Rescued Dog On Road To Recovery, Shelter Seeks Help In Morris Co.

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — NorthStar Pet Rescue is on a mission to raise funds to assist with the cost of surgery and physical therapy, which would give a lovable, playful pup a second chance.

Rori, a 8-month-old Belgian Malinois, has undergone surgery and subsequent physical therapy as a result of a recent diagnosis of significant atrophy on her right limb.

“After 3 different consultations with specialists, we decided to have the surgery at Crown Veterinary. She had hip surgery (TPO – Triple pelvic osteotomy) and also knee surgery (MPL – Medial patella luxation). This was a very intense and invasive surgery but we knew it was for the best for Rori's future,” Tammy Probst, the founder and president of NorthStar, said.

Rori was found wandering the streets of Newark a little over a month ago. She was brought into the Newark Animal Shelter, where she was seen by one of the volunteers, who noticed that she had a serious leg issue and knew that she needed help.

When the staff at the Newark Animal Shelter realized that the puppy required more assistance than they could provide, they contacted NorthStar Pet Rescue, which responded immediately.

Rori was taken to the veterinarian, where x-rays revealed that she needed surgery to repair her hip and knee. According to volunteer staff, she was in chronic pain after her diagnosis and needed multiple medications to stay comfortable.

“Being in pain did not stop this sweet girl from acting like a happy puppy. She would hop around on 3 legs and loved getting attention,” Probst said.

Recently, Rori underwent her required surgery, leaving NorthStar with a sizable medical bill of an estimated $8,000.

“We are a volunteer non-profit, so we are trying to fundraise for her through any means possible as she is a wonderful young pup who deserves a second chance,” said Angeline Lopez, a volunteer at NorthStar.

NorthStar Pet Rescue, located at 187 Plane Street in Boonton, was founded in 2017 and is run by a group of passionate volunteers dedicated to saving these innocent dogs and finding them a new forever home.

“We are a foster-based rescue that pulls dogs out of shelters in New Jersey and Texas, and we place them in foster homes while they wait to be adopted. We tend to favor the seniors and dogs with medical issues, but lately not only have adoptions been nonexistent, but donations have also been down," Probst said.

The Boonton shelter rescues about 300 to 400 dogs per year, mostly from Texas, but it also takes in many dogs from the surrounding area.

Donations for Rori, as well as all of the animals at NorthStar Pet Rescue, may be made online at www.northstarpets.org.