Eleventh Hour Rescue plans May 24 golf outing to benefit homeless animals

Eleventh Hour Rescue invites you to get into the swing of things this spring at its fourth annual benefit golf outing. On Tuesday, May 24, this fundraising event takes place at the Wild Turkey Golf Course, Hamburg, at the Crystal Springs Resort.

Slated to be one of Eleventh Hour Rescue’s biggest events for 2011, the golf outing will be a day of golf, with lunch, a cocktail reception, dinner and prizes, all to benefit homeless dogs that have been rescued nationwide by Eleventh Hour Rescue.  In addition, an "Afternoon at the Reflections Spa" is offered as an alternative to golf.

There will be various hole-in-one contests, raffles, prizes for the top three foursomes and more. The day will begin with registration at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon, and a 1 p.m. “shotgun” Tee Off.  Cost for participation is $225 for golfers; $225 for the Afternoon at the Spa. Others wishing to enjoy dinner and cocktails, the cost is $75 per person.

To read more about this worthwhle event, visit www.ehrdogs.org

About Eleventh Hour Rescue:

Eleventh Hour Rescue has saved over 4,000 animals to date. There is a strict no-kill policy.

 Eleventh Hour Rescue (EHR) was officially formed in July 2004.  EHR is strongly opposed to shelters inhumanely euthanizing animals simply because of overcrowding.  EHR rescues animals primarily from shelters where this practice is widely used as a temporary solution to severe overpopulation problem. These are wonderful, highly adoptable animals that society has tossed aside. 

Started by three volunteers – EHR is now 100-plus volunteers strong.  Everyone in the group is dedicated to the mission because of their compassion and love of animals. 

In October 2005, four volunteers offered and were deployed by the Humane Society of The United States to conduct search and rescue of misplaced animals due to Hurricane Katrina.  They spent 10 days in the ravaged city and suburbs looking for and saving animals on the streets. This was the humble beginnings of EHR, which today is a group of passionate, dedicated people who care for and foster these animals while they wait for their forever home.

EHR’s mission relies solely on the generosity of the public. EHR receives no free veterinary services.  The group does work with a few veterinary hospitals that offer a discount, but costs are exceptional considering the number of dogs that are cared for.  EHR does not discriminate against any animal and will not turn away an animal that needs costly medical procedures.

'Furry Friday': Find a special friend at Randolph Animal Pound adoption event

The end of the week means it's Furry Friday on this blog. The weekend is a good time to consider looking for your new furry best friend at one of the local shelters. Here are some of the pets available for adoption and adoption events taking place.

One is a special cat/kitten adoption event on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Randolph Animal Pound, 1345 Sussex Turnpike, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the new trailer. Dogs and other small animals also will be available for adoption during the event. Special adoption prices will apply. Cost is $50. For kittens too young to be spayed or neutered, a spay/neuter deposit will be required. For more information, call 973-886-1485.

Bert and Ernie are 9-month-old brothers that love other cats and dogs, too). They are just two of the kittens that will be at the Randolph Animal Pound's pet adoption on  Saturday, Feb. 26.

Emmy and her brothers just arrived to NJ and they are looking for their furever homes. Emmy is a playful, friendly girl. She is approximately  11 to 12 weeks old and is a shepherd/labrador mix. She has a beautiful coat that is tan and white and she has black ears and a black mask. Emmy is ready to start her new life, is it with you? If interested in adopting this pet, e-mail FureverHomeRescue@att.net and request an adoption application.

Meet Betsy/Abby from Eleventh Hour Rescue.  She is a 3-year-old coonhound who is house trained and crate trained.  She loves the outdoors, car rides, and meeting new people.  After a tiring romp outdoors, she prefers to curl up on the bed or couch and enjoy a good belly rub.  She was recently given up by her family as their life situation changed and Abbie (originally called Betsy) was not part of their new plans.  She’s a good girl who deserves a chance for a new start in life.  Currently in a foster home, she’s ready to come to your home now.  To read more about her, to see all of our adoptable dogs, to see our upcoming events, or to make a donation, visit  www.ehrdogs.org.

Here’s the Duke from Eleventh Hour Rescue.  This big guy is almost 5 years old and up to now, has spent his entire life in a home environment.  His original family can no longer care for him and he is now in a foster home awaiting adoption to a new loving home.  He is a lab/Rottweiler mix and he is very gentle and loving.  Although he’s an enthusiastic greeter to new visitors, he quickly settles down.  He plays well with children and is very tolerating of whatever comes his way.  Duke loves to play with other dogs, tennis balls, and doesn’t mind the company of a cat.  He walks well on a leash, enjoys a nice car ride, he is house trained and crate trained too.  To read more about Duke, or to see all of our adoptable dogs, to see our upcoming event, or to make a donation, visit www.ehrdogs.org.

