A veterinarian who was one of the first women to graduate from Cornell started this rescue on her own farm. That was 1941.
The dogs and cats have been getting second chances ever since.
Her dream of a real shelter building didn’t come true while she was alive. Still, she left her farm to the cause.
Decades later, her mission moved into a modern home that can hold about 100 animals at once.
I love that no animal here gets a deadline. Pets stay as long as they need until the right family shows up.
Seniors, medical cases and shy surrenders all get a fair shot.
I believe New Jersey has plenty of places worth a day trip. Few of them end with a new best friend riding home in the back seat.
Ready to meet the place behind all those happy endings?
A Central Jersey Refuge Where Second Chances Come Standard
Some shelters feel like waiting rooms. SAVE – A Friend to Homeless Animals feels more like a launch pad for brand-new family members.
The shelter sits in Skillman, a quiet corner of Somerset County in New Jersey. It cares for both dogs and cats, and every one of them is waiting for a forever home.
Its mission is simple to say and hard to do. Rescue animals, heal them, and match them with families who will love them for keeps.
The building can house roughly 100 animals at a time. That breaks down to about 75 cats and 25 dogs, so cat lovers definitely won’t feel left out.
Every animal gets medical care and attention before adoption. The goal is a pet that’s healthy, settled and ready to start a new chapter.
The shelter also holds a 4.5-star rating across more than 270 Google reviews. That’s a lot of happy tails for one small corner of the state.
So what makes this place tick? The story starts long before the current building, back on a Princeton farm more than 80 years ago.
The Trailblazing Vet Who Started It All in 1941
Dr. Cornelia Jaynes was a pioneer before the word was trendy. She was one of the first female veterinarians to graduate from Cornell University.
In 1941, she teamed up with Emily Myric to launch something new. They called it the Small Animal Veterinary Endowment, or SAVE for short.
The work began right on her Princeton farm. Stray animals found rescue there, along with neutering services that helped control the homeless pet population.
That was a bold move for the 1940s. Pet care looked very different back then, and organized rescue was far from common.
Dr. Jaynes gave her life to animal welfare. Her focus stayed on the strays that nobody else seemed to want.
I can’t imagine how many dogs and cats she personally helped. Every one of them got a fresh start because she refused to look away.
Her bigger dream was a dedicated shelter building. That dream would take decades to come true, but it never really went away.
Think of her as the founding grandmother of every adoption that happens here today. Her name deserves a little extra applause.
How a Farm Gift and a Merger Kept the Mission Growing
Plenty of founders leave behind a nice plaque. Dr. Jaynes left behind an entire farm.
After she passed in 1969, her property was bequeathed to SAVE. That gift helped the organization keep rescuing animals for years to come.
The group kept growing in the decades that followed. Volunteers, donors and staff carried her vision forward one stray at a time.
Then came a big shift in 2006. SAVE merged with another local group called Friends of Homeless Animals.
The combined team took on a fitting new name. It became SAVE – A Friend to Homeless Animals, the name it still uses today.
Merging two rescue groups isn’t just paperwork. It means pooling resources, sharing know-how and reaching more animals than either group could alone.
I like how the new name honors both sides of the story. The original SAVE stays front and center, and the friendship part feels exactly right.
Still, one piece was missing. The founder’s dream of a true shelter building had not happened yet, and the next chapter would finally fix that.
The Long-Awaited Skillman Home That Opened in 2015
December 2015 was a big month for New Jersey animal lovers. That’s when the shelter moved into its modern facility in Skillman.
More than 70 years after the founding, the dream finally had walls and a roof. Dr. Jaynes would surely have smiled at that.
The building was designed with the animals in mind. Its spaces are meant to help pets relax and start trusting people again.
Clean, bright and spacious are the words that keep coming up about it. Cleanliness and roomy design are two of the most mentioned themes in its Google feedback.
That matters more than you might expect. A stressed dog in a cramped, noisy room can hide its real personality.
A calmer setting may help shy pups show their goofy side. That gives families a truer picture of who they’re bringing home.
The facility holds about 75 cats and 25 dogs. Each one gets a safe spot to decompress while waiting for the right match.
Honestly, it’s a pretty great upgrade from a farm in the 1940s. The mission stayed the same, but the home got a serious glow-up.
No Countdown Clock for Any Dog or Cat Here
Space runs out. Time runs short.
At this shelter, neither one decides an animal’s future.
