Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (April 1, 2026) – On this April Fool’s Day, rescuers at Helen Woodward Animal Center are trying to “be the very best that no one ever was” for their latest emergency intake. Last night, five orphan Pokemon arrived from the Center’s rescue partner in Pallet Town. The Pokemon, identified as a Purebred Squirtle, Gengar Blend, and most shocking of all, a family of Pikachu; will start their rehabilitation journey at the Center’s in-house Pokemon Center. The public will be notified when they’ve completed their recovery and are ready to find their permanent Pokemon Parents.
The five rescues are believed to have come from a hoarding situation. Often, Pokemon enthusiasts try to “Catch em All,” without any regards to the happiness or safety of the Pokemon themselves.
“It was so heartbreaking when we first saw them,” Nurse Jenny Bueche said. “They had almost no PP left in them so they couldn’t make any moves. They were clearly neglected by their former trainer.”
Nurse Jenny believes the Squirtle is a little over 30 years old, and that the Pikachu family may have come from backyard breeders. Not much is known about the Gengar, likely because she’s a Ghost type.
“Cases like this always break your heart,” said Professor Schulz, the Center’s Adoptions Director. “People don’t think these Pokemon understand the power that’s inside. But they do.”
The five Pokemon are being held for medical observation for the time being. Once they’re cleared of any status conditions, they’ll go to foster homes where they can live in a low stress environment
until more kennel space opens up.
Helen Woodward Animal Center would like to remind the public that our kennels are currently full with real-life orphan pets who are in desperate need of loving families.
Not only will taking them home open up space for Pokemon in need, but it also provides a place for more real, at-risk pets to be saved nationwide.
“We know their courage will pull them through,” Professor Schulz said. “It’s like they say, you teach me and I teach you.”
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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: https://animalcenter.org.
