Temps are cooling down again, and there’s never been a better time to expand the family. This fall, adopt; don’t shop, and give the gift of a forever home to the furry friends at your local shelter. Here are some adoption events in NJ this season.
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Porsches and Pooches | Parsippany, NJ
Paul Miller Porsche and Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter are teaming up for a Porsches and Pooches, a dog adoption event and a day of family fun on Saturday, September 23. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the lot outside of the car dealership is turning into event grounds. Last year, there was a bouncy house, face painting, food, and information stands.
North Brunswick Dog Walk-a-Thon & Adoption Day | North Brunswick, NJ
On Sunday, September 24, the North Brunswick Humane Association will be hosting the 19th Annual Dog Walk-a-Thon & Adoption Day. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Brunswick Community Park, there will be food, music, games, and a dog food drive. Food drive donations will be distributed across Middlesex County to pet owners facing financial struggles. Adoption does not require registration, but dogs must be registered to participate in dog walking, games, and the costume contest. Register here by 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 23 to qualify for pre-registration pricing.
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Puptoberfest | Succasunna, NJ
Eleventh Hour Rescue is hosting a whole slew of adoption events this month! Their largest event is Puptoberfest on Saturday, September 30 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Horseshoe Lake. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children five and under.
On top of dog and cat adoptions, the event also features food trucks, vendors, music, games, a raffle, and a canine costume contest. Eleventh Hour Rescue is also running the Rockaway Mall Mingle Adoption Event on Sunday, September 24. They also do a weekly cat adoption event and a biweekly dog adoption event at Roxbury Mall.
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BARKtoberfest | West Orange, NJ
The Turtle Back Zoo is hosting their 7th Annual BARKtoberfest pet adoption market on Saturday, September 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come for your future canine or feline best friend and stay for the delicious food vendors! This event is free to attend.
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Pittie Palooza Fall Festival | Lakewood, NJ
Got a soft spot for bully breed pups? Join Pitties and Pals for their Pittie Palooza Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pine Belt Chevrolet on Route 88. There will be live music, kid-friendly activities, and vendors. The event is free, but a mobile ticket is required. Reserve your spot at the bottom of this page.
Why You Should Go
Anyone who has ever owned a pet knows just how much they add to our day-to-day lives. And yet, many of them spend years in overcrowded or underfunded animal shelters. During the pandemic, some pet owners did not get their pets spayed and dropped off pregnant cats and dogs at shelters that were already struggling from inadequate funding and resources. At some shelters, animals are euthanized when the shelter cannot afford them or move them, although this is becoming less common.
Last summer, when I was looking into getting involved with Scarlet Paws, an animal welfare group based in New Brunswick, NJ, I learned that Edison and Newark particularly face overcrowding in shelters. Summer and winter are also peak times for pet adoptions, leaving our fall-arrival furry friends hanging for at least a few months at a time, if not more. And don’t be afraid to go out of state either—my little guy is from Staten Island, and it was absolutely worth it. Most importantly, adopt and rescue! You could be saving a life.
About the Author/s
Alex Kenney is a third-year Journalism and Media Studies student at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. Having lived in Bergen, Essex, and briefly Hudson County, she calls anything north of Newark home. She is a big fan of NJ Transit and knows most major highways in her area like the back of her hand, even though she doesn’t drive.
