Abandoned Puppy “Goes Postal” in Rancho Santa Fe! 

Rancho Santa Fe, CA – A six-week-old, blue and white, Terrier-blend puppy abandoned in the Rancho Santa Fe Post Office is creating chaos at the nearby Helen Woodward Animal Center. One staff member says, “How can anyone expect us to work with this puppy sitting there…just waiting to fall asleep in our arms?” 

The so-called, “Postal Puppy” was apparently abandoned at the U.S. Postal Service office late Thursday night or early Friday morning. When the puppy was discovered in a box early Friday morning it was taken to Helen Woodward Animal Center and turned over to a member of the Maintenance staff.  

HWAC notified County Animal Services and was told there were no recent reports of lost or stolen pups. The puppy was released to HWAC where it remains in foster care.  

“This little blue and white pup may be one of the cutest puppies we’ve ever had…and that’s saying a lot,” says HWAC spokesman John Van Zante. “It’s mostly bluish-gray with white paws and stomach. And one of the first things we noticed is that, when you pick her up and hold her, this pup is probably going to fall asleep in your arms.”  

Van Zante says, “We would love to know how a six-week-old puppy in a box ended up abandoned in a post office. But we’ll probably never find out. All we can do is to make sure that the rest of his life is safe and secure.”  

The puppy is expected to remain in foster care with a Helen Woodward Animal Center staff member for about two weeks. Once it is 8-weeks-old it will be altered, vaccinated, microchipped, and made available for adoption.  

HWAC Adoption officials have not officially named the puppy. “That’s going to be a tough one,” says Van Zante. “I watched three staff members hold her and give her kisses while she slept in their arms. Each of them called her by a different name. We’re not worried about it. All that’s important is that she’s safe and has a bright future.”  

For more information about orphaned dogs and cats, puppies and kittens visit Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe, call858-756-4117.