Bitter Dispute Leaves Vineland Without Animal Shelter

A contract dispute between the City of Vineland and Associated Humane Societies South (AHSS) animal shelter in Vineland has left the city without the shelter’s services.

AHSS Suspends Vineland Animal Services After Contract Dispute

Associated Humane Societies, a non-profit group that merged with South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in 2025, posted on Facebook on Wednesday, saying that after several deadlines had passed, they were no longer able to provide official municipal sheltering services to Vineland, effective April 1.

Without a contract in place, we are unfortunately unable to continue providing these services. AHS contracts with 46 municipalities throughout New Jersey; Vineland has been the only city that refuses to negotiate in good faith or execute a contract.

 

We want the public to know that we are a nonprofit organization needing to honor our contractual commitments to provide animal sheltering services to towns that have executed contracts with us — including all other towns in Cumberland County — and thus our resources are limited and challenges great.

 

 

City of Vineland Counters AHSS Statement

On Thursday, the City of Vineland responded with its own statement, saying it disagrees with the way the Associated Humane Societies South has portrayed this situation and calling the AHSS "a monopoly that has refused to meet with the city to discuss concerns" about its practices and billing.

Vineland claims to have paid AHSS over $473K in 2024 and $508,808 in 2025, based solely on the city's population, not on the services rendered.

Vineland also says the AHSS is operating without proper licences.

We are also deeply concerned that, despite ongoing support from the Health Department to assist AHSS staff, AHSS has operated without a valid shelter or pound license, required by the State of New Jersey, for approximately 10 months.

 

Vineland is Suing AHSS Over Charges for Sheltering Chickens

The statement from Vineland raises concerns about the amount they were charged for sheltering fees from animal cruelty investigations and other veterinary expenses, and alleges that other Cumberland County towns have reported similar problems.

As an example, the City received a bill for one-month uncontrolled sheltering services totaling over $6,000.00 for chickens. This has led the City to commence litigation in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division.

 

Contrary to statements from AHSS representatives, Vineland is not alone in these concerns. Other Cumberland County municipalities forced to use the services of AHSS have recently contacted Vineland and the Mayors of Cumberland County, reporting similar problems with billing clarity, service expectations, responsiveness, and intake procedures. 

 

What Happens Next?

The issue of high costs for animal control services is a problem for many municipalities around the country in 2026, with rising costs to keep and care for shelter animals and towns' attempts to stay within budget.

One source for this story said that Vineland is a "huge burden" for animal services because of the size of the community and the number of animals they were asked to house.
The City of Vineland says these issues have led it to "pursue an alternative path forward" for animal services. 

Associated Humane Societies South says that a "Cumberland County Commissioners’ shelter feasibility study concluded that using the AHSS would be the most effective, operationally efficient, and financially sound option for the city to take, and they hope some kid of cooperative solution can be reached".

In the meantime, the Vineland Police Department website says they have two animal control officers in its Animal Control Unit, who "respond to thousands of animal complaints every year to assist with providing animal traps and removing endangered animals."

It's not clear where they will take these animals, and who will care for stray and abandoned pets during this shutdown of services by the AHS in Vineland.