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Our Mission

Our mission is to try to keep dogs out of shelters as well as rescue dogs that have found themselves in shelters. Our goal is to provide them the love, compassion, kindness, dignity and respect as well as medical care they need and deserve.

Our rescue honors Seven’s memory in the hope that we can help other dogs and any animal in need just like him find loving families.

We are strictly a not for profit organization. All donations go directly to those animals in our care.

As a foster based rescue, we do not have a shelter. Our dogs live in homes while waiting to be adopted. However, many of our dogs have come to us as strays, owner surrenders, or pulled from shelters. Most have not had a very happy start to life, so we aim to provide a better life for them.

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Our 7 Guiding Principles

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Memorial Page

Chewy Wishlist

Cans for Canines

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Seven was a neighborhood icon. He loved to ride the tractor and see his fur brothers and sisters. Rest in peace, Seven. ♥

About Us

In 2018 a group of animal lovers got together to form a special animal rescue.

Every year millions of pets are surrendered to animal shelters and ultimately euthanized. In NY state alone, thousands of dogs and cats are neglected, abandoned, homeless and left in shelters.

Seven was one of many pets abandoned by the only family he had ever known.

He had me at woof...
"From the moment I met Seven, I was in love. He has remained a big part of my heart, my soul, and my inspiration. He was my best buddy. Every time Seven’s name is mentioned my eyes light up and I get goose bumps."
Seven was left at a NYC Shelter in Manhattan at the age of 8 by the only family he had known since he was a tiny puppy. He had a broken back leg and was in pain. He was listed to be euthanized. He was pulled from the Shelter and diagnosed with osteosarcoma which is an aggressive bone cancer.
His leg was amputated and he sat in vet boarding, homeless, scared, and heartbroken.
We adopted Seven and brought him to our home in upstate NY. He was given 2 months to live after his second round of chemotherapy. Despite all odds, he flourished.
Seven loved to run and play and most of all he loved riding the tractor.
He was a neighborhood icon. Everyone waved to him when he would go by on his joy rides. He had fur brothers and sisters and loved being part of our family.
Just shy of 2 years from when we brought him home, Seven’s cancer came back and this time he lost his battle. He passed away February 25, 2018.
I started Seventh Heaven Rescue to honor Seven’s memory in the hope that we can help other dogs just like him find loving families.
Jana Reiss
Founder

Meet Our Team

Jana Dosztan-Reiss

Founder

Seventh Heaven Rescue President and Co-founder Jana Dosztan-Reiss has worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years, focusing for the last 10 years on the geriatric population. Her love for dogs led her to become a volunteer for a large New York City rescue and subsequently become the co-chair of the rescue’s New York City ACC team. Over the past five years she has helped countless dogs that were homeless and at risk of being euthanized to find happy loving homes. She has been the voice of many dogs in need, including her beloved dog Seven for whom this rescue is named. Jana lives in upstate New York with her husband Steve. Together they have carried out their shared passion of fostering and adopting countless dogs over the past 10 years. Average 30 hours per week worked with the rescue. Duties include making decisions about which dogs to rescue, managing the business of the rescue, managing the contingent of volunteers and ensuring critical functions are covered.

Steve Reiss

Treasurer and Logistics Manager

After a 20 year career as an engineer, Steve Reiss left the manufacturing industry to pursue his interest in working with animals. He currently works at a local veterinary hospital. Steve has fostered and helped countless dogs on their journeys while they waited for their forever homes. He gave them hope when there was none in sight. Steve lives with his wife Jana in upstate New York where together they pursue their shared passion of helping animals in need. Their family currently includes seven adopted dogs of various shapes and sizes. Steve serves as the Treasurer for Seventh Heaven Rescue. Average 20 hours per week worked with the rescue. Duties include managing the finances, managing compliance and managing logistics.

Liz Persons

Co-Adoption Coordinator

Liz spent 33 years in elementary education before retiring. Now she devotes her time and energy to a passion she has had for a long time - helping dogs. Since retiring, Liz has been involved with several rescue groups doing whatever was needed–from walking and transporting dogs to educating children about dogs–and now as Vice President and Foster Coordinator for Seventh Heaven Rescue. She has always had a dog in her life from when she was growing up to current times. As an adult, Liz and her family have had several rescue dogs. They began fostering dogs a few years ago and have had several dogs pass through their home on their way to their forever homes. There are currently four dogs living with Liz's family – Nala, Hattie, Heidi (7HR foster fail), and Panda (aka Nancy - 7HR foster fail). Liz’s passion for rescuing dogs has been passed to her grown children as they all have rescue dogs of their own. Liz lives in Central NY with her husband, Chris, one of their daughters, Emily, and their four dogs.

We would love to hear from you.

[email protected]

PO Box 15213
Syracuse, New York 13215

Adoption Event (Fairmount Animal Hospital)

Bark in the Park

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser (Home Team Pub)

Pop Event (Lock 1 Distilling Company)

Pop-up Event (Beak & Skiff / 1911 Tasting Room)