Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2025) – In the world of animal welfare, teamwork doesn’t just mean a winning game, it means saving lives. Helen Woodward Animal Center has been honored to team up with SPCA LA over the past weeks to make sure orphan animals’ lives are less impacted by the LA County Fires. Now, as fans gear up for the biggest weekend in sports, a litter of TEN orphan pups – rescued after the LA County Fires – are inviting puppy lovers to root for their fellow alum at this weekend’s Puppy Bowl TAILgate Party! Helen Woodward Animal Center is grateful to welcome these special rescues to McGregor’s Bar & Grill on Sunday, Feb. 9th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Members of the impressive team of Blue Heeler Cattledogs will be escorted by their fosters to the adorable event to meet-and-greet with puppy-fanatics as they watch the big game. The media is welcome to join us for their first celebration.
With cooler temps and even light rain filling recent forecasts, it may be easy to forget about the absolute devastation that tore across Los Angeles County just a short time ago. Throughout the challenging weeks, Helen Woodward Animal Center has worked closely with shelters in the area, making more than twelve trips north to provide supplies and veterinary assistance. Lost and injured animals by the hundreds (labeled “community animals”) were taken in by area shelters waiting to reunite them with their families, while pet owners dealt with catastrophic losses. The unfortunate outcome has been an absolute lack of available kennels to welcome orphan pets who, with no shelter space to turn to, risk facing euthanasia. SPCA LA asked for assistance. and on January 23rd, Helen Woodward Animal Center was honored to take in a 18 orphan pups in need, including this family of 11.
Arriving via Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Rescue RV, a beautiful Blue Heeler Cattledog, named Riley, made the trip with her ten puppies. The canines had been relinquished to SPCA LA in mid-January, when Riley gave birth to the surprisingly large family, and her owner didn’t feel equipped to care for them.
Riley, however, was a natural with her team of pups – instinctively coaching, guiding, nurturing and instilling the survival spirit of a champion into her tiny, furry players. Renamed, Riley RUFFeree, the mama dog and her puppies have been receiving treatment for parasites, all needed vaccines, loving care, and regular check-ups from the Center veterinarians and foster families. The team of puppies have been given names worthy of a pro-team including Bengal, Raven, Charger, Ram, Eagle, Buffalo Bill, Lion, Buccaneer, Chief, Steeler and Viking. The team of ALL-STAR puppies are excited to meet the public for the first time at the Center’s Puppy Bowl TAILgate Party.
(From left to right, meet Bengal, Buccaneer, Buffalo Bill, Charger and Chief!)
“Mama dogs are honestly amazing with their ability to take care of so many puppies and keep them cared for, nurtured and protected,” said Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoption Services Director Kendall Schulz. “When we see a family this big, it’s often because the number of weeks and amount of space they need to become healthy and independent puts too much strain on an overburdened shelter. We love being a part of these types of rescues. We know that opening our doors to them gives this family of eleven a chance at life and we know that there will be a lot of happy families when these puppies go available for adoption.”
(From left to right, meet Eagle, Lion, Raven, Steeler, Viking and Mama Riley Rufferee!)
The media is invited to join Helen Woodward Animal Center to meet members of the adorable team of pups at a meet-and-greet at the Puppy Bowl TAILgate Party at McGregor’s Bar & Grill on Sunday, February 9th between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. All puppies and mama will be available for adoption starting February 12th.
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center or to adopt, go online at https://animalcenter.org or call (858) 756-4117 x 313.
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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.
