting, quarantine and owner costs. Keep pets controlled and supervised.
Gloucester County Working Cat Program for Barns, Businesses and Outdoor Rodent Control
Gloucester County’s Working Cat Program is designed for cats that are not comfortable living in a traditional home setting. These cats are selected for the program because of behavior: they are not social or friendly and do not want to be handled like typical house pets.
The program gives these cats a safe way to live out their lives while helping properties with rodent control. Working cat adopters must provide shelter, food, water, a safe environment and veterinary care. The county states that working cats are fully vetted, including spay or neuter, before leaving the shelter.
Barns, workshops, warehouses, stables, garden centers, farms or businesses where unsocialized cats can live safely with shelter and care.
Working cats are not selected because they are cuddly. They are selected because they are not comfortable as traditional indoor pets.
Adopters provide shelter, food, water, daily care, safe acclimation, litter during setup, and ongoing veterinary needs.
The county notes that used cat carriers and large dog crates may be useful for working cat setup when donations are needed.
Gloucester County Volunteer, Foster and Donation Support
Gloucester County Animal Shelter accepts volunteer help from people who love animals and have time to give. Volunteers can assist with light cleaning or laundry, escort potential adopters through adoption areas, socialize cats and kittens, and take dogs outside for walks.
Potential volunteers must be over 18 years of age, with no exceptions listed. To get started, users complete a volunteer application and attend a volunteer orientation. The county says there is no required time commitment, but the best volunteers are still consistent, reliable and realistic about what shelter work involves.
The shelter also uses foster homes for animals that may not do well in the shelter environment. Foster needs may include sick dogs or cats, mothers with litters, bottle-fed babies, and animals needing socialization or training.
Potential volunteers must be over 18 years old.
Volunteer application and orientation are required.
Walking dogs, socializing cats and kittens, helping adopters, light cleaning and laundry support.
Sick pets, mothers with litters, bottle-fed babies, and animals needing socialization or training may need foster homes.
Monetary donations can be made by cash, check, money order, credit card or PayPal. Checks can be made payable to Gloucester County Animal Shelter.
Gloucester County NJ Animal Shelter vs Gloucester County VA, Gloucester City, Private Rescues and Petfinder Pages
The phrase “gloucester county animal shelter” can lead users to different places: Gloucester County Animal Shelter in Clayton, New Jersey; Gloucester County, Virginia animal resources; Gloucester City animal control; private rescues; Petfinder listings; Facebook posts; and old adoption-fee news stories. These sources are not interchangeable.
Gloucester County Animal Shelter at 1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312.
Gloucester County Virginia, Gloucester City, private rescue pages, veterinary clinics, social media groups or old archived adoption news posts.
Wrong source means wrong hours, wrong fee, wrong animal control route, wrong holiday closure, wrong shelter address and wrong pet availability.
Confirm the official gloucestercountynj.gov page, the Clayton address, 856-881-2828 phone number and current pet listing before visiting or paying.
Official Gloucester County Animal Shelter, Adoption, Lost Pet and Animal Control Links
Use these official resources first. This protects users from old hours, outdated adoption fees, expired promotions, copied pet photos, wrong Gloucester County results and private pages that do not control GCAS operations.
🏠 Animal Shelter
Main Gloucester County Animal Shelter page with address, phone, department overview, contact links and shelter resources.
Open Animal Shelter🐾 Adoption Services
Official adoption process, fees, included care, surgery rules, holds and adoption office hours.
Open Adoption Services📝 Pre-Adoption Application
Official online pre-adoption application for users who want to adopt a dog, cat or other pet.
Open Pre-Adoption Form🔎 Our Pet List
Official county page for adoption office hours and current pet list access.
Open Pet List🚨 Animal Control Services
Official animal control page for strays, bites, cruelty, bats, deceased animals, traps and wildlife routing.
Open Animal Control📍 Lost Pet
Official lost-pet guidance for posters, daily checks, local calls, frightened pets and shelter contact.
Open Lost Pet Guide🐈 Working Cat Program
Official program for feral or unsocialized cats that need safe barn, shop, warehouse or property placement.
Open Working Cats💉 2026 Rabies Clinics
Official 2026 Gloucester County free rabies clinic information for residents’ pets.
Open Rabies Clinics✂️ Spay & Neuter Clinic
Official clinic status page. It currently says the county spay/neuter clinic is temporarily closed.
Open Clinic Status🙋 Volunteers & Fostering
Official volunteer, foster, application and shelter support information.
Open Volunteer & Foster🎁 Donations
Official donation guidance for cash, check, money order, credit card, PayPal and mailed donations.
Open Donations📅 Holiday Hours
Official holiday closure page for Sundays and major holidays.
Open Holiday HoursPhone, address and contact details
1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
856-881-2828
Press 1 for adoptions, 2 for animal control, and 3 for administration or general questions.
856-307-7119
Used for Animal Control office routing.
856-881-0538
Use for lost-pet posters with clear photo and contact details.
