Here in Hudson County, we love our pets. From our super friendly dogs to amazingly clever cats, we enjoy showering them with hugs, kisses, and love. Of course, not every pet out there has had an amazing start. Some local pets have been rescued by local people and families, giving them a loving home that all four-legged babies deserve. We reached out to our readers and rounded up a few Hoboken + Jersey City rescue pets that are living their best lives right here, locally — and are sharing their stories to bring you some extra holiday cheer. 💚💚💚💚
Harrison, According to His Owner Kaitlin
^ Harrison before
^ Harrison after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
From Second Chance Pet Adoption League of Oak Ridge, NJ.
How did you know he was the one?
Initially, I didn’t! But by the time we drove home and spent the next few days together, I realized Harrison was never going to leave my side. He’s very chill {doesn’t mind spending a Sunday napping all day like his mom} and just has the most amazing demeanor.
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
Harrison gets to sleep in Monday through Friday while I head to work. Midday he gets walked with his buddy Ollie by his walker Grace. When I get home, we spend time outside either going for a long stroll or in the dog run so he can play with his doggie friends. On weekends, I typically look for places to go that are pet-friendly, whether it be a cafe/bar or some kind of pop-up event for dogs.
What are your pet’s likes?
He loves dogs that are bigger than him, elk antlers + yak chews, American cheese, and going for walks around Jersey City.
What are your pet’s dislikes?
Taking his monthly flea/tick medication, the rain, peanut butter, and his seat belt for car rides.
Your pet’s favorite treat?
He loves Cadet’s Sweet Potato Duck Wraps and bully sticks!
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Don’t get discouraged if the whole process takes longer than you imagined. And once you have your pet, give it time and give it a chance! There are way more people than you can imagine who adopt and then return the dog shortly after — it’s very sad.
Luna, According to Her Owner Camila
^ Luna before
^ Luna after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
We rescued her from Animal Haven in NYC but she was rescued in Puerto Rico by The Sato Project.
How did you know she was the one?
As soon as we saw Luna, previously known as Maxine, we fell in love. There was so much sadness and fear in her eyes that all you wanted to do was give her a hug and let her know everything was going to be ok. We were able to hang out with her in a little room for a bit which was when she started to come out of her shell — sitting on our laps, leaning into our neck scratches, letting us give her belly rubs. It was the best 10 minutes of my life and we knew she had to be ours.
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
She will normally wake us up to give her breakfast and go to the dog park. She loves saying hi to every single dog and person we see, she is very social. During the weekday, she will mostly hang out during the day with walks by Trusty Tails but on the weekends is when she has the best time. We’ll go for long walks in the morning and she’ll usually come with us to whatever errands or activities we have going on, she loves her car rides.
What are your pet’s likes?
She’s a very active pup, loves being outside but especially enjoys swimming at the bay during the summer. She’s also a huge snuggle bug, enjoys getting some belly rubs and sunbathing in our living room. She is also obsessed with snacking on bananas, mangos, and apples. She’s never met a treat she didn’t like.
What are your pet’s dislikes?
The vacuum.
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
Bananas by far, but she enjoys her Peanut Butter Buddy Biscuits and her Bocce treats from Bocce’s Bakery.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Check out The Sato Project! Fair warning, there’s no such thing as just going to “check out” dogs at the shelter. They will be coming home with you!
Butterbeer, According to Her Owner Gavriella
^ Butterbeer before {winking!}
^ Butterbeer after 😭
Where did you rescue your pet from?
Harbin China {organization is in New Jersey} through Monty’s Mission Organization.
How did you know she was the one?
We really wanted a corgi and we knew that we needed to rescue. When Monty’s Mission saved Butterbeer and her brothers from a dog meat truck they had lung infections and we knew we needed to give her a loving home. She had such a hard upbringing but the videos and pictures we were sent showed she still had such a big personality and we knew we could show her love so she could trust humans again.
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
Butters loves to sleep, so she cuddles with us until 8:00AM or 9:00AM depending on our work schedules. She loves to be outside chasing leaves and sticks. She sleeps and plays while we’re at work until our favorite dog walker {Will from Furever Friends New Jersey} walks her at lunch. When we’re home we play tug and fetch a lot, and Butters loves every dog she meets and she has a ton of energy so we have a lot of play dates with her friends Fitzdrogo, Walter, and Westley.
What are your pet’s likes?
Dogs to play with, squeak toys, chew toys, tug + cat toys, treats, and sticks + leaves.
What are your pet’s dislikes?
Butters doesn’t like certain noises — for example, she is very scared of the dishwasher. She hates suitcases and strollers {specifically when we’re at home} and she is cautious around strangers in our house.
