A local nonprofit has been awarded a three-year contract for $150,000 per year to run the Ewing animal shelter.

The contract, which has a two-year extension option, commenced Jan. 1.

EASEL Animal Rescue League, which prides itself on its "no-kill" philosophy with animals, has been operating the shelter on emergent, temporary contracts for about two years now.

The current deal formalizes and furthers their relationship with Ewing, EASEL Executive Director Wendy Sturgeon and President Karen Azarchi say.

And, they say, they're saving Ewing money.

Azarchi said it's not clear if the average taxpayer will feel it in their bill, but the annual $150,000 is lower than the township previously budgeted for the shelter.

She and Sturgeon say they believe the arrangement - a town having a nonprofit, no-kill group run a shelter - is a first for New Jersey.

"This is a stepping stone for us, because our goal is to build a regional shelter in Mercer County," Azarchi said.

The group has a network of foster volunteers, adoption agencies and other rescue groups that allows them to avoid killing any animals brought to the shelter.

For example, young cats are adopted, while other older cats they receive are spayed or neutered and released, "back into the colony," Azarchi said.

In 2017, EASEL adopted about 600 cats and kittens, as well as 139 dogs, Azarchi said.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.