Luna, a gentle giant weighing around 75 pounds, is in search of a loving home once more. Rescued in 2021 during our Texas Rescue trip alongside her sister Ember, Luna found a home with a devoted volunteer who adored her. Sadly, this week, Luna’s world was turned upside down when her beloved volunteer passed away, leaving her in need of a new family.

Luna is house-trained and a friendly companion. Because of her size and her exuberance for life, we suggest a home without young children. She is strong on a leash and requires a firm and confident handler. As a Great Pyrenees mix, Luna embodies her breed’s stubborn nature. While experience with Great Pyrenees isn’t necessary, an experienced handler would be ideal. Despite her strong will, Luna is a wonderful dog who cherishes everyone she meets. If you can offer a home to this beautiful girl who has lost so much, she would be eternally grateful and so would those of us who love her.

Although Luna gets along with most dogs, her ideal home would be as the only dog. She tends to get along better with male dogs.

If you are interested in providing this girl a happily ever after, please fill out an adoption application on our website at www.northstarpets.org. 

Luna thanks you !!

Zulu is a 15-year-old smooth-coated Chihuahua who was recently rescued from a shelter where she was at risk because of her age & medical issues. She was surrendered by her owners because of these issues. Zulu has some lumps throughout her body as well as some skin tags/growths. She still has a lot of spunk for being a senior and let the shelter office cat know just how big of a fan she was NOT of her. She is small (12 pounds) but mighty!

Zulu has been easy to handle and is very sweet. As she is healing, she is showing more of her personality - she barks, she runs around, she asks to be held & even asks to come up on the couch with you. She is a great lapdog and companion.  Zulu is now in a wonderful foster home while she gets fixed up before heading to NJ. Zulu is just an old lady needing a lap to retire on!

If you are interested in meeting Zulu, please complete an adoption application and ask for her by name, ZULU TX!

Ash is a 4 year-old Belgian Malinois mix weighing 65 pounds who is smart as well as loving. She sits nicely whenever the possibility of a treat comes around and also sits and waits for her meals to be served. She has even taught herself to go to the door when she has to go out. Don’t worry, if you’re not around to see it, she’ll give you a verbal warning. Ash is housebroken and kennel trained, although she prefers a treat or two when entering her kennel.

Ash is super sweet and affectionate, quick to bond with her human and is a master cuddler and leaner. She is very curious and will want to follow you everywhere you go and watch everything you do. She is a bit of a nervous nelly when it comes to meeting new people and, in true Malinois fashion, she tends to be vocal about her fear. She needs a human who will be understanding and patient with her when it comes to introducing visitors and new friends. Dog introductions should be conducted slowly as well.

Ash takes a few days to warm up to her new environment but once she does, her personality shines through. She can run all day in the yard with her furry foster siblings or crash just about anywhere when it’s time to wind down. She loves any and all kinds of toys and will throw them around all by herself. She is an awesome puppy that would bring heaps of love and energy to anyone willing to adopt her.

After being rescued from a Texas shelter, NorthStar discovered that Ash has a severe congenital deformity that will lead to congestive heart failure. She will need to be monitored closely for any symptoms (exercise intolerance, coughing, shortness of breath). She is currently on medication for her condition and seeking the care of a cardiologist is recommended. Doctors told us that Ash's longevity would be affected, predicting that she might only reach her 5th birthday. But Ash has continued to thrive and at the age of almost-4-years-old, she is still going strong.  Ash is looking for a very special adopter who will love this sweet girl and give her the care she needs for the rest of her life, however long that might be.

If Ash's story has touched your heart and you would like to give this girl a loving home, please fill out an application at www.northstarpets.org & be sure to ask for ASH TX. Ash has been spayed, microchipped and up to date on her vaccines. The adoption fee for this sweet girl is $425.

If you’re looking for a sweet, gentle, easy-going dog who loves everyone, then stop reading this bio. The dog I’m going to tell you about has none of those redeeming qualities. You most likely will have zero desire to adopt this dog.

You’re still reading? Suit yourself. Chente was surrendered to the Newark shelter, and honestly, while we rescue peeps usually negatively judge people who give up their dogs, in this case, it’s understandable. We hope Chente’s former owners are okay and are not too traumatized. See, Chente is an extremely unpleasant dog. He enjoys biting when you even think about doing something he doesn’t approve of, which, if you ask him, is most of the time.

Don’t try to pick him up, don’t try to get him off your couch or bed, don’t try to take a toy away, and definitely don’t try to cut his nails. He will bite you. He has no qualms about biting you and absolutely enjoys putting us humans in our places. Chente believes that we subordinates should automatically know that everything belongs to him. Everything. 