SAVE – A Friend to Homeless Animals follows a firm no-kill philosophy. Animals are never put down because of space or time limits.
That means an open-ended stay for every pet who can be rehabilitated. A dog can wait weeks or months until the right family arrives.
The shelter says it goes beyond traditional no-kill benchmark standards. It aims to save every dog and cat who can be helped.
Outside groups have noticed. Best Friends Animal Society recognized the shelter for achieving no-kill status in 2025.
That’s a meaningful badge in the rescue world. It shows the lifesaving work isn’t just a slogan on a wall.
I believe this changes how a visit feels. You’re not racing a deadline, so the focus stays on finding a great fit.
For a scared pup, that extra time can be everything. Slow progress is still progress, and nobody here is rushing the process.
Room for the Gray Muzzles and the Hard-Luck Cases
Puppies get adopted fast. The older, shyer and more complicated animals usually wait the longest.
That’s exactly where this shelter puts its energy. Its focus includes seniors, urgent medical cases and surrenders that often get turned away elsewhere.
Many animals arrive with complex medical or behavioral needs. Some need surgery, some need patience, and some need both.
Instead of passing them by, the team steps in. Each animal gets a real lifeline and a chance to flourish.
Local shelters have also leaned on SAVE when they were full. The organization has taken in dogs from busier city shelters in the area.
A quieter place with more one-on-one time can help a dog blossom. That’s a gift no stressed-out kennel can easily offer.
I love the idea of a senior dog getting a comfy retirement. Gray muzzles deserve couches too.
If your heart leans toward the underdog, this is your kind of place. You may find that the pet who needed the most help turns out to be the most grateful.
Vaccines, Microchips and a Clean Bill of Health Before Going Home
A good adoption starts long before the car ride home. It starts with a checkup.
Every animal at the shelter receives age-appropriate vaccinations. Each one is also spayed or neutered before heading to a new family.
Microchipping is part of the package too. If a pet ever slips out the door, that tiny chip can help bring it back.
Preventative treatments round out the list. That way, new owners start with a pet that’s already protected.
Medical and behavioral care work hand in hand here. A healthy body and a calmer mind make the transition easier for everyone.
The shelter runs six core programs. They are Rescue, Shelter, Health and Welfare, Spay/Neuter, Foster, and Adoption.
Spay and neuter work ties right back to Dr. Jaynes and the farm in 1941. Some traditions are worth keeping for 80-plus years.
For families, this takes a lot of worry off the table. You can focus on names, toys and bed placement instead of a long list of first vet visits.
Your Adoption Story Starts With an Online Application
No, you can’t just wander in and leave with a beagle. The process here is thoughtful on purpose.
Adoption begins with a detailed online application. It must be completed and approved before any in-person visit gets scheduled.
That might sound strict at first. It actually saves time for everyone, including the animals.
Once you’re approved, a staff member reaches out. Together you’ll set up an appointment to meet a potential new companion.
The shelter works by appointment only for approved adopters. That gives staff dedicated time to focus on each family.
It also keeps things calmer inside the building. Fewer surprise crowds can mean less stress for nervous pets.
The adoption process is the single most discussed topic in the shelter’s Google feedback. Clearly, people have feelings about getting it right.
Wait times can vary, especially during busy stretches. A little patience may help, and a polite follow-up never hurts.
My tip? Be honest about your home life on the form.
A high-energy dog in a low-energy house isn’t fair to anyone, and the team wants a match that lasts.
Bring the Whole Crew, Resident Dog Included
Here’s a rule that makes total sense. Everyone in the household has to show up for the meet-and-greet.
That includes kids, partners and roommates. It also includes any dogs already living in your home.
Why so many guests? Because a pet isn’t joining one person, it’s joining a whole household.
Watching your current dog meet a new one can reveal a lot. Some pairs click right away, while others need a different match.
Staff aim to create a harmonious fit for everyone involved. The focus stays on the right animal for the right family.
Pet matching is one of the most mentioned themes in the shelter’s Google feedback. That suggests the careful approach really shapes the experience.
The team also shares notes about each animal’s quirks and needs. Knowing those details up front can prevent surprises later.
Think of it like a first date with a chaperone. A little awkward, maybe, but it beats a mismatch that ends in heartbreak.
The payoff is huge when it works. A good match can mean years of shared walks and couch naps.
Golden Years Get Brighter With Seniors for Seniors
Older pets and older people often want the same things. A quiet house, a soft spot to rest and good company.
