Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (August 5, 2022) – It’s just the start of a bright new beginning for beagles recently-rescued by Helen Woodward Animal Center. On Thursday, the first two of 43 beagles who made their way from a lab-testing breeding facility in Virginia to San Diego, California found their ideal forever families. With the help of loving foster homes and thoughtful staff, the sweet hounds were fully prepared to meet their carefully-selected match.
Being that it is their first few weeks of life outside of constant confinement, Center staff members knew these dogs would need sensitive care and paid special attention to each of their unique needs. After receiving thorough medical inspections, vaccination updates, thorough dentals, microchips and spay/neuter surgeries, adoption appointments were scheduled in advance so as to not overwhelm the healing hounds, and the first took place on Thursday in the Center’s play yard.
The first meet and greet was between beagle Leicester and Gayle Fisher. The curious Leicester was busy exploring the yard when Fisher explained that she planned to call her “Priya.” That’s when her ears perked up and she walked over to be petted by her new mom – as if she already recognized her new name which Fisher explained means “dear beloved.” For Fisher and Priya, the decision was clear.
“I just really want her to feel loved and safe. I want her to not be in fear or know neglect anymore,” said Fisher, “Thank you to everybody involved who took them from the breeding facility in Virginia and the transporters and the foster family and everybody here at Helen Woodward. You guys are so amazing. She’s so calm and so loving and I know we’re going to have a wonderful life.”
Cambridge – newly named Jersey, and Leicester – newly named Priya, meeting their paw-rents at Helen Woodward Animal Center for the first time.
After that, the Novom family was scheduled to meet beagle Cambridge. Formerly and lovingly referred to as Cheddar by her foster family, this particularly gentle dog did well in a home with other dogs, and was happy to meet the Novom’s current companion and Center alum, Cookie. The whole family hit it off, and just like that, Cambridge became Jersey and Cookie’s new sister!
“It’s an honor. We are proud to be able to do it and support all of them. They deserve a lot more than they’ve gotten,” Antony and Aimee Novom explained, “For anyone who is worried about their temperament, she is the sweetest thing in the world. She’s perfect. We will work with her for the rest of our lives and the rest of her life.”
41 more deserving beagles are recovering from or waiting to receive their spay or neuter surgeries and dentals while they continue to get attentive care from foster families. To apply to adopt one of these precious pups, go to animalcenter.org/AdoptABeagle, or you can donate towards their care by going to animalcenter.org/beaglerescue. To learn more and to see all the animals eagerly awaiting their forever families at the Center, visit animalcenter.org.