Meet Barbara, Ernest, Kermit, Kiki, and Mufasa — five dogs who are looking to be adopted from WISE Animal Rescue and into New Jersey homes. While each of these dogs has different personalities, they have one thing in common — each pup is looking for a loving family and a place to call their forever home this Valentine’s Day. Read on to learn more about Barbara, Ernest, Kermit, Kiki, and Mufasa, and how to adopt these dogs from WISE Animal Rescue.
Barbara | Pit Bull Terrier Mix
Barbara is an 8-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. She is calm, but also has a fun-loving personality, and is is happiest snuggling next to you or going outside for walks and to play fetch. Barbara also loves squeaky toys. She was rescued from a local municipal shelter, where she had severe pneumonia — WISE immediately got her necessary medical care. Barbara is a sweet girl who would love a family who will shower her with affection, and does well with other dogs and kids above the age of six. She is house-trained, knows sit, paw, and responds well when told “no.”
For Barbara’s adoption information, click here.
Read More: This New Jersey Local Flew Across the East Coast for an Animal Rescue Mission
Ernest | Pit Bull
Ernest is a 2-year-old Pit Bull. He loves cuddling, head scratches, and being talked to, and follows his foster everywhere as best he can. Ernest was found in Westfield after being thrown from a moving truck, and was rescued by Westfield Police and VEG Union before coming to WISE. It is suspected that Ernest was born with the front leg deformities found on him, and has a form of dwarfism. He is dealing with various medical issues — a weakened immune system, vision issues, anemia, a heart murmur, and low weight — but still manages to wag his tail and stay in good spirits while recovering.
Ernest is not ready for adoption just yet, but you can donate to his ongoing care on WISE’s website.
Kermit | Miniature Schnauzer
Kermit is a 10-year-old Mini Schnauzer, and the definition of a laid-back gentleman. He spent his entire life being used for breeding at a puppy mill, and was rescued by WISE. Unbothered by kids, noisy tweens, or everyday chaos, Kermit takes life in stride — and would do well in a calm and loving home where he can enjoy his golden years. He’s perfectly content riding in the car, lounging on his favorite fuzzy blanket, rooting around in his snuffle mat for hidden treats, or just soaking up attention from his humans. Kermit loves other dogs and would thrive having a calm, doggy sibling to match his energy. While house training is still a work in progress, he enjoys sleeping in his crate, and does well on a leash.
For Kermit’s adoption information, click here.
Kiki | Pomeranian
Kiki is a 1-year-old Pomeranian. Though he is little, Kiki has a lot of energy and loves to walk and play with toys. He was surrendered by his previous owner, who realized they couldn’t provide the time and commitment he needed. Kiki could use a dog companion and an experienced dog owner to help him learn the ropes and master his training. Since he loves companionship, he’d prefer a home where someone is around most of the time. Kiki does well with kids 16 and up, as well as other dogs and cats. He is great on a leash, is crate-trained, and mostly house-trained, with some occasional accidents.
For Kiki’s adoption information, click here.
See More: Dog-Friendly Winter Getaways Within 2 Hours of Hoboken + Jersey City
Mufasa | Pomeranian Chihuahua
Mufasa is a 3-month-old Pomeranian Chihuahua (aka Pomchi). He is a lively and playful pup who’s always up for fun, and loves playing with his favorite toys, enjoying family time, or showing off his best jacket on outings. Mufasa was rejected from a puppy mill and set to be put down before being rescued by WISE. Mufasa’s enthusiasm for learning makes training a breeze — he is eager to please, incredibly receptive, and is ready to continue to master puppy basics with a family who will guide him with love and consistency. He would love a family that’s ready to shower him with love, attention, and plenty of playtime — Mufasa loves being the center of attention. He does well with kids, as well as other dogs and cats.
Mufasa is not ready for adoption just yet as he is recovering from a broken leg, but you can donate to his ongoing care on WISE’s website.
11 Eco-Friendly Businesses in Montclair + Essex County
The Montclair area is home to a variety of eco-friendly businesses, cafes, and stores that provide consumers with sustainable alternatives. From eco-friendly hair salons to sustainably farmed coffee, these businesses can help those in the Northern New Jersey area commit to a greener future, reduce their carbon footprint, and live more sustainably. Read on for a guide to eco-friendly stores in the Montclair area.
Acorn General Store | 41 Church Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: Acorn General Store
Acorn General Store is one of the newest additions to Montclair’s shopping scene. Here one can find sustainably sourced products, and eco-friendly brands featuring apparel and accessories, home goods, body care, packaged foods, gifts, and pet toys, plus several vintage items.
