Rescued from extreme hoarding with severe leg injury, now rehabilitated pup starts search for forever home
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2019) – With an everlasting enthusiastic pep in his step and lots of tail wags, a 7-month old Shepherd blend pup rescued from an extreme hoarding situation is on his way to finding a new forever home starting today at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Champion, rightly named after the lovable three-legged dog on the hit show “Parks and Recreation,” arrived at the Center in November after staff received an urgent call from a rescue partner in Arizona. The group had rescued Champion and 50 other animals from a hoarder’s home in northwestern Arizona. Champion, just 6 months old at the time, was barely receiving the nutrition and care he needed and walked with an exaggerated limp, unable to put weight on his front right leg. It was clear he would need further medical attention, so the rescue group placed a call to Helen Woodward Animal Center.
A transport to San Diego was quickly set up for Champion and other hoarded rescue animals to the Center. When medical staff examined Champion’s leg, they found it was severely broken in two places including his knee joint. The x-ray revealed his injury happened months ago and went untreated. It was so bad, arthritis was already settling in. Medical staff made the difficult decision to remove Champion’s leg, finally relieving him of his pain. They knew with time and rehabilitation, this playful pup would not even know it’s missing.
Center veterinarians called Champion a fighter during his three-hour surgery to remove his leg on Dec. 6. He began rehabilitation straight away at a loving foster home. There, he got star treatment while learning to do all the normal doggie things without one leg. His foster mom Rebekah reported, “his confidence is growing each day. He will do great with a family that can be around to show him lots of encouragement
, love and affection as these are truly his greatest desires.”
Receiving his final medical clearance from Center veterinarians today, Champion is officially available for adoption starting at noon! The adoption village is open from noon to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. For more information about adoptions at Helen Woodward Animal Center, visit animalcenter.org.
About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: www.animalcenter.org.