Dogs Affected by Gulf Coast Oil Spill Make Their Way to Somerset County

The sounds of meows, barks and wimpers from hopeful hearts fill the hallways of the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.

Cats and kittens lounge and roam around their play rooms, while dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes wait patiently for a new home.

The shelter, which serves the county and which recently moved across the parking lot to a new building behind the Bridgewater Municipal Complex, currently has a parakeet, a rabbit, over 80 cats and 11 dogs all needing a new owner to love them—but the shelter only has real space for 10 dogs.

And the newest additions to the shelter are three dogs who traveled a great distance to call this shelter their temporary home. These three dogs—Lucky, a long-haired Chihuahua mix; Papaya, a young Border Collie/Husky mix; and Flex, a young Chocolate Lab that is currently in foster care—are all rescues from Louisiana.

Of the three, two of the dogs were found stray, and one was surrendered by its owner who was affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill. It is possible that the other two dogs once had owners who were also affected by the oil spill or one of the many natural disasters that have hit Louisiana.

"They made a nearly week-long journey from Louisiana to New Jersey," said Corrina Colldeweih, the shelter's manager. "Their transport truck broke down shortly after leaving New Orleans, and they were delayed a few days. We hope to have all dogs healthy and available for adoption by the end of August, possibly before."

New Jersey's St. Huberts Animal Welfare Center received 100 dogs last week from Louisiana, all transported by the Humane Society of the United States. The dogs were sent to various shelters and foster homes around New Jersey—the Somerset shelter only had room for Lucky, Flex and Papaya.

The animals in the shelter are brought there under a variety of different circumstances; some are strays, some are rescued from a bad home and some are surrendered by their owners who can no longer take care of them. All animals are taken right to the vet upon arrival, de-wormed, tested for all types of illnesses, vaccinated and later neutered or spayed. They receive a great deal of love, affection and training from the shelters' employees and volunteers to be sure they are ready for a permanent home.

Unfortunately, some pets do not get adopted as quickly as others. Snooki, a charming and beautiful caramel-colored Pitbull mix, and Isis, an adorable black and white short hair cat, have been in the shelter the longest.

"We want to place these animals as quickly as possible," Colldeweih said.

This does not mean that the application process is quick and easy. Potential adopters have to fill out a four-page application and provide proof of home ownership or their rental lease stating they are allowed to have pets.

"Our biggest concern is to make sure the animals have permanent homes," Colldeweih said. "We love them, but we don't want them to have to come back."

The Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter encourages people to adopt before they buy. Colldeweih said she has a great deal of hope for these animals.

"You are saving a homeless animal," she said. "These cats and dogs may have been abused or neglected, and they need a second chance on life. They are so loyal and become a part of your family."