Right now, animal shelters across New Jersey are reaching a breaking point. Inflation and financial hardship are forcing more people to surrender their beloved pets—many with tears in their eyes and no other choice. Our shelters are overflowing, staff are stretched thin, and animals are suffering.

This isn’t about neglect or irresponsibility. Families are doing their best, but rising rents, job losses, and the cost of food and vet care have made it impossible for many to keep their pets. Shelters, once seen as a temporary refuge, are now overwhelmed—turning away animals, housing double their intended capacity, and struggling to provide even the basics.

This is an emergency—and it calls for an emergency response.

We are calling on Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature to act now by allocating emergency funding for animal shelters statewide. This funding would help shelters expand capacity, provide medical care, hire more staff, and support community-based programs that keep pets and families together.

These are not just animals. They are loyal companions, emotional support for families under strain, and often the last source of comfort for those struggling. When we help shelters, we help people too—especially seniors, veterans, and low-income families who are disproportionately impacted by inflation.

New Jersey has stepped up in times of crisis before. This is one of those moments. We urge state leaders to recognize the silent emergency happening in our shelters and give these animals—and the people who love them—the urgent help they deserve.

Please sign this petition and stand with New Jersey’s shelters, families, and the animals they care for. Together, we can ensure that no pet is left behind simply because their family couldn’t afford to keep them.