Orphaned puppies from Romania available for adoption Wednesday.

Pups the focus of "Rags to Riches - A Dog's Life" documentary.

Rancho Santa Fe, CA - Orphaned puppies from Romania that landed in San Diego on May 16 will become available for adoption this Wednesday morning at 11:00 am at Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe. Their journey is being recorded for a documentary entitled "Rags to Riches - A Dog's Life". The film will follow a group of California animal advocates and US-based Romania Animal Rescue (RAR) to Galati (guh-Lot'), Romania to save pups thrown in the trash and roaming the streets.

"Conditions for animals in Romania are hard for us to imagine", says Eva Sippel, President of Burbank-based Schnuffie Productions. Sippel and Paul Carlin, director of "Rags to Riches - A Dog's Life", followed ten U.S. volunteers as they rescued puppies from the streets of Galati.

Sippel says, "People won't consider having their pets altered. But, in their culture, it's acceptable to let unwanted pets run loose in the streets or, in some cases, throw them in dumpsters."

The nine (9) Romania Puppies range in age from 8 weeks to 6 months. They will grow into small to medium-sized dogs. Their adoption fees will range from $165 to $195.

The girls are: Mia, Suzy Q, Sara, and KJ (Katie Jane).

The boys are: Cornell, Max, Fred, Barney, and Billy Bob.

"We gave each pup a head-to-tail examination and they've all been altered," says HWAC spokesman John Van Zante. "Qualified families will complete adoption applications and interviews with Helen Woodward Animal Center adoption counselors."

"Families will not see signs in our kennels identifying the Romania Puppies," adds Van Zante. "We want them to adopt the dog or cat that touches their hearts...not the one they feel sorry for because of where it was born. And remember that 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, you want it in your home tonight...not sleeping behind bars. Visit your local animal shelter today. If you're not sure where the shelters are located, call us and we'll help."

For more information visit Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe, call 858-756-4117, or log on to www.animalcenter.org.

Media Note: Please be aware that this project is being shot by Schnuffie Productions with a goal of creating "Rags to Riches - A Dog's Life". Their work will result in a feature length documentary about the lives (and deaths) of homeless animals in Romania. They plan to release the movie in 2007.