Gloucester County Animal Shelter Map and Visit Location
Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312. Use this location for adoption visits, approved meet-and-greets, lost-pet checks, owner identification, working cat program questions, volunteer/foster questions, donations and official shelter services.
Gloucester County Animal Shelter
Address: 1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
Gloucester County Animal Shelter FAQs
What are Gloucester County Animal Shelter adoption hours in 2026?
The Adoption Office is open Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and all national holidays.
Where is Gloucester County Animal Shelter located?
Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 N Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312.
What is the Gloucester County Animal Shelter phone number?
The main phone number is 856-881-2828. Press 1 for adoptions, press 2 for animal control, and press 3 for administration or general questions.
How do I adopt a pet from Gloucester County Animal Shelter?
View available pets, submit the pre-adoption application, wait for approval, discuss the pet with the adoption team, complete a meet-and-greet when required, sign the adoption contract and pay the current adoption fee.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Gloucester County Animal Shelter?
Dogs and puppies 5 years and younger are listed at $125. Dogs 6 years and older have the adoption fee waived. Discounted fees may apply for qualifying military veterans and senior citizens.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from Gloucester County Animal Shelter?
Cats and kittens 5 years and younger are listed at $95. Cats 6 years and older have the adoption fee waived. Senior citizen and military veteran discounts may apply when qualifications are met.
What is included with a Gloucester County shelter adoption?
Dog adoptions include age-appropriate vaccinations, antigen heartworm test, collar, leash, microchip, nasal Bordetella, spay/neuter and worming. Cat adoptions include age-appropriate vaccinations, disposable carrier, feline leukemia/AIDS combination test for cats 12 weeks and older, microchip, spay/neuter and worming.
Do I need to be 18 to adopt from Gloucester County Animal Shelter?
Yes. Gloucester County states that you must be 18 years of age to adopt a pet and at least 18 to submit the pre-adoption application.
Does Gloucester County require a dog meet-and-greet?
For dog adoptions, all dogs in the household are required to meet the shelter dog. This helps the adoption team check compatibility before adoption.
What should I do if my pet is lost in Gloucester County?
Call the shelter at 856-881-2828, fax a poster to 856-881-0538, make and distribute posters, notify vets and shelters, search your neighborhood, and visit local shelters in person daily because phone descriptions can be unreliable.
Who do I call for animal control in Gloucester County?
Call 856-881-2828 and press 2 for Animal Control. After hours, the phone system lets callers select non-emergency or emergency routing. Emergency calls are transferred to a 911 dispatcher for assessment.
Does Gloucester County Animal Control pick up stray animals?
Yes. Animal Control Officers pick up stray animals within county townships between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., seven days a week. They also respond 24/7 to injured or sick stray animals and animals threatening the public.
Does Gloucester County Animal Shelter have free rabies clinics?
Yes. Gloucester County posts free rabies vaccination clinic information for residents’ pets. The 2026 clinic page says clinics take place from January to April, with National Park holding a clinic in November 2026 when the date is announced.
Is the Gloucester County spay/neuter clinic open?
The official county Spay & Neuter Clinic page says the clinic is temporarily closed and asks users to check back for more information. Verify the page before sending readers there for surgery services.
What is the Gloucester County Working Cat Program?
The Working Cat Program places cats that are not comfortable as traditional house pets into suitable barn, shop, warehouse, farm or property settings. Adopters must provide shelter, food, water, safe acclimation and veterinary care.
Can I volunteer or foster with Gloucester County Animal Shelter?
Yes. Volunteers must be over 18 years old, complete a volunteer application and attend orientation. Foster homes may help sick pets, mothers with litters, bottle-fed babies and animals needing socialization or training.
Best Way to Use Gloucester County Animal Shelter in 2026
The best path is simple: use official Gloucester County pages first, call 856-881-2828 for the correct phone menu, submit the pre-adoption application before a serious adoption visit, verify adoption office hours before driving, check current pet listings, and visit in person if your pet is missing.
For the focus keyword gloucester county animal shelter, this guide covers the full user intent: adoption hours, address, phone number, adoption fees, included care, online pet list, pre-adoption application, lost pets, stray animal pickup, animal control, bite cases, cruelty routing, traps, wildlife, free rabies clinics, spay/neuter clinic status, working cats, volunteers, fostering, donations, map and official links. That is the difference between a useful Gloucester County shelter guide and a thin page that only repeats an address.
Important Notice: This article is an independent informational guide and is not Gloucester County Government, Gloucester County Animal Shelter, Gloucester County Health Department, Petfinder, a veterinarian, law enforcement, or a legal authority. Adoption availability, adoption approvals, adoption fees, shelter hours, holiday closures, pet lists, stray pickup response, bite case handling, animal control routing, rabies clinic schedules, spay/neuter clinic status, foster needs, working cat availability, volunteer requirements, donation needs and shelter operations can change. Always verify urgent or official matters directly with Gloucester County Animal Shelter, emergency services, your municipality, local police, or the appropriate official agency before acting.