Common Sense for Animals

Common Sense for Animals was founded in 1991 with the goal of improving animal welfare through adoption, education, and community programs.

We currently rescue 1,500 animals a year out of our existing animal shelter.

However, our current shelter shares land with an animal hospital and a residence, and will be unable to continue in this state.

To continue our mission of animal rescue, a new no-kill shelter build is substantially underway. But, hit by rising costs and inflation the new shelter can only be completed without your support.

Dr. Blease has donated to CSA two lots totaling 4 acres of land sitting next door to the current shelter. These two commercial lots have been combined into one and are now solely owned by Common Sense for Animals. CSA has already completed substantial efforts towards building a 12,000 sq. foot, state-of-the-art shelter, and headquarters.

When it is completed, CSA will be the sole owner of the new expanded shelter which will be operated by our Board of Trustees. Currently, we have 2/3 of the money towards the completion of the shelter. The dozens of necessary pre-construction approvals are green-lit at the State, County, and Township level. Construction has begun! The old structure has been torn down, debris cleared and materials have been delivered. You can see the progress when you drive to our facility. Please join us in this new and long-lasting chapter of CSA’s growing impact in improving animal welfare.

Join Us in our Fight to Build a Better Future for Animals All Over Our Country

Common Sense for Animals has known for some time that the future of our shelter is dependent on separating from our current lot. But never has there been a time more poignant than during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Although we are thrilled at the concept of being able to expand the capacity at which we can care for animals, the most important aspect of creating a new building is allowing Common Sense for Animals to survive for the long term. Some of you may know that there are issues with Common Sense for Animals being able to have its own deed, as it currently exists on our property which includes our home and veterinary practice. This means that in a future where our family is no longer able to take care of Common Sense for Animals, our nonprofit will cease to be, cutting off hundreds of animals from being able to have a place to comfortably wait for their forever homes without the risk of them being euthanized by other shelters that may not have the choice of whether or not the animal gets to live.

That is why we ask you to join us in this fight to give Common Sense for Animals a new home that will be able to sustain itself for years to come even without our family.

Common Sense for Animals was officially founded as a New Jersey non-profit with 501-(c) 3 status in 1990 with a board of directors, volunteers, and employees carrying on CSA’s mission. Before then Dr. Blease was already educating clients and adopting animals out of his own animal hospital.

With the help of friends and others, CSA continued to grow. We spread our message and education through TV programs, newsletters, and lectures. We visited schools and nursing homes and offered shelter and hospital tours to scouts and students alike.

We grew our no-kill adoption program with time, often setting up at county fairs, cat shows, and other events. With some effort and support the shelter expanded into a renovated barn on Dr. Blease’s property across from his animal hospital. Currently, out of that premise, we rescue up to 1,500 animals a year. On average, we house as many as 125 adult animals as well as additional puppies, rabbits, birds, and kittens. We find homes for 1,200 animals that come to us from the animal control officers of several counties, rescue from kill shelters across multiple states, and as adopt-ins on-premise. Those are 1,500 animals a year that would meet their fate at kill shelters, or worse, but for the existence of CSA and our supporters.

Current expansion is underway; CSA’s existence now is at an exciting but perilous juncture. CSA can only continue to serve and rescue in perpetuity on its own two feet. The land for CSA’s new headquarters is deeded to CSA and sits adjacent to our current shelter. Dr. Blease donated 4 acres of land on Route 57 valued at $500,000. Scores of permits, meetings, and approvals have been met. The framework for the new building has arrived on site.

When completed, the new shelter will expand our reach and capacity with the humble goal of doubling our current number of rescues a year. With the support of others, CSA has done the groundwork, and the steel frame of our new shelter has arrived. We began the project with the funding necessary to see it through. Unfortunately, we were delayed by the pandemic; and like everyone, we have been hit with skyrocketing costs.

I invite you to be a part of something new and lasting. Once the new shelter is complete it will be an expanded and state-of-the-art facility. It will house and serve the animals of the community in perpetuity and continue our mission of education and as such we will do all we can to prevent the cruel and horrifying abandonment of animals anywhere our message can reach.

We are currently expanding our outreach on social media and I invite you to visit us on Facebook and our emerging presence across all platforms. But, also please visit buildtheshelter.org to see what we are all working towards as a lasting future for CSA. I thank all of you who have supported us in so many ways and I welcome all who would join us to ensure the presence and growth of our mission of education and animal rescue.

Dr. Blease’s dream is straightforward: a new shelter to provide for all of the animals that would come to us; and a world educated, where all animals are treated fairly, and no kittens are ever abandoned in boxes to die alone. I invite you to join in that dream.

This is Nengry or Nikki. She is a 10-year-old Terrier Mix. Nikki is a sweetheart and loves affection. She becomes very upset when she awakes and is alone. Nikki starts crying, so we pick her up and take her outside for a little while and then she feels good. Her sister, who was the same age, just passed so she is missing her. We do have someone that is interested in her but she has some medical issues that we would like to clear up first.

We just want her to be content and happy in her new home. We would need to get at least $800 to cover what is needed. A dental, spay, test, medication, etc. If you can help Nikki, it would be wonderful so she can start her new life!

Your one donation can provide homes and care for cats and kittens for decades to come.

See the progress in our latest photos.

We are "Common Sense for Animals" or CSA. Last year we adopted 1,200 animals out of our existing no-kill shelter. Founded in 1991 we began by adopting animals out of the waiting room of Dr. Blease's veterinary hospital. As CSA grew, we expanded into a converted long barn to house and adopt animals. The previous expansion was a huge success and overtime allowed us to save helpless animals by the thousands.

Now we need to expand again and establish a shelter to rescue animals in perpetuity. 4 acres of land were donated by Dr. Blease to CSA for future rescues to call their temporary home on the way to new pet lovers. Building construction is currently ongoing at our new location. And while we had the necessary funding before the pandemic, we now face the same additional costs and inflation as everyone else. We are seeking donations to furnish the feline wing of our shelter with everything from housing to toys, and care and neuter facilities.

We are a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter located in Warren County, N. J. We are the only physical shelter in the County, and provide safe haven to over 150 lost, abandoned, and unwanted companion pets at any given time. The mission of Common Sense for Animals is to promote animal welfare through education and community service. We strive to educate all people, as to what constitutes proper care and the importance of protecting our environment, wildlife, habitat and endangered species.

We need your help to continue rescuing and housing the kittens of our surrounding communities. Without us we know animals of our community go uncared for, euthanized or worse. Your donation goes to a shelter we plan to operate for another 100 years. That's a lot of felines asking for your help.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Roger's surgery at Common Sense for Animals, and any donation will help make an impact. Roger came to us through Animal Control. He was found abandoned and tied to a pole at Hackettstown Veterinary Hospital. He has a large mass on his neck that needs a biopsy and to be removed. He also was very matted! Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me and everyone here that cares for Roger!

More information about Common Sense for Animals: We are a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter located in Warren County, N. J. We are the only physical shelter in the County, and we provide safe haven to over 250 lost, abandoned, and unwanted companion pets at any given time. The mission of Common Sense for Animals is to promote animal welfare through education and community service. We strive to educate all people, as to what constitutes proper care and the importance of protecting our environment, wildlife, habitat and endangered species.