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
She loves when we make her boiled chicken, chicken + beef treats, and greenies.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Don’t get discouraged — it takes a lot of time and a lot of research! It took our family six months to a year to find a corgi rescue that had availability and read through our application and approved us. Don’t give up because there are so many dogs out there that need happy homes!
Lucy, According to Her Owner Lizzie
^ Lucy before
^ Lucy after
Ted {T-Pain} and Tina Turner, According to Their Owner Tracey
^ Ted before
^ Tina before
{Photo credit: @tater.spots}
^ Ted and Tina after
Where did you rescue your pets from?
Wise Animal Rescue, which is a foster-based organization.
How did you know they were the ones?
I had been searching for a suitable companion for my dog Spot, who was 15 at the time and has since passed away, and thought an elderly small dog with similar mannerisms would be best. I saw Ted on the Ying Yang Twins Instagram and saw he was up for adoption and immediately knew he would be perfect. Ted and Spot got on immediately and although I fostered-to-adopt to ensure it was the right fit, I knew right away Ted was a keeper.
After Spot passed away in April, I wanted a companion for Ted. Working with Wise Animal Rescue, Tina {then known as Bailey} was thought to be a passive dog who would be suitable for Ted’s bossy personality and needed a home. As Tina became more comfortable, we realized she was just as bossy as Ted! They have very much a sibling relationship where they pretend to just tolerate each other during the day but cuddle at night.
Tell us about a typical day for your pets.
Tina and Ted like to sleep in, so even the days when my husband and I have to get up early from work, we have to pry them both from under the covers. They have their morning walk throughout Stevens Park, seeing their neighborhood friends.
On weekends, we try to see their favorite dog buddies — Luna and Coley {my sister’s dogs also based in Hoboken @coleyandluna} and Gouda {@gouda_loy}, and they also travel with us to our weekend excursions.
At night, we always reserve cuddle time with them since it’s their favorite.
What are your pets’ likes?
Cuddles — they are both at their happiest when we’re all cuddling on the couch together. Ted lets you know when he’s especially happy because he’ll start snorting like a pig.
What are your pets’ dislikes?
Tina — trucks. The loud noises that trucks have terrify her but we’re working on it with training.
Ted — being hungry or tired. You can tell he gets moody if he’s either of these things.
What are your pets’ favorite treats?
There’s not a treat that either Tina or Ted has rejected. They like peanut butter, chicken, cheese, and dental chews. They tend to stay away from vegetables that are accidentally dropped on the floor though.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Find a breed/age range that works best for your lifestyle. If you like outdoor activities/hiking and have time to do those activities frequently, then an energetic breed/younger dog may be better suited for you. If you like to hang out at home more and want to cuddle, maybe an older dog is a better choice {trust me there are so many elderly dogs looking for a home and are perfectly well-trained}. I also highly recommend using a behaviorist when adopting a dog. I’ve used K9 Problem Solvers for both dogs and can’t recommend Laura enough. Lastly, if you don’t think you have the time to permanently adopt a dog, look into fostering for a rescue organization.
Betty, According to Her Owner Meghan
^ Betty before
{Photo credit: @totalbetty_bulldog}
^ Betty after 🦖
Where did you rescue your pet from?
Cenla Alliance for Animals — “CAFA.” This organization makes regular trips up north to re-home animals. They have a profile on PetFinder.com
How did you know she was the one?
We had an English Bulldog in the past and had our heart set on rescuing one this time around. When we found this beautiful dog with those big brown eyes, we knew we had to have her. We’d never seen a chocolate bulldog before!
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
Betty gets up and goes for a walk around 6:00AM. She comes home and snoozes until the dog walker comes with her French Bulldog friend, Gus.
After work, we go hang out in Stevens or one of the many dog parks around town. On average she has five walks a day between us and the dog walker.
What are your pet’s likes?
Lacrosse balls, belly rubs, rainstorms, swimming pools, {no, she can’t swim} and dog-friendly pubs!
What are your pet’s dislikes?
Peanut butter, motorcycles, and getting eye drops.
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
ORIJEN Regional Red Dog Treats, available from Cornerstone Pets.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
It is very important to find a dog that fits with your lifestyle, finances, and living situation. Although some dogs are adorable, apartment living in an urban environment might not be what’s best for the dog. Vet care is expensive. Make sure to factor that in and look for pet insurance coverage, especially if you’re looking breeds with known health issues.
Mikey, According to His Owner Samantha
^ Mikey before
^ Mikey after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
Humane Society of Bergen County in Lyndhurst, NJ.
How did you know he was the one?
