Since March, the Jersey Animal Coalition shelter in South Orange has been closed, and animals have been prohibited from leaving the shelter. However, posts on the Jersey Animal Coalition Facebook page indicated that animals from the shelter would be up for adoption at a Ridgewood, Bergen County event on May 18. Sponsored by the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital, the event was called 'Adopt-A-Pet' Day, and nearly 25 animal rescue groups and shelters from several areas participated. Over 300 pets were to be available for adoption, and several pets from the JAC shelter were slated to be available for adoption at the event.
One post read, "Jersey Animal Coalition will be...participating in this huge adoption event...Come and meet our adoptable pets, our great staff and volunteers...". Another mentioned, "Brownie is one of the dogs you'll meet on Sunday at the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital's Adoption event! Stop by and meet Brownie and the JAC's other adoptable pets on this Sunday, 5/18 starting at 11 a.m".
However, South Orange Village officials ended up prohibiting JAC from participating. In an email to Essex County Place, Deputy Village Administrator Adam Loehner said, "JAC did reach out through their lawyer on Friday though unfortunately because of the quarantine we were not able to allow them to participate in the adoption event in Bergen County".
Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital and Jersey Animal Coalition did not respond to requests for comment.
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