BEST FRIENDS NETWORK MEMBER PROFILE

In this issue, we announced that we would be dedicating all four 2025 issues to Best Friends Animal Society, giving the legendary organization a special section in each issue. Part of that section includes profiles on members of the Best Friends Network. Rather than wait until 2025, we wanted to give you a sneak peek as to what that looks like. This is Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter:

I have worked with Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, New Jersey for almost 20 years. It is one of my favorite shelters in the country as their approach to animal care, compassion as well as adopters and fosters is bar none the best, in my humble opinion. I used to go to Mt. Pleasant almost every other weekend for years as my wife Kylie and I would deliver tough chew toys for their dogs, and other toys for their cat population while helping to promote their facility through our former advocacy, Rock & Rawhide. Their Director, Lorri Coppola is a very dear friend and one of the most dedicated people I have ever seen in rescue.

For more than 50 years, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter has been providing exceptional care for homeless animals, working tirelessly to find a permanent, loving home for every cat and dog they serve. Their priority is to save abandoned animals within the community; but it doesn’t end there. Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter also partners with shelters around the country to save at risk animals from being euthanized.

Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter never euthanizes any animal for time or space reasons. Adoptable animals reside in their care, and custody, until they find their forever home. In other words, Mt. Pleasant staff and volunteers become their loving family until they become a part of a new loving and responsible family.

Best Friends Network
As a member of the Best Friends Network, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter has access to over 5,000 other organizations’ resources. When asked why she loves to be a part of the Best Friends Network, Executive Director Lorri Coppola tells us, “What’s not to love about Best Friends Network! As a Shelter Director, I think what I love most are the tools they have available for shelters and their commitment to supporting animals nationwide. The resources they provide make them a trusted place to go for accurate and up-to-date information. They are working hard, inspiring others, and making a huge impact on the lives of shelters pets, and the sustainability of the shelters that house them.”

Kennel Enrichment
The kennel environment is, quite frankly, not natural. Sometimes this can stress a dog to a point where he or she might appear aggressive – even when they are not. This program is designed to stimulate dogs emotionally, physically, and mentally to help eliminate stress and avoid shelter burnout. Activities include multiple daily walks, playtime, music, outdoor time, and socialization. 

Free-Roaming Cattery
Cats weren’t meant to be caged. Mt. Pleasant’s feline population have their freedom to roam around two catteries which allow them to interact with each other and enjoy ample attention from potential adopters. Grab a toy and start playing – you know you want to.

Education & Outreach
Mt. Pleasant’s Petucation program focuses on safe interaction with the community. It is the best I have seen to date from a local shelter. Students and adults alike are treated to free lessons on humane care and treatment of animals. The shelter’s dogs travel with Outreach Coordinators to visit schools and workplaces, alike.

Progressive Animal Care
All of Mt. Pleasant’s animals are microchipped, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and receive exceptional veterinary care prior to adoption.

These are essentials for responsible pet owners. In other words, Mt. Pleasant is giving new pet parents a paw up to make sure they have all the information they need with their new furrever one.

Lorri Coppola, Executive Director
There are not enough kind words on Earth to describe Lorri Coppola. Frankly, I wish every shelter and rescue could replicate her, but technology hasn’t gotten that advanced yet. Lorri’s dedication to her team and the animals, compassion for pets everywhere, and clear passion for rescue and advocacy are inspiring. Having worked with Lorri in and out of Mt. Pleasant, I am honored to also be able to call her my friend. And when you go to Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, you will see the kind of impact this incredibly pawesome woman has made on the lives of not only the animals in her charge, but the people who work there as well.

Thank you, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter for being a part of the solution; and for being such a pawesome member of the Best Friends Network.