FAQ

No, we are foster-based only. This means all of our dogs are staying with a foster family while they wait to be adopted. 

Yes, you can apply for a specific dog, but we do our best to match each dog with the applicant best suited for the dog. Every dog has their own personalities, temperaments, requirements and environments that would suit them best! We also look at each applicant and determine which dogs would be best suited for your family. If your application is not selected for the specific dog you applied for and your application would be a good fit for another dog, we will reach out to you!

No, due to limited time and resources, we require that you have an approved application on file before we can schedule a meet with a specific dog.  Approved adopters can schedule meets as soon as they are available for adoption. However, a way to meet some adoptable dogs prior is by keeping an eye out for events on our social media pages that we are attending. We will list which adoptable dogs that will be attending the events with us. (However, please be aware that sometimes the dogs you meet at these events may not be available by the time your application is submitted and approved.) 

We will be focusing on any dog that needs our help. Sometimes we’ll have mixed breeds, other times we may have purebred dogs. We’ll be saving adult dogs, puppies, and even some medical cases! 

Absolutely! We just ask that you are open with us about the existing animals within your home. Also, we ask that you know how your other pets will be when welcoming a new dog into your home and if you have the ability to keep the foster dog separate, if necessary. If your other pets are not friendly to other dogs, then we cannot safely place a dog into your home. We do understand that sometimes it takes some time getting all animals acquainted with a new dog, but we do need to make sure our foster dogs are in a safe environment. 

No! If you are new to caring for dogs that is okay! We have a dedicated team who is available for help and support! We will also be matching a dog with the right temperament for you! 

Yes! Foster families will have the first option to adopt their foster. However, we do have a time period that a foster family must let us know if they plan on adopting their dog. 

Fill out an adoption application here!

After the adoption application is complete, a volunteer will call your references and if applicable, your vet, to check that all your pet(s) are regularly kept up to date on all required vaccines. If the vet check and reference check goes well, a volunteer will reach out to you for an interview. This interview will consist of getting to know you, your family and environment. During this interview we are looking to determine what kind of dog would best be suited to your home!

Fill out a foster application here!

After the foster application is complete, a volunteer will call your references and if applicable, your vet to check that all your pet(s) are regularly kept up to date on all required vaccines. If the vet check and reference check goes well, a volunteer will reach out to you for an interview. This interview will consist of getting to know you, your family and environment. During this interview we are looking to determine what kind of dog would best be suited to your home!

*Foster homes are the link between the dog’s past and their ‘furever’. Foster homes are instrumental in helping with socialization, crate training, leash walking, and just teaching a dog that people are ok! We do ask that foster families be able to commit to the time needed for dogs to decompress and settle into a home, have the ability to bring them to vetting appointments as needed, and adoption/networking events as needed.

We are a small group of likeminded individuals with a passion for saving dogs. JDR was created by combining volunteers’ prior rescue experiences, while focusing on ways to improve, grow, and create a positive impact in our community. Our goal is continue to foster and expand the relationship between shelters, adoptive families, and even share a space for people to keep the community updated on their rescue dog’s progress (because, c’mon, everyone loves sharing pics of their dogs!!)

If you want to know what drives each of us, meet the team behind JDR here!

What really sets JDR apart from the rest? In the near future, we will be starting a “Pay It Forward” program.  This program will be a donation-based community fund to help financially struggling New Jersey families with necessary funds, supplies, or veterinary care in order to keep dogs in their current, forever homes. Our goal is to not only help abandoned or homeless dogs currently residing in shelters, but to even prevent this from happening in the first place.

Interested in joining our team and volunteering for JDR? Visit our “Volunteer” page here!

Jersey Dogs Rescue mission is to provide second chances to dogs, rescue dogs from situations of neglect, abuse, and abandonment, providing them with necessary medical care, socialization, and a safe haven. Jersey Dog Rescue is a committed, compassionate and dedicated community to rescuing, fostering, and placing dogs in loving permanent forever homes, promoting responsible pet ownership, the humane treatment of all animals, and creating lifelong bonds and enriching the lives of both humans and dogs.