That idea powers the Seniors for Seniors program. Adoption fees are waived for adopters aged 65 and up who choose mature pets.
To qualify, the pet should be 8 years old or older. That’s the crowd that often gets overlooked in favor of kittens and puppies.
Senior pets can be wonderful companions. Many are already past the chewing-everything phase, which your furniture will appreciate.
The program helps these animals find comfort in their later years. It also brings warmth and routine to the humans who adopt them.
I can’t think of a sweeter match. Two calm souls sharing slow mornings and afternoon naps sounds pretty perfect.
Families might keep this program in mind for grandparents. A gentle older cat could make a lovely addition to a quiet household.
It’s one more way SAVE – A Friend to Homeless Animals tries to place every animal. Even the gray-whiskered ones get their turn in the spotlight.
Perks for Veterans and Training Help for Bigger Dogs
Two more programs show how creative this shelter can get. Both make adoption easier for specific families.
Pets for Patriots partners with a national organization. It connects Princeton-area veterans with deserving shelter animals.
That’s a meaningful way to say thank you. Veterans get a loyal companion, and a pet gets a devoted home.
Then there’s PATS, short for Post Adoption Training Scholarship. It’s offered for select medium and large breed dogs.
The program funds the first five sessions with a qualified trainer. That’s real support during the tricky early weeks at home.
Bigger dogs can sometimes be a harder sell. Training help may give hesitant families the confidence to say yes.
A well-trained dog is a happier dog. A happier dog usually means a happier household too.
I like that the shelter’s help doesn’t stop at the front door. Supporting families after adoption shows they truly care how the story ends.
Five lessons won’t create a perfect dog. They can, however, give everyone a strong start together.
Fostering and Volunteering Keep the Whole Thing Running
Not ready to adopt? Good news, you can still be part of the story.
The foster program provides temporary homes for animals that need extra healing. A home setting can help pets rest, recover and learn to trust.
Fostering also teaches the shelter a lot about each animal. How does a dog act on a couch versus in a kennel?
That info helps future matches.
Some fosters end up adopting their temporary guests. Rescue folks lovingly call that a foster fail, and it’s the best kind of failure.
Volunteers handle a wide range of jobs. Animal care, enrichment, events and admin tasks all need willing hands.
Every hour given helps animals get ready for adoption. Socialized dogs often shine brighter when families come to visit.
Donations matter too. They fund the six core programs and keep daily operations running smoothly.
Teens and adults looking for meaningful local service could find a great fit here. It’s a hands-on way to help New Jersey animals without signing up for a lifetime pet.
Hours, Directions and Smart Planning Before You Go
Planning ahead pays off here. A little prep makes the visit smoother for you and the animals.
You’ll find SAVE – A Friend to Homeless Animals at 1010 County Road 601, Skillman, NJ 08558. It’s an easy drive from Princeton and much of central New Jersey.
Lobby hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Sunday and Monday, the doors close earlier at 4 p.m.
Remember, animal meetings happen by appointment for approved adopters. Apply online first, then wait for staff to call and set a time.
Bring every household member to your appointment. If you have a dog at home, plan for it to come along too.
Adoption fees can change, so check with the shelter for current details. Seniors adopting older pets may qualify for waived fees through Seniors for Seniors.
Kids are welcome as part of the family visit. Meeting a future pet together can be a memory they keep for years.
Leave yourself some time. Good matches deserve a relaxed afternoon, not a rushed lunch break.
Eighty-Five Years of Happy Endings and Counting
In 2026, the shelter reaches its 85th anniversary. That’s a lot of wagging tails since a vet opened her farm to strays.
The thread from 1941 to today is easy to follow. Rescue the ones who need it, care for them well and find them the right family.
SAVE – A Friend to Homeless Animals has grown from a farm into a modern Skillman refuge. The heart behind it hasn’t changed a bit.
Every adopted pup represents a full circle. A scared, homeless animal becomes someone’s goofy, loyal family dog.
I believe that’s the kind of place New Jersey should brag about more. It’s quiet, local and doing big work without much fanfare.
Maybe you’re ready to adopt. Maybe you’d rather foster, volunteer or donate a few supplies.
Any of those choices helps keep Dr. Jaynes’s dream alive. And honestly, who doesn’t want to be part of an 85-year love story?
The next happy ending might already be waiting in a kennel. It just needs a family to walk through the door with an approved application.
