Formerly Depressed Dog From Newark Still Needs Home: Adopt ‘Red’

NEWARK, NJ — The good news? “Red” the dog isn’t going back to an animal shelter.

The bad news? This hard-luck doggo from Essex County is still in search of a forever home after a potential adoption fell through, rescuers say.

Nearly half a year ago, Red captured hearts across North Jersey when rescuers put out an adoption call, saying that the “once rambunctious and lively spirited dog” had become melancholy and depressed after 730 days behind bars at the Associated Humane Societies in Newark.

It was a plight that hit home with many Patch readers, who shared the call to rescue Red far and wide on social media. Read More: NJ Dog Is Struggling With Depression After 2 Years In Shelter

Last winter, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue Inc. – a nonprofit rescue that is helping to find Red a permanent place to crash – announced that there was a plan to temporarily house him at the home of the group’s president. From there, trainers planned to work with Red for six weeks until he was ready for a foster home – or a forever family.

And yes, getting out of the shelter managed to put a smile back on the depressed canine’s face. “It’s like life came back into his eyes,” his temporary guardian told Patch.

• See Related: The Face Of Happiness: Newark Dog Finally Leaves Shelter After 2 Years

It was a high point for rescuers and dog alike. As Red’s internet fame spread and he began to appear on the local news, waves of applicants began reaching out to Heart & Soul about fostering or adopting him.

According to the nonprofit, Red is crate-trained, housebroken, good with kids 12 and up, and “non-destructive” when left out: all good signs that he is fit for the next stage of the adoption process.

In fact, an adoption was lined up for Red at one point. But that ended up falling through, the group said – and the search for a permanent home continues.

“Red was returned within 24 hours because the adopter stated that his current dog got a UTI and when he took her to the vet, the vet said that he should return Red because it’s going to stress out his current dog,” the nonprofit’s president told Patch on Tuesday.

“I personally think that maybe he just got in over his head and just couldn’t handle it,” she said.

Since moving in, Red has given her “zero-behavior issues” and has been a complete pleasure to have around – something the nonprofit’s trainer agrees with.

“I have found nothing wrong with him at all,” she said. “We took him to the expo center last weekend with hundreds of people and dogs. He was absolutely perfect.”

She added a side note: although the search continues, Red won’t be headed back behind bars any time soon:

“Any dog that we pull through our rescue – if it ever gets returned – it never goes back to the shelter. They are with our rescue for their life, so even if I never find an adopter for him, he will stay with me until I do … and if I don’t, he will stay with me, regardless.”

Think that you may be a match for Red? Visit the Heart & Soul Dog Rescue website and fill out an application here. The nonprofit will review it and check with your references, then do a phone interview – and potentially a meet and greet with the dude himself.

Red isn't a fit? Not to worry, there are plenty of doggos that deserve some love and attention. See other adoptable animals that the rescue is trying to find homes for here.

Statistics from the New Jersey Department of Health show that there were 18,548 dogs impounded in the state in 2022, up more than 100 from the previous year.

All across New Jersey, shelters are reporting spikes in their intake numbers, leading several to temporarily hit the brakes on accepting new dogs. Read More: Animal Shelters Are Hitting Their Breaking Point Across North Jersey

Searching for a new dog, cat or other forever friend in New Jersey? Check out online locators such as Petfinder.com, or visit your local animal shelter (see a list here).

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