Oh, so you don’t think this sounds too terrible? Allow me to elaborate. While Chente does get along with other dogs, when they get all excited and happy, he becomes even more evil and contentious towards us humans. Rather than absorb, accept, and reciprocate his fellow species’ positivity and enthusiasm, Chente rejects it and turns it into hostility and savageness. He will bite you. He won’t bite the other dogs. Just you. 

See a pattern here? But wait, there’s more! 

If you are a loner and don’t have friends or family, maybe you have a slight chance of making Chente semi-content. If you do have friends and family and are unwise enough to have them come through your door in Chente’s presence, well then, that’s on you. Congratulations, you are now the aforementioned loner since those friends and family will never come to your home again after inevitably being bitten by Chente.

If you aren’t scared off yet, I guess I should mention some positives. Yep, there are a few. Chente is housetrained and crate trained and can definitely live harmoniously with other dogs. He likes riding in the car. He’s also only about 20 lbs and kind of cute and fluffy, but don’t tell him that or he will probably bite you.

In case I haven’t made myself completely clear, Chente absolutely cannot live with kids, ever, and even living with most adults is highly questionable. His current fosters are at his mercy. 

There you have it. That’s Chente. The good, the bad, the even more bad, and the very, very ugly. In the extremely unlikely event that you think you may be able to give Chente the life he demands and deserves, please fill out an application, and be sure to mention him by name…Chente NJ!

Cousin Brucie's foster mom tells us that this mild-mannered boy is actually very playful! He is 12 years old and weighs 126 pounds. Brucie gets along with all the people, dogs and cats in his foster home. He can be possessive of his food and treats so he should be fed separately and not allowed near the kitchen. Because of this, we feel he should be adopted into an adults-only home. Brucie is quite social as he likes to hang out with the people in his NJ foster home. He's a polite boy who won't go through a door first, he needs a human or dog to lead the way for him.

Brucie loves being touched -- a gentle head rub or combing makes his eyes fall shut. He seems skeptical of bathtime but as soon as the bubbles and hands start massaging his body, he melts into a puddle. Afterwards he rips around the yard like only a dog fresh out of a bath can do. Zoomies!

Brucie may be more than 10 years old, but this boy does very well for his age and size. Brucie leashes very well, can take stairs and actually trots around a lot. He is a handsome Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix who came into the shelter in Texas with some skin issues which are now being treated. He's a very sweet boy who is now looking for a forever/retirement home! 

Brucie is neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccines. The adoption fee for this sweet guy is $250.

If you'd like to meet this sweet boy, please fill out an application at www.northstarpets.org and be sure to ask for him by name, COUSIN BRUCIE TX!

Glynis is a lovely lady who's about 7 years old.  She's excited and friendly when meeting new people and dogs both large and small.  She recently had a sleepover party at a house with a cat and did very well.  Glynis is super affectionate and her happy place is wherever you are, preferably curled up next to you or sitting in your lap.  At only 12 pounds, she's the perfect size for a lap dog!  Glynis is house trained, leash trained and prefers short walks over longer ones.  She is a spunky, free spirit so she prefers to spend her evenings and alone time outside of a crate.  All in all, Glynis is a low drama sweetheart!

Like many dogs from Texas, Glynis has tested positive for heartworm - her first treatment is on 4/8 under her foster mom's watchful eye. She also has luxated patellas on her back legs, but it does not affect her ability to go up or down stairs and she shows no discomfort. She does have some calcium deposits on her right cornea which are no problem at this point.

If you're interested in meeting Glynis, please complete an adoption application at www.northstarpets.org and be sure to ask for her by name - GLYNIS TX!

Hello, Husky lovers! My name is Husky TX. Original, huh?? I hail from Texas and was found as a stray, dirty and emaciated. My finder was kind enough to hold onto me until I could secure rescue. Luckily, a rescue stepped up, brought me up-to-date on shots, neutered me, which I will not get into, and in a few weeks time I was on my way to New Jersey! I am 3 years old and weigh 55 pounds.

I can be vocal when I play, like most Huskies are, but not overly. I enjoy playing with toys, bones, shoes, slippers, socks, and basically anything that is on the ground is mine. The good news is, you can take anything away from me and I don’t argue with you. The bad news is, finders-keepers, and I may inadvertently, but good heartedly, destroy something!

I am 99.9% housetrained, but if not brought out on a routine basis, I will have accidents. I need to be crated when you leave the house otherwise, if left to my own devices, I will have a party.!!! Oh, and what a party it will be!! I can be a bit of a klutz and may unintentionally trip you. I love lounging on the couch, and more than that, I love to lay on top of you. In fact, if you allow me, I make a really good weighted blanket! I enjoy riding in the car and do well traveling.

