Animal shelters across South Jersey are doing their part to help both adoptable pets and our country’s military veterans. The “Free Pets for Vets” programs at the Burlington County Animal Shelter, the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees and the Voorhees Animal Orphanage and the Camden County Animal Shelter are designed to match adoptable dogs and cats with active and retired military personnel.

Retired members of the military often reap huge benefits from pet ownership. Many who struggle with issues related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder find caring for and training a dog to be an effective method of combating anxiety.

“Shelter animals thank our veterans by giving them companionship, unconditional love, loyalty, respect and joy,” the Burlington County Animal Shelter said in a release. The shelters are waiving all adoption fees for Burlington and Camden county veterans with a valid military ID or County Veteran ID Card.

Available pets can be seen on the shelters’ websites. For more information on the program, visit the Burlington County Animal Shelter at co.burlington.nj.us, the Animal Welfare Association at awanj.org, the Voorhees Animal Orphanage at vaonj.org and the Camden County Animal Shelter at ccasnj.org.