We are thrilled to share some exciting news about the future of our AHS Forked River Shelter at Popcorn Park!
Thanks to your incredible support, generosity, and belief in our mission, we’re ready to take a bold step forward—we are rebuilding our shelter from the ground up.
Over the past year, many of you have witnessed our efforts to remodel the existing facility. Your patience, dedication, and support during this time have been nothing short of amazing. We could not have navigated this period without you, and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for standing with us and the animals in our care.
After careful consideration, we determined that demolishing the current building and creating a brand-new, modern space will best serve our animals and our community for years to come.
The new shelter will be more functional, welcoming, and inclusive—a place where we can provide the highest level of care for pets and serve as a true resource for our community.
What This Means for Our Animals:
- Our goal is to have all dogs, cats, and small animals adopted by January 31, 2026. We will be working tirelessly to find loving homes for every animal.
- Any animals still at our Forked River shelter by January 31st will be transferred to our other AHS locations in Newark, Tinton Falls, or Vineland, where they will continue to receive the care and attention they deserve.
What Does This Mean for Shelter Volunteers and Visitors?
- Volunteer activities—including dog walking and cat socialization—will continue as usual until January 31. After that date, dog walking and cat socialization will pause in Forked River temporarily while construction is underway.
- For those who are able, we warmly encourage our Forked River volunteers to consider helping at our Tinton Falls location during this period. Their team would be thrilled to welcome you, and your experience would be a tremendous help to the animals there.
How Does This Affect Popcorn Park Animal Refuge?
- The Refuge will remain open and fully operational throughout the construction process. We encourage you to visit, spend time with your favorite Refuge residents, and continue supporting the sanctuary animals who call Popcorn Park home during this time.
- Due to the winter season, the Refuge will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting December 1st, returning to a 7-day schedule on February 28th.
Stay Connected!
We’ll be sharing updates and behind-the-scenes progress as construction moves forward. Be sure to follow along on our social media pages for sneak peeks, adoptable pets, and all the latest happenings!
We Are Grateful for Your Support!
This is an incredibly exciting time for AHS and Popcorn Park. With your continued support, we’re building a shelter that’s bigger, better, and truly designed for the needs of the animals and community we serve. Whether you visit the Refuge, adopt, foster, donate, share our animals online, or simply cheer us on from afar, you’ve helped carry us to this moment. Together, we’re creating a stronger foundation—one that will allow us to help more pets, support more families, and make an even greater impact for years to come.
From all of us at AHS Forked River, thank you for your generosity, your compassion, and your belief in our mission. We can’t wait to share this new chapter with you and celebrate the impact we’ll make together!
