b'A Communityof Furry LoveRescuing pets in SOMABY ADRIANNA DONATKaren Donovan fostered Monty and his siblings for Purrfect Pals, Inc. He has since been adopted. C hristel Hyden knows fostering pets makes a difference.Last year, almost 54 percent of New Jersey animal shelters were no-kill, and One of her success stories is about a group of adorablein order to adopt from any shelter in New Jersey, a pet must be spayed or neu-husky puppies rescued from a hoarding situation in atered, which helps with overpopulation. Still, thousands of dogs, cats, puppies southern state. They were afraid to come out of theirand kittens are in need of loving homes. Many of our neighbors are stepping up crate. At first, we couldnt even tell how many puppiesto help by providing space for them until they can find homes.there were. They stayed with their noses in a corner inLauri Rothstein is the Secretary of the East Orange Animal Alliance, a non-a clump. But little by little, her son was able to coaxprofit that she cofounded. Along them out and make progress with them. It took a long time as small steps werewithseveralotherSOMAresi-made, she says. Eventually, they became happy, playful, and adoptable. Wedents, she works to raise money saw what a dramatic difference fostering can make, says Hyden. to enable the City of East Orange Hyden is part of a dedicated and connected group of volunteers in Maple- tocareeffectivelyforitsat-risk wood and South Orange that is making a big difference here and up and downanimals, increase exposure to its the east coast by reducing the number of pets that are euthanized.sheltersadoptableanimals,and These unfortunate deaths stem from a lack of space in shelters. In 2020 alone,more.more than 5,000 pets in New Jersey were euthanized in shelters. This is very sad,SaysRothstein,Sincethe but the number gets a little lower each year as the state creeps toward its goal ofpandemic hit, our work has shift- For a brief time, Hyden fostered a large group of puppies before they moved to their final having only no-kill shelters.edinlargeparttocommunityfoster home.18/ matters magazine / fall 2021'