WATCH: With One Dog Left for Adoption, Animal Rescue Group Forced to Shut Down in Morris PetSmart

It was just a month ago Eleventh Hour Rescue was notified its years-long relationship with PetSmart Charities was ending, and that the adoption center it occupied at the Mt. Olive PetSmart location would be closing.

With one dog left, Buddy Joe, volunteers with the organization closed the cages and doors for the last time at the location after four years.

Eleventh Hour, based in Rockaway, was given a letter in August from PetSmart Charities explaining the contract between the two would not be renewed, and the organization had 30 days to vacate the premises.

Fortunately for the rescue group, all its animals, save for Buddy Joe, were adopted prior to the closing Thursday night.

See related:

• Eleventh Hour Rescue, Animals Being Kicked Out of Morris County PetSmart
• St. Hubert’s Headed for PetSmart Store After Charity Ends Contract With Eleventh Hour

As first reported by Patch, Eleventh Hour was not made aware of why the contract was not being renewed aside from PetSmart undergoing “renovations.” Days after animal group went public with the information, Patch broke the news that St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter, based out of Madison, would be occupying the space once it was renovated. The changeover is expected to take place this fall.

In its Facebook post Thursday night, accompanied by the video, Eleventh Hour Rescue said:

“Today is a sad day indeed. We turned the lights off at the mount Olive petsmart adoption facility for the last time. We picked up the last leash, said our goodbyes, and walked the last dog out. We closed the last empty run, washed the last bowls, and locked up as we were flooded with memories of so many wagging tails, hugs from adopters, and happily ever afters.

With heavy hearts we are attempting to come to terms with the fact that we may not be able to save as many animals until we get back on our feet. We have cried, lost sleep, and prayed. BUT We still believe in the future and we still believe in ourselves. Our hearts are broken, but our spirits are not.”