Shelter is adding four dog play yards for animals to exercise and get mental and physical simulation.
BRIDGEWATER -- Canines will have the chance to stretch their legs at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter when it opens its new dog play yards, the shelter announced in a news release.
The shelter, located at 100 Commons Way, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 14 at 6 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the play yards.
Four fenced areas have been donated to the shelter by Tony Martinez, president of the Woodbridge-based National Fence Systems, in memory of his mother, Isabel Martinez, who was a huge animal lover and animal welfare advocate.
In addition to the fenced areas, the shelter will debut its new control vehicle, a 2017 Ford Transit Connect Van, which was purchased, in part, from a grant given to the shelter in honor of Alison Marie Wildman. It'll replace an aging 2003 van, said Brian Bradshaw, shelter manager.
"We're very excited," said Bradshaw. "The shelter is getting better and better each day. The fenced area will be a place for the dogs to exercise, get mental and physical simulation and for volunteers to train them so they'll show better for potential adopters. We're very, very grateful."
Former Gov. Christine Whtiman tours shelter
The shelter, which also finds homes for cats, birds and other pocket pets, has recorded 351 adoptions thus far in 2017 compared to 275 at this time last year, said Rose Tropeano-Digilio, assistant shelter manager.
One fence will be 25-by-75 feet, the other fences are 30-by-30 feet and two 15-by-15 foot enclosures. The fences are 6-foot high.
Wildman, 30, who was born in Woodbridge but raised in Bridgewater, worked as a stockbroker in New York and was killed during the 9/11 attacks while working on the 92nd floor of the North Tower. One of her passions was her love of animals, especially the family's pet dogs, Molly and Shannon.
Author Wildman, Alison Marie's dad, toured the shelter last May with former New Jersey Gov. Christine Whtiman.
"I am proud to have worked with the Alison Marie Wildman Foundation for over a decade with the Somerset Co. Sheriff's Office K9 Unit, so to now continue that great relationship with them at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter is quite special", said Tim Pino, Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, Executive Board.
For more information on the event and the shelter, go to www.srasnj.org
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook