JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PRWEB) March 29, 2018 -- If you visit any urban animal shelter you will find they share a similar story – the dogs are predominantly pit bulls and other big breeds, some of the hardest to find new homes. Cities are also home to hundreds of outdoor, or feral, cats which often live in colonies.
The outcome for these animals is bleak: they are the most at risk of entering the shelter system and the least likely to be adopted. In Hudson County, where 16 percent of households live below the poverty line, many residents simply cannot afford to spay or neuter their animals and there currently is no low-cost spay/neuter clinic to assist these families.
Recognizing this need in the community, local small business owners Jaclyn Fulop and Drew Nussbaum, owners of Exchange Physical Therapy Group in Jersey City and Weehawken, teamed up with the non-profit Liberty Humane Society to find a solution and help establish the first low-cost spay and neuter program in Jersey City.
“When we learned about this situation and that a solution was within reach, we immediately knew we had to help,” said Jaclyn Fulop, co-owner of Exchange Physical Therapy Group. “We have seen the benefits an animal can have, through our therapy dog Chloe, and want to make sure all of Jersey City’s dogs and cats have an opportunity at a good life. That’s what this program will provide.”
To help Liberty Humane Society reach its fundraising goal, Exchange Physical Therapy Group is hosting a fundraiser next week. The initial goal is to raise enough funds for the first year of the program, approximately $25,000, but to also create an ongoing donor base for subsequent years. The public is invited to attend and tickets can be purchased for $25 online at: http://www.exchangephysicaltherapygroup.com.
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 / 7:30-9:30 pm
Location: Corgi Spirits, 1 Distillery Drive, Jersey City
Cost: $25 per person / sponsorship opportunities available starting at $500
"We are thrilled to have the support of Exchange Physical Therapy Group and Jaclyn Fulop for this new life-saving spay/neuter program,” said Irene Borngraeber, Executive Director of Liberty Humane Society. “The lack of affordable spay/neuter surgery in Hudson County has contributed to thousands of accidental litters and unwanted pets entering our shelter system. Making this life-saving procedure both affordable and accessible to pet owners in need is a momentous step towards creating a safer, more humane reality for Jersey City’s pets. We are so grateful for Exchange Physical Therapy Group and Jaclyn's help in expanding these essential services."
For the first year of the program, Liberty Humane Society would be partnering with People For Animals (PFA) in Hillside to bring their mobile spay/neuter RV to the shelter in Jersey City to provide these public services, approximately twice per month (depending on public demand and PFA availability).
Due to capacity and resources, the program is designed initially for large dogs (40+ pounds) and outdoor cats in colonies of 10 or fewer whose owners/caretakers reside in the contracted service areas of Jersey City and Hoboken. Eligible pet owners would pay $10 to spay or neuter their dog or cat.
“We are really excited to work with Liberty Humane Society on this project as we know that it can make an important and lasting impact not only for the animals, but the pet owners as well,” said Jaclyn Fulop. “The community response so far has been tremendous and we look forward to seeing everyone next week and truly appreciate all of the support.”
About Exchange Physical Therapy Group
Exchange Physical Therapy Group is the premier outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic with two locations at the transit terminals in Exchange Place in Jersey City and Weehawken, NJ. Our team provides one-on-one, personalized treatment plans to our patients with a team-oriented approach. Our physical therapists have unparalleled experience with subspecialties in post-surgical rehab, sport specific rehabilitation, pediatric therapy and women’s health. We strive to enhance all of our patients’ quality of life.
About Liberty Humane Society
Liberty Humane Society (LHS) is the only non-profit animal shelter and control facility in Hudson County, NJ. LHS believes that every shelter pet deserves a second chance at finding a loving home. With the help of hundreds of active volunteers, LHS staff is dedicated to facilitating the best possible outcomes for the animals in residence at the shelter, and to increasing the availability of preventative public services for the community as a whole. The Wellness Clinic provides low-cost health care to help keep local pets in their homes, and LHS adoption counselors place more than one thousand animals in homes each year.
For more information, please contact Irene Borngraeber, Executive Director, Liberty Humane Society at (201) 547-4147x1006 or irene(at)libertyhumane.org.
Jaclyn Fulop, Exchange Physical Therapy Group, http://www.exchangephysicaltherapygroup.com, +1 201-721-6130, [email protected]
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