Our pets

When Hurricane Katrina swept through Louisiana, Pet ResQ was there. They rescued dogs and helped people. The rescue team gave people water and pet food and gave the dogs a home. When seniors die in their homes, Pet ResQ notifies law enforcement and rescues dogs left behind.

Pet ResQ founder Robyn Urman believes in quality over quantity. The non-profit rescue is all volunteer and foster family based, located at 24 W. Railroad Avenue in Tenafly. Rescue focuses on rehabilitating neglected, abused or disabled small dogs and puppies. Once rehabilitated, the dogs go to foster homes where they are checked, rehomed and cared for, according to the rescue’s website.

The rescue saves without harm and works with its community to keep the best possible care available. “We used to fill up our trucks and walk all the streets to see what people needed,” Urman said. She remembers giving someone a gallon of water and a bag of Pedigree while helping survivors in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Today, Urman raises funds a little each day to ensure the continuity of his rescue. She rescues senior dogs, disabled dogs and dogs with health issues. “I’m not a puppy person,” she said. The puppies do nothing for Urman. She would rather foster a mother dog instead of their litter; she takes the dog run over by a car, the pets that are unwanted, ignored, left to perish.

“During Covid, actually, I was able to find a lot of like-minded people,” Urman said. She helps out at the DuMont Senior Center in Dumont. Pet ResQ is on a mission to help people in need. Sometimes rescue helps people who are struggling to care for themselves or their children and pets.

In 2020, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine recorded a 25-33% increase in domestic violence worldwide. Pet ResQ has witnessed this increase and has been welcoming pets until mothers with children can find a balance. “For the kids and for the women, they have nowhere to go, so I’ve always been the one to take the dog, the cat, whatever until we can get these ladies back on their feet,” he said. Urman said.

For Urman, it’s not about money, it’s about harm reduction. “That’s what an animal advocate does,” she said.

In 2020, Pet Rescue was awarded “Best of 2020” by the Tenafly Award for Animal Rescue Service program.

The rescue desperately needs a safe vehicle to better help their community. You can donate to Pet ResQ through their website or find them on Facebook.

Meet Bonita:

It’s Bonita. It’s a Japanese Chin/Poodle mix. She is five years old and very nice. She was rescued from a hoarding situation with several others. Bonita would like to have her own house with a fenced yard. She is calm, paper trained, microchipped and up to date with her vaccines. Bonita gets along well with other dogs.

Meet Macho:

Meet Macho. He is one of 15 Japanese Chins that we were able to save from a single home. Over time this handsome boy has blossomed. He is adorable with a quirky personality. He is about eight years old, microchipped, neutered and up to date with his vaccines. He has a minor heart condition that responds perfectly to medication. He is clean, good with other dogs and a cuddle machine.