About Us
Where We Are Now
Not one to let grass grow under our feet when there are needy
animals, in early 2026 S.A.V.E. implemented a very low cost
spay and neuter program to assist the caretakers of our feral
and stray unowned outdoor Community Cat population.
We also continue to do the same things for our
community that we have always done!
Being a small grassroots organization, S.A.V.E. has always been very
community oriented. Anything our Thrift Shop cannot use is paid forward.
For example, we donate clothes to people in need and pet food to pet food pantries to help our community keep their beloved companion animals.
S.A.V.E. is also an educational group, speaking at different locations (i.e. senior communities and high schools) regarding pet care, safety, and spay/neuter.
We continue with our fundraising efforts and our Thrift Shop.
Board of Directors:
President - Linda Scott
Vice Presdient - Linda Wallace
Treasurer - Barbara Devaney
Secretary - Charlene Tiger
Founding Board:
Frances Oehme (Deceased)
Michele Lenzo-Verga
Joan Duffy
Linda Scott
Our History
Our story began in the 1990's when our founding members volunteered
at the original Toms River Animal Shelter (TRAS) for years. We ran
fundraisers and took animals off site to get them seen and adopted.
Through our fundraising, we were able to obtain many items the shelter needed, as well as pay for many required medical procedures. Along
with the public, we were successful in advocating for a new TRAS,
which was desperately needed.
After a name change, we incorporated S.A.V.E. in 2002 as an all-volunteer
non-profit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization. At that time, we
combined our S.A.V.E. Thrift Store with a shelter for cats.
S.A.V.E. was the only rescue asked by TRAS to assist after Hurricane Sandy. We worked with them, the police, and the National Guard, as well as calling on veterinarians and the public for carriers, blankets, and food. We saved over 120 animals and reunited 98% of displaced pets with their grateful owners.
In 2016, S.A.V.E. opened our own shelter for homeless cats and dogs,
where our dedicated volunteers worked hard to care for, socialize, and
find the perfect matches for them. We had high school and college students volunteer for credits through specific school programs. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts would come into our shelter and donate their time, as well as hold events such as bake sales and donation collections while working for their
badges. Another group close to our hearts was our adults with
limitations, who would visit our shelter weekly and socialize with
our animals. At the close of 2025, after having found wonderful homes
for all of the animals in our care, we heartbreakingly had to close our shelter due to skyrocketing costs. We have always existed solely on donations,
fundraising events, and proceeds from our Thrift Shop.
But our story hasn't finished! Our Thrift Shop is still operating,
and S.A.V.E. continues to help animals in our community with
a spay and neuter program and donations.