Northern N.J.'s 5 Best Animal Shelters
Adopting a new dog or cat can be a bit overwhelming. We did our research and found five exceptional animal rescues and shelters in north Jersey to help you find your furry friend. Even if you are not looking for a pet right at this moment, all of these shelters offer volunteer opportunities to mingle and care for different animals in their time of need. By Emily Tamburri.
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Inc.
2 Shelter Lane
Oakland, NJ 07436
201-337-5180
http://rbari.org/
More: Vet Tips: 5 Ways To Keep Your NYC Dog Healthy
Voted one of America's best shelters by Independent Charities of America, this no-kill animal shelter provides each and every animal they rescue with the love and support they need until adoption. The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge is more than just a safe haven for cats and dogs of all ages: it actively participates in its surrounding communities by offering Humane Education courses in local schools, pet clubs and a calendar of events in which all proceeds go towards the well being of their animals. The staff at RBARI is knowledgeable about each of their pets and can guide you through your adoption step by step.
Halfway Hounds
P.O. Box 132
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
201-477-0364
http://www.halfwayhounds.orgHalfway Hounds is a unique organization that focuses on providing adoptable dogs who have been surrendered or can no longer stay in a shelter a foster home to love them in the sometimes difficult interim between abandonment and adoption. Offering opportunities to foster or adopt a potential pet, Halfway Hounds can be a great resource for rebuilding the relationship between human and canine. Halfway Hounds offers customizable training programs based on the individual dogs needs and to prepare each pooch for adoption. Medical records and behavior assessments are available to each new pet parent as well as discounted obedience training and trainer visits.
John A. Bukowski/Bloomfield Shelter for Animals
61 Bukowski Place
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-748-0194
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ517.html
Each year, the John A. Bukowski/Bloomfield Shelter for Animals is the lucky beneficiary of Rutherford's annual Cupcakefest, an event set up to establish awareness of the need for pet adoptions across the state. The John A. Bukowski/Bloomfield Shelter for Animals takes in all types of cats and dogs from pure breeds to mixes, treating each with the kindness and gentle nature needed to heal a stray pet—which is how many come to live at this shelter. Puppies and kittens are socialized through various trainings and exercises with trainers alongside adult and senior dogs and cats and shelter visits are always welcome.
Liberty Humane Society
235 Jersey City Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07305
201-547-4147
http://libertyhumane.org/
Liberty Humane Society's cats and dogs are remarkable pets taken in, often from city streets, and provided with the much needed services of medical attention, shelter and adoption plans. They offer programs and services such as low cost spay/neuter options as well as pet loss support groups, lost and found initiatives to reunite owners with a loved pet and a unique PAL (Pitbulls are Loving) program. PAL offers potential adopters to dispel the negative stereotype of the pitbull breed and encourage their genuinely good natured disposition and temperament. Active training sessions help build a respectful relationship between all dogs and owners, and provide the adopter with the tools needed to maintain a loving relationship with their new pet.
Pet ResQ Inc.
24 West Railroad Avenue
Tenafly, NJ 07670
http://members.petfinder.com/~NJ173/index.htmlThe volunteers and staff at Pet ResQ are dedicated to finding the perfect home for each loveable pooch who is available through their adoption website. Pet ResQ goes to great lengths to make sure that no pet is left unwanted or abandoned, and you will often here of this group "flying in" dogs from all over the country. These dogs are often rescued from high kill shelters and brought here to NJ in hopes of finding their forever homes. Pet ResQ offers great advice for potential adopters and provides them with the skills, love and patience needed to take care of previously abandoned and special needs dogs.