Although I enjoy playing with other dogs, I would prefer a home without a companion. Sometimes I get jealous and want everyone to myself. I currently have a BFF female pitty friend that I love to play with, but she only comes over occasionally. A Dude needs his space, right?!

My ideal home would be with a yard,  which is not a dealbreaker, but that would be in a perfect world. So, if you’re looking for a gorgeous, energetic boy to join your life, look no further, because Husky is here!

If you would like to meet this gorgeous boy, please fill out an adoption application at www.northstarpets.org and ask for HUSKY TX!

Meet Ivanhoe (Google it), Ivan for short, who came to NorthStar in 2022 all the way from Kentucky! Ivanhoe was adopted and has lived a good life. Unfortunately, his adopter, who has medical issues, can no longer give him the life he deserves so he is back with NorthStar. Ivanhoe is currently about 13 years old, is up to date on vaccinations and is neutered. He is a very sweet, short-legged, easy going Beagle. 

Ivan loves to be pet - his favorite thing is slow scratches under his chin. When his eyes look into yours, it melts your heart. His eyes are saying LOVE ME. He likes to cuddle on the couch with his person during the day. 

Ivanhoe really is a sweet boy and just wants to find his forever family so he can be loved and love them back! 

If you're interested in meeting this sweet boy, please fill out an adoption application at www.northstarpets.org and be sure to ask for him by name, IVANHOE KY! This boy's adoption fee is only $250 and he's worth every penny of it!

McCaffery was an outside dog before coming to New Jersey in 2021. He had NEVER had the luxury of living in a home environment. In 2021 he arrived in New Jersey and was immediately adopted out to a family and learned all the skills of living the good life! Unfortunately, McCaffery is in need of a new home due to circumstances beyond his control, 

McCaffery is house trained and has lived with other dogs. He is cautious of meeting new people but not aggressive. He would do well in a quiet household. 

If you feel that you would like to meet McCaffery, please fill out an adoption application at www.northstarpets.org & mention his name.

Ms. Lady is a gorgeous Great Pyrenees mix who is super sweet, friendly with people and dogs and who would probably would be fine with cats because of her easy-going disposition. She is crate trained and housetrained but could use more leash training - she is rarely leashed as she has a big beautiful backyard to run around in her foster home in Texas! She is very low maintenance, low to medium energy,  and is in a foster home with 30 other dogs - she had that easy going, typical Pyr personality.

Lady is about 4 years old and weighs 68 pounds. She is already fully vetted and she's healthy, heartworm negative, has no tick borne diseases and is on monthly preventatives, etc.  

Lady is just happy to be in a home where someone is treating her well and she does not have to worry about where her next meal is coming from. She came into a Texas shelter with another Pyr mix (possibly her brother) - both were owner surrendered because the owners were letting them run loose and they did not want to pay the fine. The brother went to a local Austin rescue and Lady is now with NorthStar.

If you've always wanted to have a Great Pyrenees in your family, just fill out an application at www.northstarpets.org and ask to meet this sweet and gentle gal! The adoption fee for Ms. Lady will be $425.

Oodle TX is a sweet old man who is close to 11 years old and weighs under 14 pounds. He is very affectionate and is quite assertive about letting you know that you need to pet him. He likes his head rubbed a lot and when I rub his back he turns around so I can scratch his butt - if I stop he will paw at me!

If you are looking for a sweet, well-behaved, fun-loving boy then Oodle just might be your guy. When Oodle came to NJ he was a little underweight. He is now thriving at 17 lbs and is as handsome as ever!

Oodle is house trained, crate trained, super smart, a great eater and loves to be with his people. He knows simple commands like sit & stay. He is a pleasure to walk as long as no other dogs are around as he tends to be a bit leash reactive. Oodle LOVES to play fetch but also enjoys his daily naps. He’s an easy-going boy with a lot of personality. He is great company and will stay close to your side. His sweet temperament makes him extremely lovable! He is currently being fostered in a home with no pets or kids but was originally fostered in TX with other dogs and cats. Oodle has some arthritis in his back right leg and takes a daily anti-inflammatory medication which has proven to be a big help.

2 fun facts about Oodle: - 1 - Windshield wipers makes him bark. 

And 2 - Because he is missing a few front teeth, his tongue tends to hang out especially while he’s sleeping ~ so cute!

If you are interested in meeting Oodle, please complete an adoption application and be sure to ask for Oodle TX. His adoption fee is $250.

Check out the "before" photo of Pirate to see how neglected he was before being rescued by NorthStar! He has since had a grooming and looks like a whole new dog! He had to have surgery to remove a bulging eye, hence the name "Pirate"! He is 5 years old and weighs in at 18 lbs.