Private Jet Owner Flies 15 Rescued Dogs To New Jersey

By Kim Tran

Fifteen puppies rescued by a Berkeley Heights-based dog rescue touched ground on Sunday around 5 p.m. at Morristown Municipal Airport.

Dirk van der Sterre, owner/manager of FTC FBO at Morristown Airport, knew that he and his wife, Jill, would be flying their jet from Florida back to New Jersey on Sunday, so they got in touch with a non-profit, Home for Good Dog Rescue, and offered to stop in Georgia to help transport a group of rescued puppies and dogs.

Home for Good Dog Rescue is a 100 percent foster-based rescue group based in Berkeley Heights.

In June, three 16-year-old junior ambassadors went to Georgia and they, along with Home for Good Dog Rescue's help, saved about 100 puppies and dogs from euthanasia. The van der Sterres' jet transport carried 15 of those 100 dogs.

Check New Providence-Berkeley Heights Patch this Monday for our story about the junior ambassadors' trip to Georgia.

“Thanks to Home for Good Dog Rescue, Dirk and Jill van der Sterre, FTC FBO at Morristown Airport and Majestic Jet in Florida for donating toward the flight costs, these dogs were given their second chance at life,” according to a news release. “The rest of the dogs saved on HFGDR’s trip are scheduled to come to New Jersey in the coming weeks.”

This relationship between van der Sterre and Home for Good Dog Rescue began on May 16 when he watched an airplane transport come in to his airport. That day he met and formed a relationship with volunteers as well as the pilots who work through a nonprofit group called Pilots N Paws. 

Since the nonprofit started in August 2010, Home for Good Dog Rescue has placed about 2,000 dogs into their forever homes. Visit www.Homeforgooddogs.org to find out more.

If you’re looking to adopt, fill out an adoption application on their website or stop by at one of their upcoming adoption events:

• Saturday, July 13 at the Livingston Mall, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 20 at Petco in Raritan, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 27 at Pet Valu in Madison, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
• Sunday, July 28 at the Summit Farmer’s Market
• Saturday, August 3 at Pet Supplies Plus in Short Hills, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.