One Step Closer Animal Rescue OSCAR

06/04/2026

Hi OSCAR family—thank you for continuing to check in on us and for the steady support you’ve shown since the fire. We know many of you have been asking for updates, and we want to share what we can while the investigation and recovery work continue.

Where Things Stand Today

• Our insurance company has released the building back to us. This is a major milestone and means we can now begin demolition and removal of fire debris so we can move forward with rebuilding.
• Planning for the rebuild is underway. Over the past several weeks, we’ve been working through early evaluations and the planning/approval process needed to move the project forward. We are working with legal, engineering, environmental, and architectural professionals as we develop plans and architectural blueprints for the new shelter.
About the Cause of the Fire
We’ve received many questions about what caused the fire. At this time, the cause still remains under investigation. We asked for an update and were told that the furnace appears to be the ignition source, but due to the severity of the damage, it may not be possible to determine exactly what happened. The next step described to us is a lab examination of collected evidence.
This is all the information we have right now, and we want to be careful not to speculate or share unverified details. We will continue to update you as additional confirmed information becomes available.
Thank You
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support—your encouragement, volunteer efforts, donations, and belief in our mission have helped carry us through this challenging time. Our Board and Trustees have been working hard to keep progress moving, and we remain committed to keeping our supporters, volunteers, adopters, and community informed.

Thank you all for standing with OSCAR.

Cassie Kowalchuk
Founder

🧡

06/04/2026

ADOPT BOOTES!!!!!!

ADOPTABLE PUPPY: BOOTES
HOPATCONG, NJ

Do you need both a new best friend and a source of newfound inspiration?? If so, Bootes is your girl. Bootes is packed with personality and classic puppy chaos. She loves playtime, wrestling with her siblings, exploring new things, and somehow turning literally anything into a toy. She’s curious, fearless, happy, and always ready for her next adventure.

Her favorite hobby, though, is being with her people. Bootes is basically your tiny four-legged shadow and loves following you everywhere, to make sure you never do anything alone again, of course. Whether she’s zooming around the yard or passed out beside you after a long day of causing trouble, she just wants to be near her person.

Bootes also has a unique little foot deformity (which inspired her name!) where some of the bones in her toes didn’t fully form, making her toes a bit floppy. The skin is completely intact, and after checking her out, the vet recommended leaving it alone since it doesn’t bother her at all. Honestly, Bootes didn’t get the memo that she’s supposed to be different and she runs, climbs, wrestles, and leads the zoomies like she’s training for the Puppy Olympics.

She honestly has an amazing personality: outgoing, confident, affectionate, and incredibly lovable. Her confidence is truly inspiring and she’s the kind of puppy who instantly makes people smile because she’s always doing something adorable, goofy, or mildly suspicious. Bootes brings nonstop happiness and entertainment wherever she goes and is looking for her new best friend and someone she can follow around forever and officially claim as her human. So, what do you think? Will you be the one to love this unique girl forever??

Bio:
https://www.oscaranimalrescue.com/animals/bootes-213592693

06/04/2026

🐾✨ Come check out our new website! ✨🐾

We are so excited to share this next step forward for OSCAR.

A huge thank you to the kind individual who helped make this possible. While they prefer to remain behind the scenes, we are incredibly grateful for their support.

One more step forward. 🧡

O.S.C.A.R. is a no-kill dog rescue in Sparta, NJ. Browse adoptable dogs, apply to foster, volunteer, or donate to help save lives.

06/01/2026

📅 June is going to be a busy one!

Adoption events ✔️
Fundraisers ✔️
Puppy kisses ✔️
Amazing supporters ✔️

Check out where you can find OSCAR this month and come say hello! Every event helps us continue our mission and rebuild for the future. 🧡🐾

05/31/2026

What do you get when you mix baseball, rescue dogs, and an amazing community?

One unforgettable night! ⚾🐾🧡

A huge thank you to Sussex County Miners, Skylands Stadium, and Veterinary Center of Hardyston for stepping up to the plate for OSCAR. From the first pitch to the final inning, the love and support were felt everywhere.

To our incredible OSCAR family—you showed up, cheered loud, shared smiles, and reminded us once again why this community is so special.

It’s nights like these that bring people together, create lasting memories, and show just how powerful a community can be when it rallies around a cause it believes in.

Thank you for helping us hit this one out of the park! ⚾🐾 Sussex County Miners Veterinary Center of Hardyston 🧡🐾⚾️

05/30/2026

Watch the first pitch at Sussex County Miners , by our volunteer who helped save the dogs from our shelter fire

05/30/2026

Come visit OSCAR our rescue dog mascot & Herbie of the Sussex County Miners ⚾️🐾
One of our volunteers who rescued dogs from the shelter fire will be throwing out the first pitch!! ⚾️🧡🐾

05/29/2026

ADOPT ME!! ADOPT ME!!!!

ADOPTABLE PUPPY: RUTHIE ANN
HOPATCONG, NJ

Ruthie Ann lived most of her life tied to a chain in the yard. This sweet pup is now just learning what it's like to live inside with a family, go out to play and then come in for cuddles. She is friendly, playful and good with other dogs. We do not know what she thinks of cats. Ruthie Ann is about 9 months old and 28 pounds.

Bio:
https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/48162100-sparta-new-jersey-border-collie-mix

05/29/2026

If cute puppies & dogs make your day a little brighter, come see us at Sparta Day tomorrow!🧡🐾

Stop by our OSCAR table from 11 AM – 5 PM and meet some of our amazing adoptable dogs and puppies, who will be visiting from 12 PM – 2 PM.

📍 Station Park
100 Station Rd, Sparta, NJ
📅 Saturday, May 30

Whether you’re looking to adopt, learn more about our rescue, or just get some puppy kisses, we’d love to see you!
🐶🐾🧡

05/29/2026

WELCOME TO OSCAR!!!!💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷

ADOPTABLE PUPPY: MASSEY
HOPATCONG, NJ

Meet Massey. This adorable girl was being given away free at a Tractor Supply parking lot and hence her name (after Massey Ferguson a tractor brand). Little Miss Massey is a typical loveable puppy - friendly, playful and huggable. She loves her toys and her treats. Massey is good with people and other dogs. We do not know what she thinks about cats. Massey is about 3-4 months old and 15 pounds.

Bio:
https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/48162099-sparta-new-jersey-border-collie-feist-mix