Have a picture perfect pet? Enter Morris Animal Inn's 'Pet of the Month' contest

If your dog or cat ought to be in pictures, consider entering the Morris Animal Inn's "Pet of the Month" contest. You can enter via Facebook or e-mail to news@morrisanimalinn.com. Include your pet's name, breed, age and favorite activities or personality traits. Don't forget to include a photo.


The selected pet will appear in the March edition of Morris Animal Inn's newsletter. Morris Animal Inn is located at 120 Sand Spring Road, Morristown. This Morris County pet resort offers customized day care and overnight packages, comfortable and secure pet suites for both canines and felines, and countless amenities and fun activities for even the most discriminating pet guest.

Family tragedy leaves three dogs alone, in need of loving home

These three Jack Russell Terriers are in desperate need of a forever home.

Camille Oakie Montagna with Furever Home Dog Rescue in Randolph sent me this plea she received from a friend who is looking to find these three Jack Russell Terriers a home.

These healthy, happy dogs were left alone after a family tragedy in which the husband killed his spouse and then took his own life.The children are in the custody of grandparents, but the family's dogs remain homeless at this time. These adorable dogs need homes by the end of the month or they will be placed in a high-kill shelter.

Missy is the mother dog. She is approximately 13 to 14 years old. Her two pups are Casper, approximately 11 years of age, and Shorty, who is approximately 12 years old. Because these dogs have always lived together, it would be best if they can remain together.

Anyone interested in giving these sweet dogs another home, is asked to contact Amy at aloggs69@yahoo.com as soon as possible.

'Furry Friday' means it's time to adopt a four-legged best friend

Today is something I'd like to call "Furry Friday." I think the beginning of the weekend is a good time to post some pets for adoption in the Morris County area. What better way to spend some family time than by looking for a new member to add to the clan? Here are a few homeless pets that are looking for forever homes:

Tracey is a 6-year-old, purebred Jack Russell Terrier. All shots and fixed. Adoption fee is  $100.

I used to live in a nice warm house, spend time on my owners lap, but then something changed. Then I had a thick chain around my neck, sleeping on a very cold cement floor in the garage. It got so cold out there. I was fed daily, but that's about it. Then someone heard me crying and came to see me. I clung to their arm, begging them to take me, which they did.  

Now I am in a nice warm home, with a soft, thick blanket. Even though I'm missing part of my ear to frost bite, I don't mind. Things have changed for me now. I know what love is again and how I missed that. This is my foster home for now, and I am looking for a forever home. Do you have a warm lap for me? If you do, e-mail lilfurryanimals@yahoo.com.

Lucky is a 4-year-old chihuahua. All shots and fixed. Adoption fee is  $150.

Lucky's foster mom has this to say about him: "This dog loves cats! Two of mine that do not like dogs LOVE Lucky. They sit by him and watch him. Its' so cute. I think Lucky will do good in most any home. He loves kids, other animals and people in general. I haven't seen a well-rounded chihuahua like him in a long time. He likes to sit downstairs when we are watching TV and just watch the ducks in their winter home. This is a great opportunity for someone that wants a small dog without the "Napolian complex". This is rare dog!!

E-mail lilfurryanimals@yahoo.com for an application.

For more information about either Tracey or Lucky, contact Cassie at One Step Closer Animal Rescue (OSCAR) at 973-652-3969.

Jean is a beautiful Labrador Retriever mix pup. She's about 13 to 14 weeks old and is cute as a button. Jean is friendly and full of energy. She enjoys playing with children and other dogs. Jean loves tummy rubs and likes to snuggle. Jean and her siblings were rescued from a North Carolina shelter and now is in a foster home. Jean's easy personality will fit any lifestyle. Anyone interested in giving her a forever home, should e-mail FureverHomeRescue@att.net and request an adoption application.

My name is Taco. I'm a lovable, friendly pointer/hound mix puppy. I'm approximately 10 to 11 months old. I am an easy-going girl who loves everyone. I enjoy playing with children and other dogs. I'm an active pup and I would love a forever home with a yard so I can run around and play. I'd like a family who would take me on walks. I'm a quick learner and I like to please. I was found roaming the streets of a rural North Carolina town and was taken to an animal shelter. If Furever Home Dog Rescue in Randolph didn't come to get me, I would have been euthanized. I'm now staying with a nice foster family. I am up to date on vaccinations, I'm spayed and I'm 95 percent housebroken. If you'd like to give me a forever home, e-mail FureverHomeRescue@att.net and request an application.

