New England Puppy Rescue

04/17/2025

☕️ Introducing: The Coffee Crew! ☕️ ALL PUPPIES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED!

This week, we received an urgent call from a local Animal Control Officer. A family was overwhelmed with an unexpected litter of purebred Australian Shepherd puppies—and within 2 hours, our team had them safe in our care, mom scheduled for spay, and vet care underway. It was an incredible community effort and marks our FOURTH local save of the year!

Say hello to:
☕️Mocha
☕️Affogato
☕️Macchiato
☕️Espresso
☕️Cappuccino
☕️Cortado

These boys are social, affectionate, and typical Aussies: smart, high-energy, and eager to learn. They’re being fostered with other dogs, have been exposed to chickens, and are already starting their potty training journey. And yes… they’re as energetic as your morning triple shot. Decaf isn’t an option with this crew!

We are looking for active, breed-experienced homes that understand the needs of herding dogs and are ready for the commitment these incredible pups deserve.

Please be patient with us—these puppies have already received nearly 30 applications. We are carefully reviewing each one and prioritizing homes with Australian Shepherd or working breed experience.

Follow for updates as we match each Coffee Pup with their perfect forever home!

04/15/2025

Petfinder is just a database—not a rescue or shelter, and not an organization that actually vets the groups listing dogs. Anyone with a veterinary reference (yes, anyone. No need to be a non-profit or officially registered organization) can post available pets with very little oversight which means it’s up to YOU to research and make an informed decision on where you rescue. More people need to know this!

We recently scrolled through Petfinder and were horrified by what we saw:
⚠️ “Out of Town” dogs dominating the feed, advertised as “We can ship to you!”
⚠️ $900+ adoption fees for puppies being sent on large transport trucks.
⚠️ No accountability or transparency—just a “dog for sale” mentality.

We know what these puppies look like coming off transport. They are stressed, exhausted, scared, and exposed to unknown illnesses from being put in close quarters. It is a means to get to safety, and for that it is necessary. But, they need serious decompression before their true personalities even emerge. Is this really what adoption should look like?

We’re here to tell you: No. A responsible adoption process matters.

Yes, puppies are dying at a heartbreaking rate—but that should never mean rushing, forcing, or guilting a family into taking home a dog with unknown risks. If you are paying an adoption fee, ask yourself: What exactly are you paying for?

What to Look For in a Rescue:
✅ A local rescue with dogs and a network in your area (or even better, a facility!)
✅ Accountability—where do you turn if there’s a critical problem or the information you were told is wrong?
✅ Full transparency about medical care, behavior assessments, and adoption support- and an EXAM in the STATE they are being adopted! It's the regulation!!
✅ A well-adjusted puppy in foster care—not one coming off a 12+ hour transport, stressed and potentially sick.

Puppies need time to bond, adjust, and transition properly.

Do your research. Adoption should be about saving lives the right way.

If you want to complete your family with the perfect puppy from a reputable rescue, visit www.newenglandpuppyrescue.com/adopt

04/13/2025

🍓🥝 Introducing the Fruit Puppies 🍌🍏

From 1.5 lb bottle babies to confident, cuddly, and oh-so-social pups—these eight little sweethearts have officially graduated from our Orphan Puppy Program and are ready to find their forever homes!

Resilient, people-loving, dog-friendly, vacuum-proof, and snuggle-approved... this litter is as delightful as their names:

🍇 Grape (f)
🍌 Banana (m)
🌿 Dewberry (m)
🫐 Elderberry (f)
🍎 Apple (f)
🍈 Honeydew (f)
🍒 Cherry (f) ADOPTION PENDING
🌰 Fig (m)

Each one has their own unique charm, but they’re all total lovebugs. Whether you’re looking for a playful explorer or a cozy couch companion, your perfect match may just be one of these fruity cuties. And their mix is too funny- known as Boglen Terriers! While it is an educated guess, these pups will be around 35lbs when full grown making them Small/Medium!

📍Now accepting applications!

Comment ADOPT to get more information!

04/10/2025

Thank you Cathy Bissell for being a rescue advocate, always.

