Become a Sponsor Today
We at NJSH Pet Rescue promise each dog we bring into our rescue family that we will ALWAYS stand by them. From the moment we meet them to the time they find a home of their own.
Each has a unique story that always includes hope and second chances. Some of our dogs have been waiting a long time—patiently dreaming of a family to call their own.
Our Sponsor Program helps us care for these wonderful dogs by covering boarding, food, medical care, exercise, training, enrichment and any other need they have. Our foster families are also supported.
With a small monthly donation, you become part of their journey, ensuring they continue to receive the highest level of care and love until they find their forever homes.
Together, we can make every day brighter for them. Join our Sponsor Program today and change a life—paw by paw.
Cooper's Story
For the love of Cooper
It is often hard to explain to people why it is so hard for us to place Cooper, especially since he will approach you with a full body wiggle. He is a beagle beagle- he loves to sniff!! Cooper is smart as a whip. He does scent work, which he loves and sharpens his training skills with Ally - he just LOVES the interaction and showing off what he has learned.
We took Cooper into rescue during COVID in the parking lot of our vet's office. His family wanted him euthanized and we agreed that we would take him to save his life. They said he is unpredictable and he can be.
We know that he can live successfully in a home because he has spent time in our homes. It only works because we are ever vigilant and careful. As a responsible rescue we have to be honest about what we have and he has some very specific needs.
So for now Cooper lives with us in boarding where he is loved, spoiled and safe. His life is filled with training, yard time with our volunteers and pack walks and his best friend Duke, who lives beside him
The commitment we made to him in that parking lot is one we plan to keep. Until we find a place called home for him, his home is with us and we love this little beagle. After all of these years, we have never been able to find him an adopter who understands that he needs to be kept safe. He wasn’t safe in his puppy years and that’s produced the defensive dog we have seen at times.
Cooper isn't going to go to the coffee shop - or hang out with lots of people, but he will be a good walking buddy and the dearest, most loyal friend.
He has mellowed with age. He isn’t that jumpy, defensive dog we first met, which we see anytime he comes home with one of us for a visit.
We love Cooper but we know that he can have a better life with an individual who will set him up to succeed by giving him a calm - predictable life.
Duke's Story
March 17th, 2019, Duke took the long journey to NJ from NC in the loving hands of the all-volunteer transport - Hearts to Home. He had our hearts the moment we saw him, and we were pretty certain that we had rescued his brother months before. We never leave anyone behind,d so we set out to find fosters for both Duke and the other hound found with him. When the other hound was rescued and Duke was left behind and put on “the list“ we took him with no plan in place.
We luckily found a wonderful foster home and Duke did great there!! He was affectionate and loving to all people and animals. No matter where we took him he made a friend. Duke was quickly adopted and the updates we received showed pictures that he was doing great there too!!
Two years later, he was returned to us with a behavior we hadn’t seen before and a lapse in veterinary care.
We got him up to date (UTD) with shots and treated him for Lyme disease. We sent him back to his original foster home but they were not comfortable with the guarding behavior he had developed. We moved Duke to our boarding facility, waiting for another chance.
He was lucky again and went into a foster home for a year and did great there - rules were followed - a plan was put into place and he flourished. His guarding was manageable, but what wasn’t manageable was the environment around him. New neighbors had target practice in their yard that caused Duke to flee in panic and have severe anxiety. For his safety, he was again returned to us and moved to boarding.
Duke helps us while he waits, he meets every dog that passes through our boarding facility and helps them feel comfortable. We show him all the love and affection he deserves and he gives it right back. He lives a happy life with his best friend Cooper (our other long term boarder) by his side.
We met with a few families, but none were willing to follow some simple rules to help him stay safe and thrive, so he is with us until we find a family dedicated to his needs.
We have been asked why we haven't sent him to a sanctuary or done something far worse - the answer is simple. Sanctuary isn’t always safe or a guarantee that the dog will live a good life- there are few good ones and we would never risk it.
We made a promise to him the day he came to us in 2019, one that we have kept; he is with us until we find his best forever home. We spoil him every day with a safe environment, a comfy bed, stimulating training, the best veterinary care, playful enrichment and walks with our team.
It’s an expensive proposition, but he is worth every bit of it!
Juliana's Story
Juliana recently celebrated her 4th year with us - even with the love and patience of the most dedicated foster family, she just never got brave enough to fly on her own.
In January 2022, we were asked if we would consider helping 2 puppies who were running loose in rural NC. They kept showing up in someone’s yard and would get close, but trapping them proved to be a challenge. Juliana was first to be trapped and after 3 long weeks, brother Noah went into the trap too. Of course, they were very timid and scared.
We know that all dogs are on their own time clock and Noah, although scared, was able to go home with his new family. We quickly found that Juliana would not be so quick.
We were so lucky to find an amazing foster family for her, where she communicates well with the dogs in her foster home, but it took her some time to learn to trust her foster family. We are truly grateful for our foster families because no matter what happens, they stick with their dogs.
It took many months for them to even touch her. We believe that her foster family truly changed her life, and we look forward to many more firsts for her. Even the simplest gestures make us all so happy, like “Juliana took a Cheeto from my hand” and a bunch of adults jump for joy!!!
The good news is she is so much better now than when she first came to us several years ago. And in even better news, her foster family has loved her all of those years and a pack of dogs who she adores !!
Sandy's Story
It no secret we love our seniors ❤️ Sandy is very special to us
Sandy is likely about 10-12 years old, and when we found her at the shelter, she was shaking in the outdoor section of her run - too frightened to move.
Her story was pieced together to reveal that her original owner had died and Sandy was given away by family members - the person who she was given to went into the hospital and her family member brought her to the shelter as a stray. No one wanted to take responsibility for this precious soul.
Can you imagine that feeling for a loyal dog?
On January 27th, 2026 we celebrated Sandy’s 1 year Gotcha Day!
In that time we treated chronic ear issues, addressed a Thyroid problem and treated her for Cushing's Disease. We are so happy to report we feel she is finally pain!
She is enjoying her life with her forever foster parents, who have taken such very good care of her and made her a part of their family and their pack.
Sandy will remain in our fospice program. Which means she is fostered forever under our care.
We are so happy we have you, beautiful girl❤️
We remain committed to her and will continue to give her the very best in veterinary care.
Walter's Story
Walter joined us from the Bergen County Animal Shelter in August of 2024. He was obviously terrified, shaking and trembling and the shelter was looking for rescue to help.
We scooped him up and once we brought him into a committed, loving foster home, he was a completely different dog. He is comfortable and has lived happily with the resident dogs.
We hoped to find him a home, and we did one trial adoption, but Walter was not having it!! He made it clear to us he was happy where he was!
We have since discovered he is in kidney failure and decided it was best for Walter to stay with us in our fospice program. He will continue to be given the best of everything and, most of all the love he deserves.
Wheezy's Story
We brought Wheezy home from AHS Newark in July 2023 and she has been in our fospice program since.
Her world was turned upside down when her owner became ill and could no longer care for her. Surrendered to the shelter, she was overwhelmed and scared, unsure of what the future held; but the moment she left the shelter with us, she showed her true colors by cuddling up on the ride home, grateful for every ounce of love she received.
Wheezy was recently diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, but with daily medication, she’s living her best life with her foster family's love and support. She showers all who she meets with unconditional love and happiness.