Two Smuggled Poodle-mix puppies to be available for adoption Thursday

Rancho Santa Fe, CA - Two Poodle-mix puppies that survived an illegal trip from Mexico into the U.S. will be available for adoption on Thursday at 11:00 am at Helen Woodward Animal Center. The pups named "Honey Bear" and "Polar Bear" were among 26 that were confiscated when a suspect attempted to smuggle them illegally into the U.S. in duffel bags.

The 24 Poodle-mix and 2 Chihuahua pups were confiscated on March 12 when a driver was stopped at a border checkpoint. When the car was moved to a secondary checkpoint the driver panicked, opened two duffel bags, and began pulling out puppies.

"Sadly, five of the seven puppies we received have died," says HWAC spokesman John Van Zante. "We're focusing our attention on new beginnings for Honey Bear and Polar Bear and we're reminding the public that the only way to stop puppy smuggling is to stop buying puppies and supporting this illegal industry!"

"This is a perfect example of why it is so important for families to adopt their pets from their local animal shelters and rescue groups," says HWAC President Michael Arms. "If these pups had been sold here in the United States their families would have taken them home and fallen in love with them, only to see them die."

Arms says, "The key to ending puppy smuggling is very simple. If we don't buy...they won't breed. Don't support smugglers and puppy mills. Stop it NOW!"

HWAC Veterinarian Dr. Tricia Carter says the puppies ranged from 3 to 6 weeks when they arrived at the Center. Some didn't even have their teeth. The first two died of seizures and the third died of canine herpes. Carter says that all seven of the puppies that arrived at HWAC were too young to have been taken from their mothers.

The adoption fees for Honey Bear and Polar Bear are $225 each. The adoption fee includes up to date vaccinations, recent physical exams, microchip identification, and neuter surgery.

For more information about pets available for adoption visit the Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe, log on to www.animalcenter.org or call 858-756-4117.