We never sacrifice quality homes for any of our puppies but some of the stories that we have heard from adoption agencies going on power trips over simple things like a fenced in backyard or heartworm preventative being missed, makes us crazy in this overpopulation crisis.

*Read Cathy’s blog post*

When adopters do not have an option to RESCUE a puppy, what is their option? What will happen then? They will buy from a breeder, puppy mill, online store or backyard breeder. Is that what we are promoting?

And, please don’t be fooled, every Rescue is not considered equal. Look for rescues that follow regulations, have proper veterinary care, foster homes and don’t hand out puppies at large scale adoption events with NO process at all.

Cathy Bissell shares honest insight on the barriers to adoption.

03/19/2025

Having every puppy examined upon arrival is just one part of our dedicated process—one that makes us proud to be a reputable rescue.

Why is this so important?

✔️ The entire goal is to ensure we have healthy, happy puppies—otherwise, why did we rescue them?
✔️ It provides peace of mind for adopters, knowing their new family member has received the proper care.
✔️ While we can’t change what these puppies have been through before rescue, we can be responsible by ensuring they receive all necessary medical care, including vaccinations, f***l tests, deworming, and any needed treatments.
✔️ It’s not just ethical—it’s the law. In Connecticut (and many other states), rescues must have puppies examined by a licensed veterinarian in the state where they are being adopted—not just by a vet from another state. If a puppy hasn’t been seen by a veterinarian IN YOUR STATE, do not adopt without asking why!

Yes, dogs and puppies are dying at a heartbreaking rate—but that should never mean an adoption is rushed, forced, or that a family is guilted into taking home a dog with unknown health risks. If you are paying an adoption fee, make sure the rescue is doing things the right way—because otherwise, what exactly are you paying for?

The sad reality is that not all information given about a puppy’s health or background is accurate when they arrive. That’s why we take every step necessary to ensure both health and behavior before they go to their forever homes.

A huge thank you to Dr. Blakeley for her unwavering commitment to our puppies, day and night! Thanks to her and our in-house veterinary team, every puppy gets the care and attention they deserve.

03/17/2025

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀

Today, we celebrate the lucky puppies saved from an uncertain fate. Whether you’ve rescued, adopted, fostered, or supported in any way—thank you for being part of a greater good.

So far in 2025, we’ve been lucky enough to:
🐶 Save 43 puppies (and counting!)
🐾 Rescue three orphan litters under 4 weeks old
💚 Spay a private-owned mother dog after helping surrendered puppies
✈️ Launch our Pilot Transport Initiative with our first flight of many thanks to (more to come with this!!)
🏡 Rescue two of the groups from Connecticut

We couldn’t do it without our fosters, volunteers, adopters, and supporters! Feeling extra LUCKY today knowing how many lives we’ve changed.

03/14/2025

You’ve never seen anything like a group of orphaned puppies discovering food for the first time. It’s messy, adorable, and a crucial step in their journey.

At around 3.5 to 4 weeks old, puppies begin learning how to eat from a platter with careful supervision. But did you know that bottle feeding at this stage can potentially cause behavioral issues? Without a mother to correct them, puppies who continue bottle feeding past the necessary stage may develop poor bite inhibition. That’s why we only bottle feed when it’s nutritionally essential for puppies under 3 weeks old.

Thanks to your generosity, every orphaned puppy in our care this past month received the weaning food they needed. Two litters under 4 weeks have already come into our program—one has found loving homes, and this litter pictured will be available soon. And these are just a few of the many lives saved this year because of your support.

Every donation makes a difference. If you want to be part of saving the next litter, visit https://www.newenglandpuppyrescue.com/donate to help us continue our life-saving work.

03/10/2025

It only takes SEVEN days to save a life.

Just one week of your time, love and care is all it takes to change a rescue puppy’s future forever.

Fostering isn’t a long-term commitment; it’s a life-saving opportunity. Whether you can open your home once a month or four times a year, each time makes an incredible impact. We provide all the supplies and support—you provide the love.

