Rockaway Rescue Temporarily Closed Over Puppy's Parvo Diagnosis

ROCKAWAY, NJ — Eleventh Hour Rescue in Rockaway Townsquare Mall has been temporarily closed after a puppy was diagnosed with parvovirus, a health inspector for the township confirmed to Patch.

The closure comes after Michele Nardino adopted a puppy from the rescue, which was diagnosed with parvovirus, known as parvo, shortly after being brought home.

In addition to Nardino's puppy, three more dogs from the rescue were diagnosed and in isolation, Rockaway Township Health Officer Peter Tabbot said.

"Eleventh Hour Rescue cooperated fully and voluntarily removed all dogs from the facility, which is undergoing thorough disinfection. The adoption of dogs at this facility will not resume until Eleventh Hour Rescue gains approval for same from the Rockaway Township Division of Health," Tabbot said.

Tabbot said he could not speculate as to when the rescue would resume adoptions. Patch was unable to reach Eleventh Hour Rescue for more information.

Nardino's puppy, a German Shepherd / Cattle Dog mix named Harley, was diagnosed with parvo five days after she was taken home from the rescue.

"Their contract states that anything that happens after the adoption is the owner's expense. This was contracted prior to the adoption," Nardino said. She also told Patch the puppy was not vaccinated, like the paperwork claimed.

Nardino says she attempted to contact the rescue when Harley got sick, but was unable to reach them.

"I obtained this treatment for my dog not knowing if they would reimburse me or not. It was just the right thing to do. Waiting for them to respond would have result in death," Nardino said. Still, she says since the puppy was infected at the rescue, Eleventh Hour should have paid for all of Harley's medical expenses.

Eleventh Hour refused to pay for the first five days, saying Nardino should have contacted them first, Nardino said. After she shared her call log showing multiple unanswered calls, the rescue said they disagreed with the veterinarian's treatment plan, and wouldn't pay for that reason.

Only after Nardino contacted the Star Ledger did the group agree to pay $2,385 to the vet, sticking Nardino with over $1,100 in vet bills (she says her pet insurance hadn't kicked in yet).

On top of the bills, the experience left her family anxious about Harley's health.

"She is still eating a very restricted diet. Additionally we have to be extremely careful not to expose her to any germs because her immune system is compromised. My daughter is still very worried," Nardino said. "We are concerned about having company over because we don’t want to spread any of Harley’s germs, and we don’t want anyone bringing a germ into our home."

Nardio cautions future adopters to take their time researching a rescue before adopting a pet.

"I would just caution people to read the fine print, look deeply into the dog’s records, question the dog’s background and prior vet treatments. Read the reviews of the organization first. Too often adopters are the ones being scrutinized by the rescue group prior to the adoption," she told Patch.

Despite the heartache and the bills, Nardino doesn't regret the experience that brought her family Harley.

"We love her so much. She has made us all so happy. She has brought so much joy into our home," Nardino told Patch. "We can’t wait to get home everyday and see her."

Image via Michele Nardino, used with permission