So ....

... you've thought about adopting a dog and discussed it with your family. (To make sure all family members are "on the same page" with regard to the dog you would like to adopt, please see 8 Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog.)

... you realize that you will have to make some changes, but know that having a dog is worth the sacrifice.

... you've researched different breeds, talked with other Miniature Schnauzer owners, and decided that this is the right breed for you. (If you haven't done much research on the breed - or if you would like to learn more - please see The Educational Miniature Schnauzer. This is one of - if not THE best - online tools to learn about the breed. Please also see Is the Miniature Schnauzer The Right Dog For You? for additional information.)

... you refuse to buy a dog from a pet store or through local newspapers or "shopper" ads because you know that reputable and responsible breeders do not place their dogs that way. (Please see Identifying a Reputable and Responsible Schnauzer Breeder.)

... you found NJSRN (or another reputable breed-specific rescue group).

... you understand that there is no "perfect" dog and that any dog you take into your home will likely need some training and socialization.

... you're prepared to work with the dog you adopt to help it become the perfect dog for your family (reputable rescue groups like NJSRN offer post-adoption assistance and follow-up).

Dogs Available for Adoption

Why Should you Adopt from NJSRN?

NJSRN has many Miniature Schnauzers available for adoption. Don't wait! Fill out our adoption application now. You can apply online now. Once submitted, this form will automatically be sent to NJSRN, and a copy will be sent to you. (Note that the form may take a minute or two to load - please be patient and don't attempt to refresh the page while the form is loading.)

This application is the first step in our adoption process, and we need the application before we talk to you about any of the dogs in our rescue program. When we receive your application, we will check to make sure that it is complete and will contact you to request any missing information. We then share your completed application with our members and add your name to our waiting list.

As you complete the application, we encourage you to be honest and thorough in your responses - there are no "right" or "wrong" answers to the questions we ask, and an accurate and complete application helps us with the matching process.

Please keep in mind that we rarely get puppies or very young dogs in our rescue program. If you understand the commitment required when adopting a puppy - housetraining, obedience training, socialization, teaching appropriate chewing, etc. - and you are interested in adopting only a puppy, please e-mail Nadine at seals@exit109.com for referrals to a reputable breeder.

Just how DO we match a dog to its permanent home?

Our dogs come from a variety of sources. Whether we take in a dog from its original owner or we rescue it from a shelter, we attempt to find out as much as possible about that dog. We want to know its likes and its dislikes. What is its routine? Has it lived with kids, cats, or other dogs? Does it show signs of separation or other anxiety? What is its medical history? Does it have any existing medical conditions? Does it "play well with others?" Is it overly-protective of its toys, its food, or its people? NJSRN's foster families play a critical role in helping us to create a profile for each dog in our care. Using that profile, we review our waiting list to find a family that matches the dog's needs. Our number one priority is finding the right permanent, loving home for each dog in our care - not a dog for each home on our list.

Once NJSRN has identified a dog that would be a good match for your home, one of our members will contact you. Most often, the call will come from the dog's champion - an NJSRN member who is serving as the chief advocate for that dog. He or she will tell you about the dog and ask questions that help to determine whether the match appears to be as good as it looks on paper. If you are not interested in the dog we call about, or if you are not able to adopt when you get the call, just tell us. We understand that things may have changed since you submitted your application. We would not want you to agree to adopt a dog that you could not care for, or a dog that would not become a member of your family.

After we have matched your home to a dog, checked your references, talked with you about the potential adoption, and have your agreement on adopting, the dog's champion will propose the adoption to the members for consideration. After approval, we will schedule the adoption date, time, and location. You will be asked to sign an adoption agreement and to pay an adoption fee.

Answers to some of the more frequently asked questions concerning adoption can be found here. If you have any other questions, please e-mail us at info@njsrn.org or call our rescue hotline at 732-920-8242.

Left: Gabby and Zach (adopted 2005) and Isabella (adopted 2006).

WAITING

I'm waiting here in foster care
For you to come and see.
The one the others have passed by
Please stop and look at me!

I'm not alone here in my quest
To find myself a place,
Where someone will have love for me,
and softly stroke my face.

We're not so young in years, they say,
Although we're young at heart.
If you will take a chance on us
Please know, we'll do our part!

Our faces have a bit of white,
Our legs a slower gait,
Our hearts so full of love to give
But still, we sit and wait.

A younger dog is what folks want,
A dog who romps and plays.
They just won't take the time to look,
They say we're old and gray.

Little do these people know
The things that we can offer them.
Manners learned and quiet souls
Good dogs, all, we’ve been.

There are those among us, too
Whose souls were damaged and in pain.
Before they came to this safe place
And learned to trust again.

When new folks come and look at them,
They seem withdrawn and shy.
Time is all they need to learn
That new bonds they can tie.

Patience, love, and gentle hands
Is all they ask of you.
In exchange, their hearts they give
In their lives so new.

We may not be the perfect dogs
In everybody's eye
Too big, too small, too brown, too blue
Too black, too old, too shy.

But unless you sit and take the time
and see all that we can be
You'll miss the best - that's us right here
Please stop! Hey, look at ME!

~ Author Unknown ~