Popcorn Park Animal Refuge: Why This South Jersey Treasure Deserves a Visit
By Jerry Mac, Keller Williams Realty
Two of the rescued residents saying hello at Popcorn Park. Photo: Jerry Mac
A Place With a Big Heart
Most of what I write here is about homes and towns. This one's a little different, because it's about a place close to my heart.
I'm Jerry Mac, and I've sold homes in South Jersey for 23 years. My wife and I have always rescued animals, and Popcorn Park holds a special place for us. We donate to the refuge and sponsor a few of the animals who live there, so every visit feels a little like checking in on family. So when I think about the places in New Jersey that make me proud, Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River is right near the top of the list.
Popcorn Park isn't a zoo in the usual sense. Every animal there was rescued from a bad situation. Some were abandoned, some were hurt, and some were just too old or sick for anyone else to take in. Here, they get a home for life.
If you've never been, I hope this gets you in the car. And if you've been before, maybe it's time for another visit.
It All Started With One Raccoon
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge began in 1977 with a single raccoon. He'd been caught in a leg-hold trap, and he could never survive back in the wild. So the Associated Humane Societies took him in and gave him a home for life (AHS).
That one act of kindness grew into something special. Today the refuge sits on about 7 acres in the Pine Barrens of Ocean County, and it's home to more than 200 animals and birds.
The animals come from all kinds of hard situations: abandonment, cruelty, injury, illness, old age, or owners who never should have had them. Here's who you'll meet:
- Exotic animals, including big cats and plenty of primates
- Wildlife native to North America that can't make it on their own anymore. Any animal that can safely go back to the wild does.
- Farm animals like horses, donkeys, goats, cows, pigs and sheep. Some were saved from slaughter, and some were "projects" or pets nobody wanted anymore.
- Birds of all kinds, all through the park
What gets me every time is that each animal has its own story. You're not just looking at a goat. You're looking at a goat somebody gave up on, and somebody else refused to.
One of the friendly goats at Popcorn Park. Photo: Jerry Mac
Planning Your Visit to Popcorn Park Zoo
Popcorn Park is at 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731, in Lacey Township. It's open every day from 10 AM to 4 PM, and the last entry is at 3:30. Hours can change with the weather, and it closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Admission as of fall 2026:
- Adults: $12
- Seniors (62+): $7
- Children 3 to 11: $7
- Children under 3: Free
- Military: $8 for adults, $3 for children and seniors
- Wildlife Club and Zoological Society members: Free
Every dollar goes toward caring for the animals, so I think of it as a donation with a great view.
A few tips before you go:
- Wear comfortable shoes. The paths are sandy and unpaved. Strollers work, but it gets bumpy. They have beach wheelchairs if you need one.
- Leave the snacks in the car. Feeding the animals isn't allowed anymore because many need special diets, and there's no outside food inside the park. There's a picnic area right outside the entrance, and they sell cold drinks and ice cream inside.
- Leave your own pets home. Only working service animals are allowed.
- Give yourself about two hours to see everything at a relaxed pace.
Always check the refuge's website or call 609-693-1900 before you head out, just to be sure.
Ways You Can Help the Animals
Popcorn Park runs on the kindness of people like you. If a visit tugs at your heart the way it does mine, here's how you can pitch in:
- Sponsor an animal. Through the Wildlife Club, you can sponsor a specific resident and help cover their care. It makes a great gift, too. My wife and I sponsor a few of the residents ourselves, and it's one of the most rewarding things we do.
- Join the Zoological Society. An annual membership gets you in free all year and supports the whole refuge.
- Donate. You can give online or in person. They also take blankets, towels, sheets and toys any day from 9 AM to 5 PM, so clean out that linen closet.
- Adopt. The Associated Humane Societies has dogs and cats looking for homes. If you're thinking about a new family member, start here.
- Volunteer. They have a volunteer program if you'd like to give your time.
- Go to an event. The refuge holds fundraisers through the year, like their animal trivia night. Check their events page for what's coming up.
You'll find all of these on the Associated Humane Societies website. Even one visit helps, because your admission goes straight to the animals.
One of the rescued primates who calls Popcorn Park home. Photo: Jerry Mac
An Easy Day Trip From South Jersey
One of the things I love about living in South Jersey is how much is within reach. From Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Moorestown or Burlington County, Forked River is roughly an hour's drive, depending on traffic. That makes Popcorn Park a perfect Saturday outing.
Make a day of it. Pack a lunch for the picnic area outside the gate, spend the morning with the animals, and then explore a little more of Ocean County. Double Trouble State Park is nearby, and Barnegat Bay is just down the road.
It's also a great reminder of why so many people choose to put down roots here. You get small-town living, easy access to Philly, and places like this just a short drive away. If you're curious about the towns I serve, check out my guides to living in Palmyra and Cinnaminson neighborhoods.
Popcorn Park Zoo FAQ
Where is Popcorn Park Zoo?
At 1 Humane Way in Forked River, NJ 08731, in Lacey Township, Ocean County.
What are Popcorn Park Zoo's hours?
It's open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, with last entry at 3:30 PM. It closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and closes early on some summer holidays.
How much is admission to Popcorn Park Zoo?
As of fall 2026, it's $12 for adults, $7 for seniors 62 and up, $7 for children 3 to 11, and free for kids under 3. Military discounts are available.
Can you feed the animals at Popcorn Park?
Not anymore. Many of the animals need special diets, so feeding, including the popcorn the park was named for, has been stopped.
Can I bring my dog to Popcorn Park?
No. Only working service animals are allowed.
Is Popcorn Park a real zoo?
It's an animal refuge run by the Associated Humane Societies. Every animal there was rescued and has a home for life.
How can I help Popcorn Park?
You can sponsor an animal, become a member, donate money or supplies, volunteer, or adopt a pet from the Associated Humane Societies.
Go See Them
Popcorn Park is proof of what a little compassion can do. It started with one hurt raccoon, and today it's home to more than 200 animals who finally got their second chance. Go visit, bring the kids or grandkids, and tell the animals Jerry Mac says hello.
And if a day trip like this has you thinking about making South Jersey home, I'd love to help. I've spent 23 years helping people buy and sell homes here, and I know these towns inside and out.
Call or text me, Jerry Mac, at 856-220-1874, or visit www.southjerseyrealty.com to search South Jersey homes for sale or get a free home value report.
Jerry Mac, Keller Williams Realty