Toms River Animal Shelter rally planned to fight mayor's push to have county take over

TOMS RIVER - A rally in support of Toms River's Animal Shelter is planned for 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the shelter at 235 Oak Ave.

Supporters of the shelter are concerned about Mayor Daniel Rodrick's proposal to have Ocean County take over care of Toms River's homeless animals. Rodrick has insisted that the animal shelter will remain open, even if the county takes over operations.

The mayor contends the county can do a better job finding homes for stray animals, a point disputed by many animal care advocates, who fear more animals will be euthanized if the county shelters are filled.

The county has not yet indicated if it would keep the building open, or if stray cats and dogs would go to county-run shelters in Jackson and Stafford.

Rodrick's administration has put out a request for proposals for animal control services, and the mayor has said he may look to privatize animal control. Toms River's four animal control officers, who also care for stray dogs and cats at the shelter, would likely lose their jobs.

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Toms River is one of only four New Jersey towns to have its own animal shelter. The Oak Avenue shelter, which replaced one on Whitesville Road, was opened in 2014.

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and writes about issues related to Superstorm Sandy. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle,  jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River Animal Shelter rally fights mayor's push for county takeover