A dog named Willow was left in a plastic storage bin at the entrance to Associated Humane Societies' Newark shelter on Monday, then managed to escape the bin and was found running loose outside the facility before staff safely caught her. Temperatures had dipped to 47 degrees while she was left outside, and she is now receiving a medical evaluation and care at the shelter.
Surveillance Footage Shows Someone Walking Away
According to News12 New Jersey, Associated Humane Societies said an unidentified person was seen on surveillance footage leaving Willow at the shelter entrance and walking away. An AHS employee later discovered that Willow had escaped from the bin and was running loose outside the building. Staff were able to catch her before anything could happen to her, the outlet reported.
Shelter staff said Willow will not have to experience the fear and uncertainty of abandonment again, per the same account. AHS said it will care for Willow until she's ready for adoption, with the shelter confirming she won't be available for adoption until November 12.
A Shelter Already Stretched Thin
Willow's case lands at a shelter that has been under serious strain for months. Associated Humane Societies' Newark location took in more than 500 animals in August alone, with roughly three-quarters of them arriving as strays, according to a Hoodline report. That same report noted the shelter received 12 cats on a single day in early September, part of weekly feline intakes that reportedly exceeded 138 animals, and that a roof collapse in December 2025 displaced more than 30 dogs and left the facility with ongoing space constraints.
Willow isn't the first animal found abandoned in a plastic container near a New Jersey shelter this year. In January, two severely neglected dogs named Gucci and Grandpa were surrendered inside a plastic storage tote, covered in more than three pounds of hardened, matted fur, Hoodline reported. In early September 2026, 16 small dogs were found abandoned in a Newark home with severely matted hair requiring extensive medical and grooming care, according to NBC New York. AHS said those dogs were rescued after their owner reportedly moved out about a month earlier, and some needed sedation just to address their matted coats before they could be made available for adoption once medically cleared.
Similar Scenes Beyond New Jersey
Plastic bins have turned up as makeshift drop-off containers at shelters elsewhere too. At Anne Arundel County Animal Services in Maryland, a man once left three plastic storage bins containing eight cats and kittens outside the public shelter, according to The Dodo. Staff there found the animals panting and moved them into wire traps to be cooled off by a fan; that outlet later reported every one of the cats and kittens, including their mother, Mazda, had been adopted.
What New Jersey Law Says
New Jersey guidance addresses both how shelters must handle surrendered animals and how companion animals must be protected from the elements. The New Jersey Department of Health states that an animal received by a shelter, pound, or kennel from an individual, group, or organization must be held for at least seven days before being offered for adoption, euthanized, relocated, or sterilized, with an exception noted for voluntary owner surrender. Separately, guidance from the Denville Police Department says New Jersey law makes it unlawful to expose a dog, domestic companion animal, or service animal to adverse environmental conditions for more than 30 minutes unless the animal has continuous access to proper shelter.
For now, Willow remains in AHS's care as she recovers and awaits becoming available for adoption on November 12. The shelter has not released further details about her medical evaluation or long-term outcome.
