Animal Shelter Hosting World Cup-themed Open House

The Burlington County Animal Shelter is staging a World Cup–themed open house called the Paw Cup to encourage adoptions and bring attention to its animals. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, from noon to 4 PM at the shelter, 35 Academy Drive in Westampton, and is presented by the Burlington County Commissioners in partnership with the shelter and Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter. Visitors can meet adoptable dogs and cats, take part in soccer-themed activities, and watch a playful simulated match pitting Team Dog against Team Cat — every adoption during the event will count toward the teams’ final score. As an added incentive, the shelter is waiving adoption fees for animals older than one year for the Paw Cup and for the remainder of the World Cup (the tournament concludes July 19). Tables with pet-care information, community resources, and snacks for people and pets will also be available. County officials highlighted the importance of permanent homes despite the excellent daily care animals receive at the shelter. Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo noted the shelter’s progress this year and encouraged residents to stop in even if they aren’t ready to adopt; sharing photos of adoptable pets with friends and family can help find placements. The article reports that, so far in 2026, the county has finalized more than 282 cat adoptions and 153 dog adoptions. The story names a couple of animals visitors can meet: Hereford, an older American Staffordshire Terrier mix who arrived as a stray and is described as warming up quickly and suited to a relaxed, companionable home; and Popcorn, a 7-year-old Domestic Shorthair brought in after being found as a stray in Delran, friendly with people and other cats but still waiting for a family. Full listings and photos of the shelter’s available pets are posted online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1446/Available-for-Adoption. Attendees will also be able to tour the shelter’s renovated spaces. Recent changes move the main office and assistance window to the front lobby, add a multipurpose room for adoptions and education, reorganize the donations area, and update the clinic to improve operations. Those upgrades were paid for with a state health grant and completed by the Burlington County Department of Public Works Division of Construction Services using in-house union trades crews — work the county says saved taxpayer dollars. The Paw Cup event aims both to showcase these improvements and to help animals, especially older pets, find loving new homes.