18 Puppies Found Roaming Rahway Neighborhood; Police Investigating Possible Abandonment
Rahway police are investigating the possible abandonment of 18 puppies found roaming a Jefferson Avenue neighborhood on June 20. Witnesses reported seeing a gray SUV in the area before the animals were discovered.
Two of the 18 puppies found roaming a Jefferson Avenue neighborhood in Rahway on June 20, 2026, now in the care of an animal shelter. (Photo courtesy of Common Sense for Animals, Broadway, NJ)
Editor’s note: The Central Jerseyan is free to read and supported by advertising. If you value this kind of local reporting and want to help sustain it, you can become a citizen supporter on Patreon. Your contribution helps fund continued coverage of local government, schools, and community issues.
Chris Howell | June 28, 2026 ***Last Updated: June 29, 4:45 PM****
Nearly 20 puppies found abandoned in Rahway were taken to Common Sense for Animals, a shelter in Broadway, New Jersey, near Franklin Township, according to Lauren Kot, a shelter employee.
Kot said the puppies are in much better condition than they were when they arrived. Some were underweight, others had skin and stomach issues.
“We don’t know what they were eating,” she said.
As of Monday afternoon, the puppies, pitbull mixes, are eating and healing well. And about half are already set up with foster parents.
If you are interested in adopting one of the remaining puppies, you can call CSA at 908-859-3060.
DON’T LET AN ALGORITHM DECIDE YOUR NEWS
Sign up for The Central Jerseyan Newsletter for independent local news and events every weekend.
According to a police report, the puppies were found roaming a Jefferson Avenue neighborhood Saturday morning, June 20. Concerned residents gathered the puppies and secured them inside a nearby home until Animal Control arrived and took custody. Witnesses reported seeing a gray SUV in the area shortly before the puppies were discovered, according to police.
A neighbor told The Central Jerseyan that the puppies appeared to be mixed pitbulls.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rahway Police Department at (732) 388-1900. Anonymous tips are welcome.