Duffel bag full of puppies confiscated at the border to be available for adoption!

Rancho Santa Fe, CA - Twenty-six puppies confiscated when a suspect attempted to smuggle them into the United States from Mexico in a duffel bag are expected to be available for adoption in the next few weeks. The 24 Poodle and 2 Chihuahua pups appeared to be in good health, in spite of their ordeal.

Authorities stopped a driver at a border checkpoint because his vehicle had an expired registration, according to information given to Helen Woodward Animal Center. When the car was moved to a secondary checkpoint the driver panicked, opened the bag, and began pulling out puppies.

"We received seven of the Poodle puppies," says Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoptions Manager LaBeth Thompson. "They're very small and they had fleas, but they seem no worse for wear. They're eating and playing. They're as cute as they can be!"

"This is a great example of why families should adopt their pets from local animal shelters and rescue groups," says Helen Woodward Animal Center President Mike Arms, "If this man had not been caught, these pups could have ended up in a pet store. Their families would not know that they were illegally smuggled into the U.S. or how they arrived here."

Arms says "We're told there is a high incidence of Parvovirus south of the U.S. border. If these pups were exposed in Mexico they could go into pet stores here, be sold to unsuspecting families and be in their new homes before the virus breaks. This is so unnecessary, especially when you consider how many orphaned pets are available for adoption and in need of forever homes here in San Diego County."

The puppies range in age from 3 to 6 weeks, which is considered too young to have been taken from their mothers. Helen Woodward Animal Center care providers plan to keep the pups in isolation for two weeks to assure that they have not been exposed to Parvovirus. If all goes according to plan the two female and 5 male Poodle pups will be altered and made available to adoption when they are 8 weeks old.

For more information about pets available for adoption visit Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe, call 858-756-4117.