Danielle Gioia, shelter manager for the Hamilton Township animal shelter, told the Board of Health on Aug. 19 that the shelter was operating over capacity for dogs and outlined steps staff and volunteers are taking to move animals to homes or foster care.

“As of today, the shelter we are over capacity in housing 44 dogs in the shelter, 36 in the kennels, and 8 in crates,” Danielle Gioia said, noting one dog was returned to its owner before the meeting. She said the shelter was waiving adoption fees for all dogs through Aug. 31; prospective adopters must still complete the standard application and vetting process.

Gioia reported 73 cats at the facility, with 10 in foster care; many are kitten litters. She said intake has exceeded outgoing placements for five of the first seven months of the year and that staff have adopted out 291 animals so far in 2025. The shelter’s live release rate stands at 96 percent.

Volunteer capacity has increased, Gioia said: 60 volunteers were active in the last four months and 99 volunteers are in the database; volunteers logged 2,234 hours through July 31. The shelter recently onboarded a part‑time volunteer coordinator, Faith, who is hosting weekend orientations and a “buddy” training program with trainer Laura Garber to expand volunteer handling skills.

Gioia described the shelter’s behavior categorization for dogs: 4 green (easier), 10 blue, 15 yellow, 6 red (more difficult to handle), and 9 pending assessments (six of those had arrived within seven days). She said staff provide targeted behavior work and some dogs receive medication and individualized attention; the shelter also sends targeted rescue emails when possible.

On vaccination clinics, Gioia said the department administered 726 rabies vaccines at four clinics earlier in the year and has one clinic scheduled for Dec. 4 at Switlick Park Pavilion. She reminded residents that CDC guidance provides general rabies information.

Why it matters: the shelter’s capacity and live release rate affect animal welfare and public health; waiver of adoption fees is an operational action intended to increase placements in the short term.

Sources and attribution: facts and quotations above come from Danielle Gioia’s Aug. 19 presentation to the Board of Health and from the shelter report presented at the meeting.