Orphaned pups from Romania arrive at Helen Woodward Animal Center to tell their "Rags to Riches" tale.

Orphaned puppies from Romania reached their destination at Helen Woodward Animal Center on Wednesday, May 17. Their journey, being recorded for a documentary entitled "Rags to Riches - A Dog's Life", followed a group of California animal advocates and US-based Romania Animal Rescue (RAR) to Galati, Romania to save dogs from the streets.

"Conditions for animals in Romania are unimaginable here in Southern California", says Eva Sippel, President of Burbank, California-based Schnuffie Productions. Sippel and Paul Carlin, director of "Rags to Riches - A Dog's Life", followed ten volunteers from the United States as they rescued puppies from the streets of Galati.

After the pups arrived at Helen Woodward Animal Center they were examined by the medical staff. They are reported to range from 5 weeks to 4 months of age. After their exams they settled in for a drink of water, a bowl of Iams puppy food, and some well deserved sleep in an isolation area.

Once the pups are altered and released by the HWAC medical staff, they will be made available for adoption within the next few weeks. At that time they will move from the isolation area into the public viewing kennels. Qualified families will complete adoption applications and interviews with Helen Woodward Animal Center adoption counselors. There will not be a waiting list. Adoptions will be first-come, first-served.

"If a family is considering pet adoption, we don't want them to wait for one of these pups," says HWAC spokesman John Van Zante. "Right now there are about 1,000 orphaned dogs and cats in San Diego animal shelters and pet rescues. If one of them is your new best friend, do you want it in your home tonight or sleeping behind bars? Visit your local animal shelter today."

Watch our website for updates on the Romania puppies!