For more information about Furever Home Dog Rescue, visit http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ630.html.

All homeless animals -- mixed or purebred -- deserve loving homes

A Scottish Deerhound like the one above won Best in Show at this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

I admit that the televised Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with its array of purebred canines commands my attention every year. I love watching the various breeds and learning about their temperaments during this historic competitive event.


This year, six new breeds became eligible to compete after being recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Boykin Spaniel, Bluetick Coonhound, Redbone Coonhound, Cane Corso, Leonberger and Icelandic Sheepdog all vied for the  2011winner's cup.  This year's winner was Hickory, a Scottish Deerhound.

Last year, spectators and competitors were surprised during an unexpected protest. Two members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) walked into the center ring at Madison Square Garden and held up signs that said "Mutts Rule" and "Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs' Chances," the latter a slogan popularized by PETA.

As a devout pet owner who had adopted every dog I've ever owned, I can relate on one level with this line of thinking. After all, with millions of homeless dogs in shelters, why not give these unfortunate animals a loving home before paying a breeder for a pet and increasing the "surplus population," so to speak. But on the other hand, as a dog lover, I can't deny the beauty of a purebred canine, either. And unfortunately, like their mixed breed counterparts, many pedigrees end up in need of rescue, too.

Sure the responsible thing is for pet owners to spay/neuter their animals and for breeders to limit the abundance of purebred breeds they offer for sale.

However until that happens, purebred pets also are in need and as deserving of rescue. To that end, the American Kennel Club, offers information and referrals to purebred rescue groups throughout the United States. Visit http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm for more information.

Show your love of animals by taking part in Spay Day 2011

Spay Day 2011, an international campaign of the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, promotes the life-saving benefits of spay/neuter. In conjunction with the campaign, People for Animals will offer up to 100 half-price spay/neuter surgeries for pit bulls and $25 microchips to all pet owners during the month of February. Donations also are being accepted to increase the number. For every $50 received, People for Animals will offer another half-price spay or neuter.

This year marks the 17th annual Spay Day. It began in 1995 and it is estimated that those taking part have altered more than 1,518,000 animals. This means that spay/neuter programs have reduced the number of homeless cats and dogs euthanized in the United States from approximately 13.5 million in 1973 to fewer than four million at this time.

For more information, visit www.pfaonline.org or www.humanesociety.or/spayday.


Local spay/neuter programs 

Several animal organizations in the Morris County (NJ) area are offering spay and neuter programs to residents. For affordable spay/neuter programs available in the Morris County area, visit Spay NJ at http://www.spaynj.org/clinic/morris-county-nj/ for a list of participating vets and organizations. 

Here are some events that are scheduled:

Smitten by Kittens is sponsoring free spay or neuter services. Morristown residents must show proof of residency (such as a utility bill or a driver's license) to qualify. Appointments for surgery will be scheduled at a Morristown veterinary facility, where pets can be dropped off the day before and picked up the following the procedure. To make an appointment, e-mail adopt@smittenbykittens.com.

Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, 194 Route 10 West, East Hanover, is presenting an "Ask the Vet" seminar with veterinarian Andrea Antonelli at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22. The program is being held in observance of Spay Day 2011 and will offer advice and information on pet care and the problems and issues related to pet ownership. For more information, call 973-386-0590.


Mount Olive Trap-Neuter-Release Project will offer township residents owning cats transportation to low-cost spay/neuter clinics for their pets. Cats can be taken to a clinic where surgery and vaccinations will be performed for $70. The group also can assist low-income pet owners with the fee. For more information, call 973-584-5890 or visit www.mtolivetnr.org.

Furever Home Dog Rescue in Randolph finds loving homes for forgotten pups

Jacob is a 13- to 14--week-old Labrador Retriever mix pup. He is very sweet, playful and friendly. This adorable pup has the cutest ears and a unique black coat with brown running though it. To adopt Jacob, e-mail Furever Home Dog Rescue at FureverHomeRescue@att.net.

One of the benefits of writing a pet-related blog is the chance to associate with people who devote their lives to rescuing animals and finding them suitable homes. Although there are many of these selfless individuals in the Morris County, N.J., area, today I'd like to introduce Camille Montagna Oakie, founder of  Furever Home Dog Rescue in Randolph.


