Nature and Animals

Forever Promise — Forever Home. Remember Sofia and Skylar? By Wendy Derhak, Founder & Executive Director       In August of 2023, I introduced you to two little Maltipoo siblings that had just arrived at The Pet Cottage in the most heartbreaking of circumstances. Their person, Rita, a 78-year-old woman living alone, had fallen in her […]

We’re Home. A Sanctuary. A Promise. And the Deed to Prove It. BJ       On February 11, 2026, I held a piece of paper in my hands that I have visualized, worked toward, and told the story of for years. It was the deed to 17049 Thunder Road, the property that has been home to […]

When most students were sleeping in on Presidents’ Day weekend, a group of young people from Temple Judea’s religious school were up early and in the fields — and proud of it.       Temple Judea religious school students and families spent their day off from religious school gleaning tomatoes at a farm in Delray Beach, […]

Forever Guardianship, Forever Love: Three Hearts Healing Together When you walk into Gail’s home, it doesn’t take long to meet the real hosts of the house. Smokey may be watching cautiously from a distance, while Simba is already at your feet—curious, friendly, and hopeful you brought a snack. Together, these two handsome boys have filled […]

Chabad Hebrew School and Mishpacha hosted a Miles of Smiles Tu B’Shvat-themed program that truly lived up to its name. Participants of all ages came together to celebrate the Birthday of the Trees through hands-on activities that engaged the senses and the heart.       The Hebrew school students and children with special needs enjoyed creating […]

Love Without An Expiration Date       We often talk about love as something emotional—something we feel in a moment or during a season of life. At The Pet Cottage, we’ve learned something different. Love, at its most honest, is not fleeting. It doesn’t disappear when circumstances change. It doesn’t have an end date.       Here, […]

Rabbi Yaron Kapitulnik and his not-so-furry friends Temple Judea’s furry (and not-so-furry) friends joined together for a special Pet Shabbat evening — and they totally stole the show!       There’s something so special about the joy pets bring us. They keep us smiling, grounded, and remind us daily what unconditional love looks like. Seeing everyone’s […]

Tuffy, tongue out Securing Our Home, Strengthening Our Promise Tuffy arrived at The Pet Cottage in 2018, a feisty little chihuahua with a lion’s heart and a bond to his veteran dad that ran deep. When his human could no longer care for him, the decision to let Tuffy go was heartbreaking. His only request […]

In response to the tragic events of October 7, 2023, Temple Judea chose to sponsor TJ, a guide dog puppy being trained at the Israel Guide Dog Center, as a meaningful way to support healing and recovery in Israel.       TJ has now completed more than a year with his puppy raisers and returned to […]

Home For The Holidays: Our Circle Of Protection       Remember the heartbreak you felt when you lost a pet? The house got so quiet … and the quiet was so loud. No paws on the floor. No wagging tail waiting by the door. No heartbeat following you from room to room.       Now imagine if […]