Sweet Pea Named 2019 ASPCA Dog Of The Year

Last year we announced that Sweet Pea was named the Face of Dog Fighting Awareness for New Jersey. This year in honor of her continued advocacy on behalf of abused and abandoned animals she was named the ASPCA 2019 Dog of the Year!

Our Sweet Pea was honored for …

Bringing attention to the Persistent Crime and Brutality of Dogfighting.

As the Official Face of Dogfighting Awareness for New Jersey, Sweet Pea spent the Summer of 2019 appearing in public awareness campaigns which featured her image on billboards. Her story has shined a light on this illegal industry that thrives on animal cruelty.

Busting Breed Stereotypes

As our committed supporters, may of you know Sweet Pea’s brutal past as a god fighting bait dog and her rescue from a dump in Camden, NJ. Despite everything she faced, including grueling treatment for bit wounds, Sweet Pea maintained a friendly and playful disposition. Her story is a far cry from the negative stereotypes so many people believe about Pit Bulls and a perfect example of the resilient nature of her breed.

Inspiring Donations for Animals in Need

Sweet Pea’s owner and President of NJ Aid for Animals, Kathy McGuire, oversees the Sweet Pea Fund, which since 2015 has been raising funds for dogfighting victims and other abused and abandoned animals. Sweet Pea’s fund has helped so many animals including many of the animals featured here. Without your generous donations to her fund, we wouldn’t be able to continue this work.

Be sure to like her “Sweet Pea Fund” Facebook Page.

REBEL NEEDS A HOME

Rebel is a stunning 60-pound gentleman who is low-maintenance and house-broken and is looking for a new home since his owner lost his. Rebel adores car rides, walks, and cozy naps. Oh, and he loves to catch tennis balls in his mouth and can sit too!

His personality is a delightful blend of sweet and independent, making him a perfect partner for those who appreciate the comfort of a loyal friend. Rebel’s gentleness is endearing, his mellow nature is a soothing presence in any home, and his cuddly side is sure to melt hearts. Rebel doesn’t dig, chew, or bark, making him a dream for those who value tranquility.

Rebel is also incredibly loyal, always there to offer his comforting presence. Rebel prefers to be the only pet in the house, soaking up all your love and attention.

Adopting Rebel means welcoming a companion who will bring joy, peace, and unconditional love into your life. Rebel checks all the boxes on being healthy and neutered. His adoption fee is discounted for a senior or veteran.

MS. FOX

This beautiful girl lost her way and her habitat in Camden, NJ. When one of our rescue partners alerted us about this seemingly sick “dog,” we consulted our wildlife experts who identified it as a severely mangy and distressed fox.

Determined to help, we set up a trap, and hungry and ailing, Ms. Fox walked right into it. After six weeks of dedicated care with our wildlife rescue partners, Ms. Fox successfully recovered from her mange, gained a few pounds, and was released into a safe and nurturing environment.

We are committed to assisting any animal in need, anytime. Although we are not wildlife rehabbers, we have cultivated relationships through the last twenty years with those that are, and they are just a phone call away to help our valued wildlife creatures.

FOCUS ON FERALS

Every day, almost one million healthy and adoptable cats face euthanasia in shelters throughout the United States, equating to a staggering 2,500 cats per day. Thanks to the Peanut Fund and your generous donations to our Focus on Ferals Initiative, we’ve made a significant impact by implementing trap-neuter-return (TNR) initiatives and successfully addressing the feral cat population.

This year alone, we’ve trapped, neutered, and released dozens of feral cats. Community and feral cat caregivers, who provide essential care to cats living outdoors, require assistance with provisions like food, shelter, and veterinary services. The trap-neuter-return approach has proven effective, preventing these cared-for cats from ending up in shelters.

Notably, in New Jersey, an impound facility only needs to keep a trapped feral cat for seven days, and without proper socialization, there are limited positive outcomes for feral or community cats. Your support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these feline companions.

We are also partnered with a local school to make these cozy and warm cat shelters for the community cats that have no advocates.

STAY INFORMED

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Visit our website often at NJAFA.org to keep informed about signature events and programs or to add your boots to the ground as a volunteer!