Animal shelter in Oakland, New Jersey receives over $100K in donations to help keep heat on

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 11:37PM
NJ animal shelter asks for donations to keep heat on
Michelle Charlesworth has more on the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge's need for $15,000 to keep the heat on and their animals safe.

OAKLAND, New Jersey (WABC) -- An Oakland, New Jersey animal shelter has been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of others after asking for the public's help raising money to keep its heat on and keep its pets safe.

The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge says the freezing temperatures have led to its heating system being on the fritz and going fast.

They needed $15,000 to replace the heating unit to keep its doors open for the animals that rely on them, but soon after Eyewitness News reported on their urgent plea, it was learned that a flood of donations came in, totaling over $100,000 by Tuesday night!

A heartfelt "thank you" is the message being displayed by the adorable animals at a shelter in Oakland, New Jersey after receiving more than $100,000 in donations to help fix a broken heater.

The money will go a long way to helping this animal shelter in need.

"For a nonprofit like us, we rely on the public for donations and this is outside of our normal," said Megan Brinster, Executive Director at Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge.

Brinster said the animals are cold and so are their people, and right now, they are relying on space heaters and other stop gaps. However, the shelter is still taking care of animals that have nowhere else to go.

"We have a tripod, a cat who lost her leg," Brinster said. "Her name is Arizona. Best personality on the planet."

The shelter has 65 cats, 38 dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs that they care for and fix. They are also always ready to send one to a loving home, but they are also ready to install a new heater immediately.

"As soon as we raise the money, we're ready to go with a replacement," Brinster said.

Thanks to the public, it appears the animal shelter will now get that heater they so desperately need.

RBARI.org is the nonprofit website -- a place that works overtime giving tender loving care.

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