Bridgewater Pet Lover Launches New Cat Rescue Group

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Lifelong cat lover and Bridgewater resident Edie Hogan has given her life to rescuing cats in the Somerset County area and will continue to do so with her new cat rescue group called Bernie's Buddies.

Named after one of her fosters, Hogan launched the new rescue group because she saw other nearby shelters were having trouble taking in all of the rescues. Hogan wanted to help in her own way to foster and adopt as many cats as she can.

"I had Bernie for a year until the right person came along and adopted him. She sends me tons of pictures of how he is doing. And I thought how perfect it would be to name my rescue in his honor since he epitomizes what I believe in and what I do," said Hogan.

Bernie's mom, Becky Sanson, also jumped on board to help Hogan run the rescue's social media pages.

Hogan became a "cat mom" in 1997 and then began fostering at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter from 2009 to 2012 before joining Capic Cats. She recently left Capic to start her own venture.

Bernie's Buddies will cover Bridgewater, Raritan, Somerville and Branchburg.

"Our mission is to find stable, loving homes for cats and kittens and also give new pet parents the proper tools to raise them," said Hogan. "We are an all volunteer-based non-profit comprised of foster homes, with no paid employees. We run entirely off of donations."

Hogan's 501(c)3 status is pending and all donations received will go to vet bills and cat food for their fosters.

"It is all about the cats and their forever family," said Hogan.

To kick off her new rescue Hogan will be partnering with Barkley's Cat & Dog Supplies on Route 22 West in Branchburg to host twice-monthly adoption days.

Upcoming adoption days include May 15, May 22, June 5, and June 19 all from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on Bernie's Buddies or to make a donation email berniesbuddiescatrescue@gmail.com or mail Bernie's Buddies Cat Rescue P.O. Box 8054, Bridgewater NJ 08807 or call Hogan at 908-887-0709.

Follow Bernies Buddies on Facebook or Instagram.

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