Is there a place in your home for a furry companion? Then visit the North Bergen PetSmart, at 2100 88th St. on Tonnelle Avenue in the Vornado Shopping Center on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. to meet your potential future pet under the auspices of Animal Life Savers, Inc. (ALS). ALS is a non-profit organization that rescues homeless animals throughout North Jersey.
According to their website, ALS was founded with the idea of helping animals in need. The animals are generally from overcrowded shelters or taken from families who can no longer keep their beloved pets.
ALS President Elaine Samman said the objective of the organization is to “fit the right adoptive pet with the right family.”
“We encourage you to stop by and see the animals at Animal Life Savers, as you may find the companion of a lifetime,” says the website. “We have helped plenty of happy owners find their ideal pet, so we know we can help you.”
Adoption requirements
There are no same day adoptions. The process includes a home visit. Adopters must be 21 years of age or older. If the adopter is a renter they must provide proof that their home allows the pet they wish to adopt. If the application has a different address from their state identification, then the current address must be verified.
“We encourage you to stop by and see the animals at Animal Life Savers, as you may find the companion of a lifetime.” – Animal Life Savers, Inc. website
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The website cautions potential adopters to think carefully about how much time, energy and financial commitment it takes to have a pet.
“It is very important to consider the time you have available on a daily basis to spend with your new companion before adopting,” says the website.
Help needed
ALS relies heavily on public donations that cover the cost of food, supplies, and medical bills of the adoptive pets. Donations are tax deductible, since the organization is a non-for-profit.
The team is made up entirely of volunteers, who are always needed, and children are some of the most desirable. The organization is dedicated to educating children about the humane treatment of animals. Samman said the importance is to “teach children compassion for animals.”
Foster homes are also needed by the organization, which currently only has seven.
“All fosters act as the bridge between what was and what can be,” says the website. “Foster families are the gate that leads to the door of a forever home.”
Volunteer and foster home applications are available on their website.
ALS allows fellow animal lovers to help by becoming a member by visiting their website, www.animallifesavers.org. The $10 general membership fee per year covers the medical expenses for the cats and dogs.
Members receive two ALS newsletters via mail which have information about the organization’s services and pets. ALS also has a sponsorship program which is $20 per year, and sponsors will review two photos and updates of one sponsored pet of the subscriber’s choice. For each additional sponsor the fee is $10.
ALS can be reached at P.O. Box 12, Palisades Park, N.J. 07650, by phone at (201) 335-7387, or via email at Elaine@animallifesavers.org. For a list of the adoptive pets, visit www.animalfinders.org, click on “Adopting From Animal Life Savers,” and you will directed to a page where you choose to view cats or dogs available for adoption and review a brief tutorial on the process.
Vanessa Cruz can be reached at vcruz@hudsonreporter.com