Oakie's rescue operation Furever Home Dog Rescue is dedicated to saving adoptable dogs from being euthanized due to lack of space in the shelter system. All foster dogs are fully vetted and carefully evaluated prior to coming into rescue. Most of the available dogs and puppies come from The Lenoir County SPCA in Kinston, N.C. Oakie's group has worked with the employees and volunteers there for years. The staff works diligently to save animals that arrive at the shelter on a daily basis.

Once the dogs arrive in New Jersey, they live in foster homes along with children and other pets. This allows Oakie and volunteers to get a sense of the animals' personalities and needs, so they eventually can be placed in forever homes.

Prior to adoption, all pups over the age of six months are spayed/neutered. They receive rabies shots and all other age-appropriate shots and vetting. All are tested for heart worm, receive flea and tick prevention and dewormed.

All puppies under six months are kept in quarantine for two weeks at a vet's office to determine if they have any medical issues before they arrive in New Jersey.  They also receive their age appropriate shots, flea and tick preventative and are dewormed.  Puppies under six months are adopted out with a spay/neuter contract. It is the responsibility of the adopter to have the procedure done at six months and provide documentation to Oakie that time.

Furever Home Dog Rescue is in need of foster homes for its adoptable dogs. Because the group does not maintain a shelter, it depends on foster families to house and socialize the animals until adoption. Anyone willing to open their homes to foster a dog on a temporary basis should e-mail Oakie at FureverHomeRescue@att.net. The more foster families found, the more dogs that can be saved.


Anyone interested in adopting, should e-mail FureverHomeRescue@att.net and ask for an adoption application. Upon completion and review, you'll be contacted and a home visit will be arranged. Appointments for meet-and-greets with the dog will only be set after an adoption application has been completed and reviewed.

Find some puppy love on Valentine's Day

Carla is a 1 1/2-year-old miniature pinscher now in foster care. She loves cats and dogs. She was the pet of an elderly person who could no longer keep her. Carla should be with an active person/family. Her foster mom says: "Carla is a high-energy dog. She is fine in a covered crate. Her previous owner did not work on house training, so her new owner would have to work on that. Carla is a great dog with a wonderful personality and would make a n ideal canine companion for the right owner. If you're looking for two pets, Carla has a friend in foster care -- Pickles, the cat, shown in the background." For more information, call 973-886-1485 or e-mail Doggie54@optonline.net.

It's Valentine's Day. A day for surrounding yourself with those you love. You can never have too much love in your life, so in addition to those two-legged Valentines you plan to celebrate with on this day, consider letting those four-legged members of the family join in the festivities, too.


Don't have a four-legged friend? No worries. There are plenty of potential canine and feline Valentines out there waiting to find a forever home. And what could be more special on Valentine's Day than giving -- and getting -- the gift of more love and affection?



According to the Humane Society of the United States, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters every year; far too many to all find homes. Despite these daunting statistics, anyone who desires a pet can do their part by adopting a pet from a local shelter.


A good way to start is by locating a shelter.  Begin with a visit to Animal Shelter.org. This easy-to-use website offers information, tips and locations of shelters throughout the United States. Just plug in your locality and the type of pet you're looking for and the search engine will do the rest.

Looking for local adoption events?

The Friends of the Randolph Animal Pound have stepped up their adoptions this week, too. Today through Feb. 19, Valentine's Day pet adoptions will be held weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Randolph Animal Pound, 1345 Sussex Turnpike. Adopt an adult cat, get another at no charge. Adoption fee is $50. For more information, call 973-989-7090 or visit www.pound.petfinder.org.


On Saturday, Feb. 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a special off-site cat/kitten adoption will take place at Petco, 275 Route 10 East, Succasunna. For more information, call 973-886-1485 or e-mail Doggie54@optonline.net.

Help homeless pets by contributing to PetsFurRescue

Welcome to PetsFurRescue, a new blog about pets in Morris County and surrounding areas. The main focus will be on pets available for adoption at local shelters, but also will include pet-related news and events. In addition, I'd like to begin posting photos and information of pets available for adoption.

While the aim of this blog will be to help find forever homes for shelter animals, I'd also welcome stories (and photos) about the pet/pets you've adopted. I believe those heartwarming stories will inspire others to consider adopting a shelter animal.

As I mention in the description on the home page of this blog, until recently I was author of a blog titled "Paw Prints" that appeared in a local daily newspaper. That blog and accompanying photo gallery and pages met with much success and I'd like to continue the effort here.

Help PetsFurRescue help homeless pets find loving families. Have an idea? Want to post pets available for adoption? Have news about local shelters, rescue groups and people making a difference in the lives of homeless animals? Send them to me at: petsfurrescue@yahoo.com.