Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2015) – Helen Woodward Animal Center has become a loving rest-stop on the journey of seven Pug puppies. The adorable breed, that has taken the world by storm, can be seen in artwork depicted on everything from aprons to notebooks, and pug-lovers often pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to take a real one home. Tragically, these particular Pug puppies seemingly had no value at all to an individual who tossed them into a dumpster behind a Taco Bell in Lemon Grove. Only hours old, the litter was rescued by a good Samaritan who brought them to the Center last December. TOMORROW, Friday, February 21st, the tiny pups are ready to meet the world and discover just how worthy they are of finding a loving home of their own.
On December 17th, 2024, Helen Woodward Animal Center went into emergency mode when a woman brought eight tiny puppies in through the front doors. She had been handed a bag by an unhoused individual who had found them when looking through a dumpster. Not sure what to do for the litter, she went straight to a veterinarian who showed her how to bottle feed the puppies, but the around-the-clock requirements for so many fragile babies seemed like more than she could handle. Within 30 minutes of arriving, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s foster department had bottle-feeding foster families ready to pick the puppies up, along with a string of Center veterinary visits lined-up for the many weeks ahead.
“On the first day we saw them, we had no idea what breed they were,” said Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoption Services Director Kendall Schulz. “We labeled them ‘terrier blends’ but they were so tiny and new, we knew that they could be just about anything. When any litter that young arrives seeking care, we know how fragile they are and our primary concern simply becomes doing everything we can to save their lives.”
The first few weeks were touch-and-go and, unfortunately, one puppy was too weakened by its tragic start and passed away. As the rest of the litter grew with love and constant care, however, the Center staff named them the Rainbow Puppies (ROYGBIV – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet) to signify the lucky circumstances that brought them to the Center. Center staff also began to notice something striking. As the puppies began to open their eyes and stretch their legs, they looked less and less like terriers. Each tiny face was distinctly that of a Pug.
Animal welfare workers worldwide are known to be strong proponents for the licensing and regulation of purebred animal breeders. Much of this advocacy stems from the many abandoned purebred pets that come through shelter doors, left homeless due to chronic illnesses, disabilities and deformities caused by unsanitary conditions and abusive breeding practices of unlicensed individuals. While there is no evidence to prove that the Rainbow puppies were thrown away by a backyard breeder, it is hard to imagine how else a group like this could be so thoughtlessly tossed away.
“When puppies become a business to unlicensed breeders, there is very little value placed on their lives,” said Schulz. “When they are viewed as a product instead of a living being, their survival can often come down to costs and profits. Helen Woodward Animal Center values every life. We are incredibly grateful for the time we have spent to save this sweet family.”
The seven rescued Pug puppies are ready to meet the public and find their forever homes. They will be available for adoption this Friday, February 21st when doors open at 10:00 a.m. Those who love the breed may want to line up early as adoptions are based on a first-come-first-served basis.
For more information on the Rainbow Puppies – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet, please contact the Adoptions Department at: 858-756-4117 ext. 1, visit www.animalcenter.org or stop by at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.
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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: www.animalcenter.org.