Read More: 15 Cool Spots to Visit in Millburn, New Jersey
ByNext | 57 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
In 2019, two companies agreed to merge and the result was ByNext, an omni-service single-source solution company for customers' home service needs. Today, ByNext has 50,000 active customers and is growing. The company has cleaned and laundered over 50 million items. With 40 branded delivery vehicles and tricycles, ByNext can reach customers in Verona, Jersey City, and even Brooklyn, New York. ByNext strives to provide the best quality and customer service possible and in the most sustainable way possible, too. Services include dry cleaning, wash + fold, tailoring, and altering. ByNext’s wash + fold service uses eco-friendly detergent, and when dry cleaning, ByNext uses GreenEarth solvents.
Dry Goods Refillery | 193 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Jamie Grill Photography
Dry Goods Refillery is an eco-friendly zero-waste store in Montclair. This dedicated plastic- and package-free grocery store focuses on reducing waste for eco-minded consumers who prioritize sustainable products and mission-based businesses.
Good Bottle Refill Shop | 1875 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
Good Bottle Refill Shop is a refill shop and zero-waste store in Maplewood. Here, consumers can buy refills of hand and dish soap, cleaning products, bath + body products, laundry detergents, olive oil, sesame oil, and more.
Green Bucket Compost | Various Locations
Photo Credit: Green Bucket Compost
Green Bucket Compost provides services to the Essex County communities of Maplewood and Millburn. Other towns include Cranford, Hoboken, Rahway, Summit, and Westfield. Green Bucket Compost has different options for food scrap collection, including an at-home pickup program and for events like weddings or Sweet 16's.
Java’s Compost | Various Locations
As of August 2024, Java’s Compost has kept over 3.6 million pounds of food scraps from meeting landfills and incinerators. This number has tripled from 1.2 million pounds from May 2022. Java’s Compost is currently available for Essex County households and businesses in Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Madison, Millburn, Montclair, Orange, South Orange, Verona, and West Orange. Other towns include Chatham, Cranford, Garwood, Madison, Morristown, Mountainside, New Providence, Summit, and Westfield. If you don’t live in any of these communities, don’t worry — Java’s Compost has drop-off locations in Newark and Glen Ridge.
Java Love | Various Locations
Photo Credit: Java Love
Java Love’s coffee is either all organic and/or sustainably farmed, fair trade, or rainforest alliance-certified. This spot also has a variety of sweet and savory baked goods and drinks. Java Love has four locations in Montclair: 244 Bellevue Avenue, 40 Church Street, 39 Glen Ridge Avenue + 1 University Promenade at Montclair State University. There is another nearby location located at 86 Lackawanna Avenue Suite 242 in Woodland Park.
MontclairMade | Online
MontclairMade is a handmade online store providing vintage and sustainable items. Products include bags, books, bags made from T-shirts, bird ornaments, and fabric coasters.
Nornir Materiel | Online
Morgan Chase is the founder and owner of Nornir Materiel. At a young age, she moved to Montclair, eventually graduated from Montclair High School, and attended Rutgers University. She found jewelry as a creative outlet and turned this passion into a business during the quarantine. She designs thread earrings and charms. She offsets her emissions by planting trees and sourcing materials from ethical origins only. Wildlife rescue is extremely important to her, thus every purchase comes with a donation to a wildlife charity. The jewelry boxes and shipping packaging Morgan uses are also biodegradable.
Rebel Hair Studio | 174 Bloomfield Avenue Suite 105, Nutley
Photo Credit: Rebel Hair Studio
Nutley’s Rebel Hair Studio is a premier luxury hair salon providing hair care and eco-friendly practices using responsibly sourced products. This spot, which provides a New York-standard experience, was founded by Marisa Critelli in 2019. The team here includes highly trained professionals who foster a welcoming environment. Inclusion and care are at the top of Rebel’s list. It is a safe space for all people regardless of gender, orientation, ethnicity, or religion. A principle of this spot is the belief that hair has no gender and thus all services are based on the length and complexity of the service. As a Certified Green Circle Salon, Rebel is taking ethical steps to reduce waste in the beauty industry. It is also the first Green Circle Salon in all of Essex County. As a part of this initiative, Rebel Salon can find a second use for excess hair color, hair clippings, metals, paper, cardboard, and plastics. Learn about how these materials are recycled and reused here.
See More: A Guide to Going Green in Hoboken
Sustainable Haus Mercantile | 221 Broad Street, Summit
Summit’s Sustainable Haus Mercantile carries 50 refillable products at fair prices. Items include wood cutting boards, soap bars, recycled paper pencils, tea strainers, eye shadow, and so much more.