I met Mikey for the first time at PetSmart, {the Humane Society of Bergen County was hosting an adoption event} and I stuck my hand through his cage to pet this big boy. I withdrew my hand and he immediately stuck his meaty paw out of the cage to pet me. I nearly fainted — I had to have this cat.
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
Mikey usually springs awake whenever I start getting ready for work and starts meowing since he knows breakfast is nearing {he gets wet food which is basically a treat}. After all the roommates have left for work, Mikey spends his day lounging on his window perch or in one of our rooms and hanging out with Sophie {my roommate’s dog}. They recently have come to an understanding and have started plotting against us by knocking bags of treats over and attacking them while we are at work. In the evening, Mikey eats dinner and lounges wherever he pleases. He sleeps in whoever’s room feels right for the night. He purrs incredibly loud and just wants all the attention.
What are your pet’s likes?
Attention, all of it. From everyone. Mikey is the center of attention whenever we have people over. And Temptations’ catnip treats. Big treat guy. He also likes going for a sprint up the stairs.
What are your pet’s dislikes?
Not being the center of everyone’s focus. Not getting half the bag of treats at a time. Not too keen on getting his nails clipped but is very patient nonetheless!
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
Temptations’ catnip treats! He actually turns into a fiend. He must have them. He will scramble towards you and paw you and the bag until you provide the goods. He needs his fix.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Please consider the senior pets. Mikey was one of the older cats at the shelter and had been there for a while. Most people gravitate towards kittens/puppies since they’re fun and itty bitty, but the older guys are just as great and have already fully established personalities. All they want is love and a comfy home to enjoy their senior days. Please make sure you have the time to dedicate yourself to your future animal before making the commitment. Hoboken is such a fantastic place to be a pet owner, with all the vets, pet stores, and pet sitting services like Rover and Wag. Also, you’ll know when you have found “the one.” In a way, I think they find you.
Lady Bea Arthur Saxton, According to Her Owner Nicole
^ Lady Bea before
^ Lady Bea after
Barkley, According to His Owner Jacqueline
^ Barkley with his sisters before
^ Barkley after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
True & Faithful Pet Rescue Mission, based in Florida. Their sister organization, True North, is in Brooklyn.
How did you know he was the one?
We saw Barkley and his three sisters on Petfinder. After learning more about how he was rescued and speaking with Lisa who runs True & Faithful, we decided to face time to see the pups in Florida. We loved Barks and did all the paperwork before he arrived in NY. When he got off the truck he was all gangly legs and so skinny. We immediately fell in love with our boy.
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
When mom and dad go to work, Barkley goes out with Hoboken Dogs 2x per day. He loves hanging at the rock park with all of his pup friends, especially his BFF Huxley the Bernese Mountain Dog, and Gianna his favorite human and second mama. He has a better social life than us! On the weekends, we go to the park, take car trips, and spend lots of time playing ball.
What are your pet’s likes?
Playing ball {ball is life!}, Ellie his toy elephant, bananas, and chicken!
What are your pet’s dislikes?
The vacuum.
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
Wagatha’s biscuits.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Be prepared to change your lifestyle to have a pup, and be patient. Rescuing is amazing, but it takes work to be a good dog parent. And enjoy every second!
Peyton Dumbledore {Peedee}, According to His Owner Crystal
^ Peedee before
^ Peedee after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
We rescued Peedee during an adoption event by KoreanK9 Rescue in Brooklyn, NY in May 2018.
How did you know he was the one?
We knew Peedee was the one pretty soon after we walked in. We were both a little overwhelmed at thinking we might come home with our first dog together, seeing all their sweet faces, hearing their barks and yips, but when we saw Peedee looking just as overwhelmed, we knew we wanted to take him out of his pen and give him snuggles. He was terrified but that made us want to adopt him even more and take him to our loving, quiet, and safe home in Hoboken.
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
The first thing Peedee does is wake us up by jumping all over the bed. Then he rolls over and waits for belly rubs and to be snuggled. He gets his morning walk where he sees some of his neighborhood friends and then eats his breakfast. Peedee gets to hang out with his friends/walkers from FurryTalesNJ twice a day while we’re at work. In between, he snoozes and sunbathes on the couch. After we come home, we go to the park or take a nice long walk around the neighborhood again. The evening is spent chewing bully sticks, playing tug of war, or tossing around his favorite stuffed dumplings and dinner. A final nightly walk and then it’s back on our bed for a good night’s rest! On the weekends, we take Peedee out for hikes, to visit family/friends, the beach if it’s warm, or brunch at Hoboken’s finest dog-friendly restaurants and bars!
What are your pet’s likes?
