We’ve taken some time to recuperate from the holidays and hope you have too. We are back with more recommendations! If you’re looking to offer your home (and time) to a new furry friend, we have some places to suggest.
At Your Dogs Best Friend, we stand behind the concept of, “adopt don’t shop.” We know that this helps curb overpopulation by caring for dogs that already need care and support. This avenue can provide professional, lifetime support from shelter employees. No one cares more than these folks. They can offer insights into your pets needs and behaviors, assist you with moving your pet into a new home, and provide help with training and behavioral work.
These shelters are part of your community. Adopting through places like these supports that community and by adopting through them also contributes to the ongoing care of the animals left at the shelter.
Who knows, you might just find your dream pet and new best friend!
Boonton, NJ | (973) 658-7001 | Instagram
For some animals, there is not much hope besides looking up to the night sky for the North Star. True to their name, NorthStar Pet Rescue are a group of passionate volunteers committed to saving innocent dogs and finding them a new forever home.
NorthStar Pet Rescue was founded in 2017, and although a relatively new name among New Jersey animal rescues, they have spent time volunteering with other rescues to help animals over the past decade.
Particularly around the holidays, NorthStar puts on a number of events from Photos with Santa to the Christmas Parade. They are community oriented and are always partnering with local businesses. Stay up to date with all the happenings by following their Instagram page.
Lafayette, NJ | (973) 300-5909 | Instagram
Fun Fact! Hannah volunteered here.
Father John’s Animal House brings people and animals together. While in Father Johns’ care, these animal will benefit from love, companionship, shelter, food, socialization, and medical care until permanent, loving homes can be found.
Founded in 1999 by a small and dedicated group of people that recognized a great need, the land and facility was acquired through a few large donations and the shelter was immediately able to start placing animals into loving adoptive homes. The land was originally overseen by Father John, a retired member of the clergy, who took exceedingly good care of his livestock. The shelter was named after him to honor his dedication to the welfare of animals.
Father John’s has placed more than 5,000 animals in loving homes since opening in 1999.
Be aware of their hours of operation: by appointment only on Wednesdays and Fridays.
All other days, pre-scheduled appointments with walk-ins between the hours of 11:00AM - 3:00PM.
Flanders, NJ | (973) 664-0865 | Instagram
As their name would suggest, most of the animals at Eleventh Hour Rescue are rescued at their eleventh hour - when they are scheduled to be put to death by other shelters that can no longer provide care. Both dogs and cats are given all the medical attention they require, a place to live, and through an extensive adoption services, a second chance at a happy and fulfilled life.
They “will not stop, until all of the cages are empty.”
Eleventh Hour Rescue has an extensive Foster Family Program. These are volunteers who take in dogs or cats that match their lifestyle and home situation. The pets live with the Foster Family until they get adopted. Foster Families provide food, water and a warm, loving home in which the pet has an opportunity to live and thrive in a home environment. Foster Families bring their dog or cat to adoption events as much as possible to facilitate their adoption.
Eleventh Hour Rescue hosts and attends many types of events each year. There are adoption events where healthy, well behaved dogs and cats are brought to public spaces to be viewed, in hopes of getting them adopted. There are fund raising events and donation drives which take place at local businesses and their own facilities.
Slightly different from other shelters, Eleventh Hour hosts mostly adoption events at places like the Roxbury Mall, Rockaway Mall, and Tractor Supply locations. They have a kennel location but this is only open by appointment for approved applicants. Please visit their website for specifics.
We hope you will consider adding a family member to your home from one of these community led places!
