OCHD REPORTS 108 TOTAL CASES OF COVID-19 IN OCEAN COUNTY
March 23, 2020
RESIDENTS NEED TO RAMP UP SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES AS U.S. NOW LEADS THE WORLD IN TOTAL COVID-19 CASES
March 30, 2020
The Southern Ocean County Animal Facility (SOCAF) in Manahawkin has had the added job of housing cats and dogs from its sister facility in Jackson since late February. The Northern Ocean Animal Facility was in the process of building renovations when the COVID-19 outbreak hit New Jersey.
“The Ocean County Animal Facility staff is doing a great job caring for the pets even with some of the new operational procedures presented as a result of COVID-19. The level of oversight and care for the dogs and cats has not been compromised” explained Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer.
Ocean County residents are reaching out to SOCAF to offer their assistance to volunteer or donating goods. Many are asking if there is a need to be a foster pet parent.
“The response from the community is terrific but really not too surprising,” said Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health.
“We have a countless number of passionate and compassionate animal lovers in this county and many of these individuals have stepped up in the past to volunteer their free time in the midst of events such as Superstorm Sandy, wildfires, snowstorms and more.”
Regenye continued, “The Ocean County Health Department wants to say thank you to all these individuals who are unselfishly offering to volunteer their time to care for our county shelter pets. But the volume of pets is very manageable and we’ve been in good shape so far with our typical pool of animal rescue groups and animal care organizations such as our volunteer partners – the Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility.”
“The animals are pretty much going through their normal routines. They are still being exercised regularly and getting plenty of love and socialization,” added Mary Alano, Animal Facilities Manager.
For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the OCHD website www.ochd.org. Or call
the COVID-19 Information Call Line at 732-341-9700 ext. 7411.
Additional Resources
CDC Coronavirus Page – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
New Jersey Department of Health Coronavirus Page – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
Coronavirus questions are being handled by the health experts at the NJ Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or dial 2-1-1
