Rescue Tales
News from The Meadows
If you haven’t been to The Meadows lately, the changes in just two months might surprise you.
Thanks to our generous donors and our tireless volunteers, we now have 10 air-conditioned cabins for our dogs, each of which has a fence and a tarp for shade so our dogs can play inside or outside until they are adopted. Plus, we have a separate cabin where volunteers can spend quiet time with their favorite puppies or special needs animals.
Happily, one of our wonderful sponsors has donated funds for a cat sanctuary, which is now underway. We hope to bring our cats there in the next few months
We are still looking for more sponsors for the cat sanctuary and the dog cabins. If you’re interested, just let us know!
Did You Know?
Looking for the perfect way to make a difference without fostering or adopting a dog? Consider a Doggy-Day-Date Out. Scan the QR Code to know more or visit our website for more details! https://new.shelterluv.com/form/other/JBAR/86418-doggy-day-date
You can spend anything from an hour to a whole day with one of our adoptable dogs—at your home, the beach, a park, or a café. And if you’d like to follow up with a Date with another dog, just let us know.
You’ll have a wonderful time and help socialize our dogs. You might even decide to foster or adopt one!
If you’d like to have a Date with one of our adorable pups, simply fill out an application on our website.
Spotlight on our Adoption Counselor: Meet Sue Long
For the animals sheltered at Justin Bartlett, Sue Long plays an essential role: she is a lifeline who pairs them with loving, forever homes.
As one of our Adoption Counselors, Sue is the heart of our program. She does everything from reviewing adoption applications and screening them for the perfect “fit” to arranging medical care when it’s needed and staying in touch to address post-adoption questions or concerns. If families need her in the middle of the night, Sue is there for them.
And last year alone, she did it all for more than 340 animals.
If you ask her, Sue will tell you she has always loved animals – particularly those in need. As a child, she secretly brought strays into her Connecticut home, and, when her husband’s job brought their family to south Florida, that passion led her to Justin Bartlett. After many years of volunteering and fostering, she finally stepped into the Adoption Counselor role.
Along the way, Sue has fostered and adopted numerous Justin Bartlett pets. She fostered Coco, a pregnant Doberman who delivered 12 puppies, all of whom were quickly adopted. But Coco remained, and Sue thought that was it – until Coco chose her. So Sue did what came naturally – and adopted Coco. Five years ago, she fostered and subsequently adopted Lucky, a three-legged pit bull who was surrendered to us. She remembers taking one look at his big brown eyes — and took him home. “We’re the lucky ones,” she insists.
Today, her goal to is get all our animals adopted – particularly older dogs. “Come out and take a chance at an older dog,” she says. “They are so sweet.”
With her unwavering kindness and remarkable ability to work with animals of all temperaments, Sue is the perfect matchmaker for our animals and their forever homes. She thrives on fostering lasting connections and loves it when adopters return for their next pet. Behind the scenes, she works tirelessly on behalf of our rescues – a true angel in disguise!
Volunteers are a HUGE Part of What Keeps us Moving Forward
Justin Bartlett is powered by dedicated volunteers who donate their time for the animals. Join that terrific group by walking dogs or helping at festivals, fundraisers and adoption events. Or you could provide transportation for our animals, help us develop The Meadows – or bring us your social media skills. Come alone or with friends….we welcome your participation!
Mark Your Calendar!
🎉🐾 SAVE THE DATES – JUSTIN BARTLETT ANIMAL RESCUE EVENTS 🐾🎉
Mark your calendars and be part of something truly special as we continue saving lives and building hope at The Meadows and beyond 💚
📅 April 18, 2026
Flag Raising Ceremony at The Meadows
A powerful and meaningful event honoring those who serve while celebrating new beginnings for our rescue.
📅 May 1, 2026
✨ Floating Sound Healing Event
Relax, recharge, and support the rescue during this peaceful and unique experience.
📅 November 1, 2026
🎶 Animal Aid – The Concert
A high-energy night of music, community, and compassion — all for the animals!
📅 November 1, 2026
🏍️ Poker Run
Ride for a cause and help us make an impact while enjoying an unforgettable day on the road.
Every event supports Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to saving lives every single day.
🌐 Go to our website events page to view all upcoming events:
https://justinbartlettanimalrescue.org/events/
Stay tuned for more details, flyers, and ways to get involved!