The township’s Tiny Paws Rescue connects dogs with families in Central and Southern New Jersey, but with stipulations.
The nonprofit accepts small dogs 35 pounds and under, although larger pets are sometimes included. The rescue works with a Philadelphia-based dog shelter that gives away foster dogs found on the streets and takes care of their medical needs. During COVID, the shelter took phone calls from people who wanted to surrender their dogs, but it wasn’t able to take as many as a larger facility could.
Dogs are ready for adoption after time in foster care, but there are requirements in bringing them to a loving home.
“The dogs should be neutered and spayed, and potential owners must receive background and home checks,” said Tiny Paws’ Event Coordinator, Kathy Nourse.
Even after they are adopted, the rescue’s volunteers follow dogs to make sure they’re happy in their new homes.
“This is a nonprofit organization, so the people who work here aren’t paid, from the director to the volunteers,” Nourse explained.
Tiny Paws Rescue opened in 2017, and there are now 50 active fosters and more than 100 volunteers.
“We do a lot of fundraising and rely on donations to raise money for medical bills,” Nourse noted. “We don’t ask the fosters to pay: The rescue center covers everything.”
Many of the dogs that eventually come to the rescue aren’t neutered or spayed, and others are treated for medical injuries before they get to Tiny Paws.
“This is not an easy job or for the faint of heart,” Nourse said.
As event coordinator, she’s in charge of the rescue’s busy season, which involves setting up tents for fall festivals where dogs meet the public. Nourse’s job also includes coordinating with volunteers to get the dogs to such events. Tiny Paws also hosts an annual fundraiser where people can win raffle baskets.
“We have monthly meet and greets at pet stores where people talk with volunteers and interact with the dogs to get them adopted,” Nourse pointed out. “We find new fosters, volunteers and families.
“We are constantly taking in dogs behind the scenes,” she added. “We work tirelessly to make sure we make good matches for the dog and community.”
Nourse said the team at Tiny Paws Rescue is a tight-knit group of people who love what they do.
“We are a great bunch of people, we like each other and have a great time together.”
For more information on Tiny Paws Rescue, please visit their website https://www.tprescue.org/# and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tinypawsrescuenj