He loves sleeping in our bed and waking us up with cold nose kisses. He loves to do “zoomies” in the hallway of our apartment. Peedee loves meeting new dogs and people, especially when he can run around freely at the dog park or in our friend’s fenced-in yards. He loves to be chased {he’s extremely fast} to the dismay of some of the other dogs in the park {we call him Speedy Peedee}. He loves brunch and people/dog watching at 10th and Willow, catching a game at The Ale House, or watching people play pool at DC’s Tavern.
What are your pet’s dislikes?
Rain — walks tend to be a bit shorter in the rain but who can blame him.
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
Bully sticks and Barkshop’s Andi’s Famous Dumplings. We’re practicing catching them in the air!
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Be patient — don’t expect too much from them immediately. It may take time to earn their trust depending on their background and the journey they’ve taken to find you. Be ready for baby talk — it just happens. If you work in an office, be ready to not want to go to work and get some good excuses to stay home. The same may go for some social outings as well. Be ready to go outside six, seven, eight, nine times a day — get some comfy shoes and a warm coat for the winter. Be ready to be amazed by each new milestone no matter how big or small as they grow and learn to love and trust you!
Luna, According to Her Owner Valerie
^ Luna before
^ Luna after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
I adopted Luna {had a different name} from Muddy Paws Rescue on St. Patrick’s Day 2018. They are a foster-only based organization and host events almost every weekend {usually in Union Square}, I highly recommend them.
How did you know she was the one?
I was not expecting to go home with a dog that day, although I had been looking for awhile. I saw her and saw how mild-mannered and cuddly she was and not the “typical” chihuahua. After walking her for a bit and people stopping me to tell me how cute she was, I realized I couldn’t leave without her!
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
Luna usually sleeps all day. She loves the couch and looking out the window and her bed to sleep in. If I’m not working from home, then she is going on walks with the dog walker.
What are your pet’s likes?
She loves any treats, apples, chasing squirrels, cuddles, squeaky toys, and getting attention anywhere she goes {especially from kids}.
What are your pet’s dislikes?
The Light Rail, motorcycles, the Fresh Direct truck, and garbage trucks.
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
Wellness Petite Treats {lamb flavor}.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
They are definitely the most grateful and rewarding. I think going through a foster place is better as they can recommend the temperaments of dogs and whether or not they are good with kids, other pets, etc. It’s definitely life-changing and a responsibility, but well worth having unconditional Love. My dog was a stray and it makes me feel like I saved a life, giving her a home.
Hank, According to His Owner Dan
^ Hank before
^ Hank after
Maddie and Zuzu, According to Their Owner Alex
^ Maddie + Zuzu before
^ Maddie + Zuzu after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
I rescued my dogs from Rescue Haven Foundation.
How did you know they were the ones?
I contacted Rescue Haven when I saw this tiny dog with big brown eyes {Maddie} available for adoption on their website. When Rescue Haven scheduled an at-home visit, I fell in love with Maddie as soon as the foster family took her out of the car. And then all of a sudden they took out her sister {Zuzu} and I knew I had to have both of them. I had no intention of adopting two dogs at the same time but it was the best decision of my life!
Tell us about a typical day for your pets.
Maddie and Zuzu absolutely love sleeping in the sun — they’re living their best life when they’ve climbed onto a pile of pillows and blankets for a nap. We always say they act more like cats than dogs because they have no interest in playing any games like fetch but they absolutely love taking naps and knocking things over. On days we’re away from home for longer periods of time, we use Hoboken Happy Paws to walk them around the neighborhood. I met Jaymie from Hoboken Happy Paws when I first moved to Hoboken several years ago and she has been a lifesaver.
What are your pets’ likes?
Maddie and Zuzu love attention and will sit on your lap all day {unless you stop petting them and then they’ll search for a new lap}.
What are your pets’ dislikes?
They hate the rain. I’ve bought them rain jackets and rain boots in an effort to get them to go outside in the rain but they refuse and despite being seven pounds, are impossible to move if they don’t want to.
What are your pets’ favorite treats?
Maddie and Zuzu go crazy for a Whole Foods rotisserie chicken. They can tell when I’ve brought one home and they literally spin around in circles and jump against the cabinets when I take it out of the bag. The only “human food” I ever give them is shredded up rotisserie chicken because it’s impossible to say no to that enthusiasm.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
I would highly encourage anyone looking to rescue a pet to verify that the rescue group is a 501{c}{3} and to verify that the rescue program is legitimate. It breaks my heart to know that some for-profit groups pose as “rescue groups” when they’re actually obtaining their dogs from puppy mills or unsafe breeders. I frequently hear people say that they’ve “adopted” or “rescued” their dog from a rescue group only to find out that it’s just a sneaky front for a puppy mill. I adopted my dogs at age five and saw the pictures of their life prior to being rescued by Rescue Haven and it’s haunting. They still have fears of certain things that I believe are related to their life growing up in a puppy mill {they hate feet, closing doors, and being picked up by strangers}. So if there’s one message I can share, it is to strongly consider adopting and supporting reputable rescue groups.
