About 3.1 million dogs come to community animal shelters each year, most of them surrenders and rescues. These dogs are often found in poor conditions and suffer from diseases, malnutrition and skin diseases from unsanitary conditions and lack of grooming, resulting in excessively matted coats (impenetrable clumps of fur or hair that can cause serious health problems if left untreated).
Groomers often turn these dogs away because of the difficulty and time required to help the pet. But NJ Dog Barbers in South Amboy welcomes all dogs with open arms, from matted rescues to aggressive dogs. Before the salon’s opening in 2022, Revella also spent time at shelters helping dozens of dogs and cats.
“My one passion is to save every animal I can,” owner John Revella told NJ Advance Media. “When I see these rescues that are looking for groomers to help or aggressive dogs that have been dumped at a lot of grooming salons, I want to be that person that works with them, that builds that bond and has someone that they can trust. “
During NJ Advance Media’s recent visit to the salon, Revella was working with Homer, a five-year-old Wheaten Terrier surrendered to Peyton’s Place Animal Rescue in South Jersey. Danielle Marchetti, director of the rescue and currently raising Homer, said the dog she surrendered from a breeder used Homer to raise puppies.
“A lot of dogs in Homer’s situation don’t make it to this point. When they’re done, they have other outcomes,” said Marchetti. “We’re not taking advantage of these breeders or talking negatively about them, that’s all we can do is there to help at the end of the road.”
Homer entered the salon slowly and anxiously — he was led inside, too afraid to walk. Revella is patient and gentle with Homer for the duration of the 90-minute cut. For matted dogs, Revella says the best technique is to move and work very slowly. The same goes for aggressive dogs and being ready to respond quickly based on their needs.
“All these years, I’ve seen it all,” Revella said. “I have cases where dogs try to tear my face or try to get away from me because they don’t trust any human touch. I love working on these cases because I want them to feel comfortable and have a someone they can count on to help them get to where they need to be.”
As Revella concludes with Homer, the difference in the dog’s appearance is night and day. The light reflected again in his brown eyes and his loose coat was long gone. He left more relaxed and, in this reporter’s opinion, looking very handsome, showing off his new black tie collar.
Revella noticed how foster dogs like Homer increase their chances of being adopted.
“I helped that dog (Homer) look completely different to the point where everybody notices him now,” Revella said. “I want to keep growing my own business so I can go to different places and help these dogs get settled and find their forever homes.”
While NJ Dog Barbers offers regular grooming services to all dogs, Revella works for free when grooming dogs from shelters and rescues, such as Edison Municipal Animal Shelter, Woodbridge Animal Shelter and Sammy’s Hope in Sayreville.
“People are in this industry to make money and sometimes, it’s not worth it. I’m not looking at the dollar signs for this,” Revella said.
NJ Dog Barbers is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5:30 pm, but Revella still works with many of her rescue and shelter clients on her days off.
Homer is currently looking for a foster home and is also available for adoption. Those looking for dogs like Homer can fill out an application on the Peyton’s Place Animal Rescue website.
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Lauren Musni can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Laurengmusni. Search NJ.com on Facebook.
