Three from township rally for critters at county shelter

Friends to those in need: Elizabeth Butryn, Charlotte Sinno, and Nicky DeFrancesco. Photo via Shannon DeFrancesco.
Friends to those in need: Elizabeth Butryn, Charlotte Sinno, and Nicky DeFrancesco. Photo via Shannon DeFrancesco.

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Three enterprising fourth-graders from Jessie F. George School—Elizabeth Butryn, Charlotte Sinno, and Nicky DeFrancesco—raised $276 for the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center through a lemonade stand in August. 

Their generosity didn’t stop there—they also collected a car full of supplies, including blankets, towels, food, crates, animal pens, newspapers, and toys, for the animals at the shelter.

The young philanthropists recently delivered their donations to the shelter, where they met some of the cats, bunnies, and birds awaiting adoption.

In thanking the kids online, the shelter posted in part, “When life gives you lemons, you can make a difference!”

Opened in 1979, the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center (BCAS) is responsible for Animal Control and related services for 49 towns in Bergen and Hudson Counties. At 100 United Lane in Teterboro, BCAS has an active network of rescues, volunteers, kitten foster families, and trap/neuter/return (TNR) colonies to support the employees and animals in our care.  

The shelter earned its No-Kill designation under the guidelines of the Asilmar Accords in 2015.

The mission of BCAS is to:

  • Promote the humane treatment of all animals
  • Reunite lost pets with owners
  • Encourage adoption, foster care and wildlife rehabilitation
  • Reduce animal populations through spay/neuter (TNR) and education of the public in animal welfare
  • Support the community in responsible pet ownership

The shelter has the capacity to house up to 90 dogs and 350 cats at any given time. 

Visit facebook.com/BCAnimalShelter for photos of available and adopted pets as well as updates on events.