Read More: Top 5 Tips for New Dog Owners
Gracie, According to Her Owner Sarah
^ Gracie before
^ Gracie after
Where did you rescue your pet from?
From In Our Hands Rescue. She was rescued from a shelter in North Carolina, where she had been brought in as a stray.
How did you know she was the one?
I had been fostering dogs for months from so many different rescues — everything ranging from a nine-year-old Chihuahua to a 70lb Doberman to an American Eskimo mix with some weird hair loss issues to a couple of really cute puppies. I loved them all but didn’t keep any of them. I saw a picture of Gracie on Facebook, and for some reason felt compelled to meet her. I was not looking for a dog at the time {I lived in Manhattan with a roommate and it was January! So cold — the worst time to get a dog}, but I reached out to the rescue and they put me in touch with her foster. I went to go see her that evening and when I sat on the floor, she got right into my lap {she was already 45lbs}. I fell in love immediately. It was a Thursday night — I went home, sent in the adoption fee, and brought her home the next day. Much like falling in love, sometimes when you know, you know.
Tell us about a typical day for your pet.
In her words…
“6:30 AM: I wake up from my slumber sprawled between my mom and dad. I paw at them until someone gets up and gives me my brekkie {fresh duck from Raw Dynamic and a fruit and veggie blend from Honest Kitchen}, and then lets me into my backyard. Yep, that’s right! Since mama moved me to Hoboken I have my very own backyard.
7:00AM: When I come back inside, I get right back in bed with my pawrents and we snuggle for a little while before they get up for work. I’m very sleepy in the morning and like to stay in bed.
8:00AM: When mom and dad leave for work, I get a special peanut butter kong and then I snuggle back in my bed for a while and keep an eye on the home. You know..security.
12:00PM: My friends from Hoboken Dogs come and pick me up for my afternoon playgroup. I get to hang out with my BFFs — looking at you Boomer and Oakley! We wrestle, I check out all the new puppies, and sit in Ms. Gianna’s lap.
1:00PM: When I get home from playgroup, I get another special kong and nap for a few hours and chew on my special branch toy and my antlers.
6:00PM: Mom gets home which is when I bounce all over and then get my dinner! Another round of duck {or sometimes beef} and some veggies. During the fall, mom also likes to throw in some pumpkin. She says it’s good for my tummy. It’s also tasty.
6:30PM: Dad gets home and races me around the apartment and plays hide and seek with me. Dad didn’t like dogs when he first met mom, but he’s a changed man and we forgive him for his ignorance.
7:00PM: Once he’s tired, I go visit my yard again and patrol for squirrels. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
8:00PM: Then my mom tells me to come inside and we do some training — I like to do fun tricks, like spinning in circles, balancing treats on my nose, and going between mama’s legs! I do not like tricks that involve waiting or being away from my mama.
9:00PM: Finally, we all cuddle on the couch where I act as a weighted blanket and my parents have the privilege of scratching my tummy. I am 49lbs of love. We stay here until bedtime, and then I get in our bed and spoon mom while dad gets pushed to the edge of the bed.”
What are your pet’s likes?
Special loves and pets from people {including kids}, snow, snacks — really anything will do, and snuggling on our bed. She believes she is 10lbs and I do not have the heart to tell her otherwise.
What are your pet’s dislikes?
Heat and balloons. Summer is a tough couple of months, and the first time someone brought me a balloon after I got her she barked for 45 minutes until I deflated it and got rid of it! We have no idea why.
What is your pet’s favorite treat?
She typically gets Zuke’s Training Treats but loves pretty much anything. Extra points for things the parents are eating, like a little leftover steak. She’s allergic to chicken, so none of that.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a rescue pet?
Try out fostering! It gives you a great sense of what having a dog will be like and most rescues allow fosters to adopt if they fall in love. You can also feel free to reach out to me via Gracie’s Instagram —@the.golden.life.of.gracie. I am a huge advocate for rescuing dogs and my family has been rescuing for a number of years. I try to stay involved in the NY/ NJ/CT rescue community, and I am always happy to try to help people find the right match. I know it can be daunting, especially if you have a certain picture in your mind of what you want…but it’s so worth it.
Do you have a rescue pet you want to tell us about? Share their photo and story to hello@hobokengirl.com.
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