Heavy snow accumulation crushed the shelter’s roof, displacing 30 dogs

A New Jersey animal shelter is feeling the love from its community after a roof collapse displaced more than 30 dogs at the facility.

On Dec. 29, Associated Humane Societies of Newark shared that the roof of its rear kennels sustained “significant damage” after heavy snow accumulation on the roof of a neighboring business,” which fell and crushed the roof of the building, according to a post to the organization’s Facebook page.

“Suddenly, there was this tremendous boom,” shelter employee Olivia Gonzalez told CBS New York. “They rushed, and they saw just absolute chaos and destruction in the rear end of the kennels.”

The area damaged by the snowfall housed about 30 of the shelter’s approximately 175 dogs, creating an urgent need for foster families.

“With the shelter already full, the sudden loss of this critical kennel space is devastating,” the shelter shared. “We urgently need foster homes for dogs 40 lbs and over. These placements are temporary and lifesaving.”

Two days later, the shelter had already received an “incredible” response to their request for foster volunteers, with “only two dogs left for foster,” according to an update post shared on Dec. 31.

The rescue shared that its employees and volunteers were working “around the clock” to process foster applications and urged potential adopters to be patient.

Although the shelter’s emergency need has been met, the organization said it is still accepting foster applicants because it continues to take in homeless pets, including 6 strays rescued in a single day.

“We are still taking in stray dogs, lost dogs,” Olivia Gonzalez of the Associated Humane Societies of Newark told ABC7. “So in this time that we are unable to house dogs in those 30 kennels, the foster support is vital to us.”

The organization asked that people who come to the shelter for a “meet and greet” with a potential new pet bring their entire household — including dogs and children — along with a valid photo ID and “your patience.”

Associated Humane Societies of Newark has also set up an Amazon wishlist for those who wish to donate.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Associated Humane Societies of Newark for comment.