By fostering, you’re not just helping a puppy; you’re giving them a second chance at life and helping a family experience the joy of unconditional love.

If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time. Visit https://www.newenglandpuppyrescue.com/get-involved to learn more and take the first step in changing a life.

03/06/2025

⭐️ PRO TIP FOR ANYONE OUT THERE HESITATING ABOUT ADOPTING IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER...

👉 The cold helps your new pup go to the bathroom faster outside
👉 AND it gives you a new snuggle buddy so you can keep each other warm!

Adoptions slow down so much during the winter which is heartbreaking because there is still so much need. 💔

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean your perfect family member isn’t out there! ❄️

03/04/2025

POV: Your old life of fear, uncertainty, and instability just ended. Your new life starts now.

03/02/2025

We're living in a world where some puppies lack a voice, a chance, or even a happy memory. At New England Puppy Rescue, we are here to change that! 🐶

At the heart of our dedication lies a focus on under-aged and orphaned puppies; where we employ our comprehensive young puppy protocol to ensure their health, well-being, and socialization for a successful start in new homes.

If you're interested in volunteering to help with our rescue puppies, comment PUPPY for the link to volunteer! ❤️

02/28/2025

Our puppy-raiser River, a true legend. ❤️

02/27/2025

No matter what time of year you adopt, you are always going to have to deal with New England winters. Let that sink in. ❄️

Make a difference today. Comment WINTER to change a life!

02/26/2025

If you swiped to the end, here's how you can complete that final step:

Join us for our Puppy Love & Rescue: Foster & Volunteer Open House this Friday, February 28th!

🐾 You’ll meet our team, connect with experienced foster homes, and learn how you can make a life-saving impact.

🐾 This event is invite-only. To receive an invitation, you must have an approved Foster application on file with us or receive a private invite.

🚨 Important Note: No children under 12, please.

👉 Ready to open your home to a pup in need? Comment FOSTER to apply today and join us for an evening of rescue, community, and, of course, puppy love. 🥰

02/23/2025

Research shows that having a puppy improves heart health!

👉 We 100% will believe anything this researcher says! 😍

No but actually, in honor of February being , we thought it might be fun to highlight a few of the ways that puppies can benefit our heart health:

❤️ Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Spending time with puppies can lower your levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase the production of oxytocin (the "feel-good" hormone). Lower stress levels can help reduce the risk of heart disease, as chronic stress is linked to high blood pressure and heart issues.

❤️ Increased Physical Activity: Puppies need exercise, and taking them for walks or playing with them encourages owners to be more active. Regular physical activity, even moderate exercise like walking, is known to improve heart health by boosting circulation, lowering blood pressure, and maintaining a healthy weight.

❤️ Lower Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that petting a dog, including a puppy, can lower blood pressure and heart rate. The calming effect of cuddling or playing with a puppy helps people feel relaxed and can improve overall cardiovascular health.

In case you needed ANOTHER reason to love puppies, you're welcome! 😉

02/22/2025

What other red flags have you seen when working with other rescues? 🚩

We wanna hear 'em! 👇

02/21/2025

📣 Calling all dog lovers!

Join us for our Puppy Love & Rescue: Foster & Volunteer Open House on Friday, February 28th!

🐾 You’ll meet our team, connect with experienced foster homes, and learn how you can make a life-saving impact.

🐾 This event is invite-only. To receive an invitation, you must have a Foster Application submitted with us or receive a private invite.

*We will be sending those invites out over the weekend!*

🚨 Important Note: No children under 12, please.

👉 Ready to open your home to a pup in need? Click on the link below to apply today and join us for an evening of rescue, community, and, of course, puppy love. 🥰

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejEMqVxZGyfT0_jwSyAmDbj4tDFHXoa81pdYdoI19L1dTgrg/viewform

02/02/2024

We are very proud when our Orphan Puppy Program and our puppy raiser are featured in articles online. We are thankful to be a beacon of hope for so many.

Orphaned dogs meet a new role model, and it's an experience filled with hope. See the incredible story of a puppy raiser and his impact on these precious pups' lives.