The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission.
The legacy of Linda Schiller lives on through the Eleventh Hour Animal Rescue, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization she founded in 2004. Her dedication to saving lives and unwavering commitment to animal welfare have led to the organization's growth to over 600 volunteers and partners spanning multiple states and countries (primarily located in Morris County NJ). Under Linda's leadership, the efforts of these individuals have resulted in over 45,000 animals being rescued and given a second chance at life. In late October 2020, shortly after finalizing the purchase agreement for Waggin Tails, Linda sadly passed away after bravely battling pancreatic cancer. The acquisition of a permanent home by Eleventh Hour Rescue ensures that Linda's life's work and passion for animals will endure for years to come, striving to empty every cage and provide hope for countless more animals in need.
Eleventh Hour Rescue is a primarily volunteer based, no-kill rescue that saves animals on Death Row from overcrowded high kill shelters, as well as taking in strays and owner surrenders before they go to the shelter. Eleventh Hour Rescue dogs and cats are cared for by our compassionate and dedicated team of volunteers and staff. Whether in foster homes, our kennel, or adoption centers, each dog and cat receive a clean and safe living environment, fresh food and water, medical attention, and most importantly an abundance of love and care until they find their forever homes. We are dedicated to educating the community about the animal overpopulation problem and the importance of spaying and neutering, as well as microchipping. Our goal is to find the best forever home possible for all of our animals, no matter what breed, size, age, or medical need.
Success ...
In fiscal 2023 we successfully found forever homes for:
Dogs = 907
Cats = 671
Rabbits and Hedgehogs = 21
Eleventh Hour Rescue is committed to providing top-notch medical care for all our pets. We microchip the animals upon intake and invested $92k in spay and neutering and $271k in other veterinary services to care for the animals while they are in our care and until they are adopted. Every new arrival is thoroughly examined by our dedicated staff to ensure they are in good health. If any medical issues arise, we spare no expense in seeking the expertise of veterinary professionals. Whether it's routine vaccinations, heartworm treatment, or even complex surgical procedures, we go above and beyond to give our pets the best possible care. Our goal is to ensure that each and every pet in our care receives the medical attention they deserve, so they can live happy, healthy lives to the fullest.
At our organization, exceptional customer service is not just a goal—it's a fundamental part of who we are. We strive to make every interaction feel like welcoming a new member into our family. Our ultimate mission is to find loving forever homes for all our animals as swiftly as possible, allowing us to save even more lives in need. We are dedicated to ensuring that the adoption process is smooth and seamless, making it easier for both our animals and their new families to start their journey together. We do not receive any government funding and rely on the generosity of donors and sponsors.
Eleventh Hour Rescue is dedicated to saving dogs from all corners of the country, with a special focus on building strong relationships with shelters in the South. Our weekly incoming transports from reputable shelters such as Lonestar, Hearts of Steele, Angie Moore, Gilmer County, Lizman, Dixon, and Barkville allow us to give these dogs a second chance at finding a loving home. In addition to shelter transfers, we also accept owner surrenders after a thorough evaluation by our experienced trainer. We prioritize the well-being of each dog in our care and ensure that we never take in more than we can handle, as overcrowding would compromise the quality of care we provide. We understand that not every adoption works out as planned, which is why we have a compassionate system in place for dogs that need to be returned. At Eleventh Hour Rescue, our commitment to the dogs we rescue is unwavering, and we strive to give each and everyone the chance they deserve.
Eleventh Hour Rescue’s kennel in Flanders NJ is home to 30 long term dogs that are unlikely to be adopted given some of their challenges (for example guarding) as it takes significant time to find the right fit and in some cases we will seek a sanctuary to take them. We have an active foster network, a cattery at the Rockaway Mall, and we have adoption centers for cats at the Petsmart in Rockaway and Kearny, and dogs and cats at the Roxbury Mall in Succasunna. Total dogs including kennel and fosters 125-150, cats including Rockaway Mall adoption center and fosters 200-250, rabbits 15-30. The average length of stay is 67 days for dogs and 94 days for cats (this number is impacted by kittens as we take in a significant number of new born to very young kittens that cannot be adopted right away). We have 7 full time and 16 part time staff working at our kennel, the Rockaway Mall adoption site and in our vetting teams. The Board and Executive Committee do not receive any compensation. They volunteer their time and expertise to support the organization.
Eleventh Hour Rescue’s business plan revolves around our marketing strategy which focuses on leveraging social media platforms and building relationships with local vendors and media outlets. We have secured the domain names www.ehrdogs.org for our organization. Our website serves as a hub for all essential information, including our tax-exempt status, contact details, mission statement, adoptable animals, adoption process, volunteer opportunities, and donation requests. To increase our online presence, we actively use Facebook (over 98k following), and Instagram to showcase our animals, promote adoption events and fundraisers, and solicit donations. Our target is to grow our social media following. Our team includes a talented hobbyist photographer responsible for capturing images of animals at adoption events. Foster providers are encouraged to share photos of their animals and can request a professional photo shoot from our staff photographer. In terms of audience targeting, our focus is on engaging with volunteers, donors, foster providers, and potential adopters within the local community. We intend to collaborate with local businesses such as pet stores, grocery stores, large retail chains, and community centers to display flyers and reach our target demographic effectively. By combining our online presence through social media, a user-friendly website, engaging newsletters, and strategic partnerships with local businesses, Eleventh Hour Rescue aims to expand our reach, increase donations, and ultimately save more animals in need.