Community Steps Up to Foster More Than 30 Dogs After Snow Damages Shelter Roof

When a heavy snowstorm battered Newark, New Jersey, few expected that its aftermath would lead to a heart‑wrenching shelter crisis — and an inspiring wave of community compassion. On December 28, 2025, massive snowfall caused the roof of the Associated Humane Societies (AHS) of Newark to collapse, crushing part of the rear kennels and displacing more than 30 dogs who had been living at the facility.

The collapse was caused not by the shelter’s own roof failing under snow weight, but by snow sliding off a neighboring building and crashing onto the kennel structure, rendering it unsafe for animals. While nobody was injured, the damage was serious enough that the shelter could no longer house all the dogs inside it — at least not until repairs could be completed.

Faced with sudden loss of critical kennel space and already caring for more animals than usual, AHS issued an urgent appeal for foster homes. The shelter asked for people willing to open their doors — even temporarily — to help care for displaced dogs while staff worked to fix the damage.

The request was specific: they particularly needed fosters who could take dogs weighing 40 pounds and up for two to four weeks, though any willing home was greatly appreciated.

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It didn’t take long for the community to respond. Neighbors, animal lovers, and volunteers from across the region stepped forward almost immediately after the plea went out on social media. Within just two days of the shelter’s call for help, only two dogs remained in need of temporary foster homes — a dramatic turnaround that spoke volumes about how quickly people were willing to act.

The response came from a wide range of people: longtime dog owners, first‑time fosters, and even families who had never had a foster dog before but were moved by the situation to help. Many offered not only space in their homes, but supplies, time, and emotional support for the animals they took in. Others shared the shelter’s appeal broadly online, helping the message reach people who might not otherwise have seen it.

For AHS staff, the outpouring of support was nothing short of “incredible.” A spokesperson described the community’s swift action as a lifesaver for the dogs, especially given that the shelter was already operating near capacity. In situations where space is limited and repairs are necessary, temporary fosters can mean the difference between overcrowding and giving each dog the space and care it deserves.

Foster caregivers were not alone in their efforts. Some local businesses donated supplies such as food, bedding, and toys. Others offered to help with transportation or with support tasks like walking and grooming. The collaborative effort turned what could have been a logistical nightmare into a broader community‑wide rescue mission — one that not only kept the dogs safe, but brought people together in compassion and purpose.

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Many of the dogs placed in foster homes began to show immediate improvements: they relaxed, played, and bonded with people in ways they hadn’t had the chance to do in the shelter’s busy, post‑storm environment. Foster families shared photos and updates with shelter staff, illustrating how a temporary home can have a lasting positive impact on an animal’s wellbeing.

As the kennel roof is repaired and space is slowly restored to the shelter, AHS and volunteers are working to ensure that each dog is cared for, evaluated, and eventually either returned to a safe shelter environment or adopted into a loving permanent home.

The foster effort not only helped during a crisis; it also raised awareness about the ongoing need for foster homes statewide — even in less urgent times.

This story highlights a simple but powerful truth: when a community comes together for animals in need, real change can happen fast.

The snow‑damaged kennel roof may have shaken the shelter’s normal routine, but it also sparked a wave of kindness that brought dozens of dogs into warm homes — even if only for a few weeks — while they awaited their next chapter.