How One New Jersey Winery Is Helping Homeless Animals This Weekend

Since the devastating aftermath of the Civil War in the 1860s, Animal Abandonment has been an issue in the United States. The first animal shelter was established in Bensalem, Pennsylvania to take in the horses abandoned by soldiers and dogs abandoned by people who moved after the war.

Over the next 100 years, people adopting animals as their pets became more popular in the United States. According to a TIME article in 1974, pet ownership was declared a "democratic right" and researchers estimated 60 percent of American homes had a pet animal.

Today, there is over $123 Billion spent each year on Pet Products in the United States. But with an estimated 5.8 million dogs and cats entering animal shelters in 2024, only around 40 percent of animal adoptions are from Animal Shelters.

This weekend, one South Jersey business is raising money for a local Animal Shelter as we enter the summer season at the Jersey Shore.

How You Can Help A South Jersey Animal Shelter

On Saturday, May 31st, a New Jersey Winery is raising money to support a No-Kill Animal Shelter here in South Jersey.

Beacon Animal Rescue, located on Butter Road in Upper Township, is a short drive from Ocean City. Since 2003, Beacon has been saving animals from abandonment and now has a Veterinary Clinic to serve the community as well.

The Wags and Wine Fundraiser will be from 11 am to 5 pm at Briganti by the Bay Vineyard and Winery on the southbound side of State Route 47 near mile marker 13, a short drive from The Wildwoods.  Formerly known as Natali Vineyards, Briganti by the Bay is a farm winery, and proceeds from Saturday will go to Beacon Animal Rescue.

There will be a special Yoga Class from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm pairing wine and puppies together at the winery. Then there will be live entertainment and wine tasting opportunities throughout the afternoon.

For more information about the Wags and Wine Fundraiser, you can visit the Briganti by the Bay Vineyard and Winery Instagram.  They are one of the great wineries you can find in New Jersey, so make sure you support these local businesses for some great wine: