Currently, the Division of Animal Care and Control is open between 7AM-6PM Monday-Saturday, and 8AM-4PM on Sunday. We are closed to the public on City Holidays. Appointments are strongly encourage to ensure that our staff can be best prepared to meet your needs.
Animal Control and the Animal Shelter work together to help our residents solve animal-related problems.
Animal Control responds to calls in the community: found or lost pets, dogs running at large without an owner, sick or injured animals where the owner is not known, and animal safety and nuisance issues generally. Animal Control is staffed 24x7. From 10pm-7am and on City holidays, only emergency calls are dispatched.
The Jersey City Animal Shelter provides humane care for stray and abandoned animals and helps them find a permanent home. The Shelter is located at 235 Jersey City Blvd. (across from Liberty Science Center).
We love and welcome volunteers!
Volunteers are essential in ensuring that our animals receive the kind of one-on-one attention they need during their stay at the Jersey City Division of Animal Care and Control.
We rely on volunteers to contribute their time and talents across a wide range of chosen activities, from walking dogs and socializing kittens to greeting visitors, entering data and assisting at special events.
We are currently processing over 200 dedicated volunteers interested in lending support to our animals. New volunteer opportunities will open up in July 2024.
Dog Licensing
NJ law requires a license for all dogs 6 months or older, and dogs must wear their license tag when in public. You can license your Jersey City dog at the Shelter during public hours or online. To apply online or download the application in either English or Spanish, please go to the Dog License page.
Licensing your dog and keeping it on them at all times has a range of benefits. Most importantly, it allows you to be reunited with your dog in the event that they become lost, and also helps protect you and your dog from rabies. Additionally, it provides a better understanding of our dog population which helps to inform future investment in public amenities such as dog runs and parks, and allows us to contact you in the event of an emergency or for special events.