Abandoned dog and her 5 puppies rescued just in time
Found abandoned at a South Carolina car wash, mama Kiara and her five puppies got a second chance. They’re now available for adoption.
A couple in Georgia stepped in to save a dog and her five pups, who were on the list to be euthanized, after they were found abandoned at a local car wash.
“I work in rescue, so I have to look at hundreds of dogs on euthanasia lists every week and make very tough decisions,” Laurel Green told USA TODAY. “Something about mama and her babies really spoke to my husband, actually, which never happens.”
Green, who is based in Savannah, said she heard about the dog family on a Facebook rescue group.
“They were found all together, abandoned in a car wash,” she said. “The mother was muzzled, and the puppies were left in a bag.”
Local animal control picked up the family from a South Carolina car wash and transferred them to a local shelter, where they stayed for a week. But the shelter ran out of space, so the dogs were put on the list to be euthanized.
The Greens took them in the same day.
“We haven’t had a mom and litter in over a year, but we just couldn’t say no to this one,” Green said. “I couldn’t get mom’s pouty face out of my head.”
Best foster
While the pups are estimated to be between 5 and 6 weeks old, their mother, Kiara, is assumed to be between 2 and 4 years old. The pups’ breed, however, is not yet known. DNA tests for all six have been sent with results expected in a few weeks.
Despite the ordeal and trauma, Green said Kiara is “one of [the best], if not the best, fosters we’ve ever had.” She and her husband have “personally fostered over 60 dogs in the last two years.”
“She came to us fully house trained, potty trained, and definitely has known love at some point in her life,” Green said. “She is a true Velcro dog − whatever we are doing, she’s there beside us.”
‘Silly boys’
The pups, meanwhile, have very “distinct personalities” and all are “silly boys.”
“The five puppies left with her were all male,” Green said. “It could be a coincidence, but we actually pretty frequently see breeders toss male puppies and keep females to use in the breeding practice, so I’m not convinced that didn’t happen here.”
The Greens decided to name the litter after characters from “The Lion King.” Right before these pups, they fostered a pig named Pumba, who died of epilepsy and repeated severe seizures, and they wanted to honor his memory.
The craziest in the litter is Zazu, who is an “ankle biter” and never wants to stay in his pen. Ed is the most talkative, “rumbling and growling” when held, while Simba is the cuddliest. Timon is “well-rounded, confident, and curious,” and Max is “sweet, confident, and also very cuddly.”
“All of the boys will make wonderful additions to the families they join,” Green said.
The pups and their mama will soon be up for adoption, according to Green. Those interested can submit their applications through Miami-based non-profit SGT Canines’ website.
Green said fostering the pup family has been a blessing for her.
“I was really distraught after our last foster unexpectedly passed away, and this family brings joy to my life and home every day,” Green said. “They didn’t replace what we lost, but they do ease the pain. They’re a light to me, and I’m so grateful I get to love them.”
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
