Jake, a volunteer dog walker in California, was enjoying a peaceful stroll along the edge of a canyon when something unusual caught his ear.
What started as a calm outing quickly shifted when he heard strange, echoing noises coming from across the street. Curious, he crossed over and what he saw left him speechless. Inside a neglected, empty pool were ten small faces staring up at him.
Ten Puppies Left Behind Without A Trace
To Jake’s surprise, the sounds were coming from a group of tiny puppies, ten in total. As a volunteer with the City of Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, he knew exactly who to contact.
He immediately called the Center, which was located nearby. Staff arrived quickly and transported the puppies to safety.
Though their beginning had been rough, the puppies, estimated to be just three weeks old, were in good condition. But one thing was missing: their mother.
Determined to uncover what had happened, the Center launched an investigation into possible animal cruelty. They reviewed surveillance footage, and what they found was deeply unsettling.
The video revealed someone dumping all ten puppies from the back of a car.
“The incident happened at 2:30 am on July 24 when a suspect tossed the puppies out the back of his vehicle into the bushes next to the road leading to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. Hours later, an animal services volunteer dog walker found the 3-week-old puppies in a vinyl puppy pool,” the California Center wrote in their website post.
Fortunately, authorities were able to identify the suspect soon after. They also located the mother dog and brought her to the Center, where she was reunited with her puppies.
The emotional reunion made it clear just how much they had missed each other.
Thanks to the Mission Viejo Animal Services team, the mother, now named Holly, and her puppies were placed with an experienced foster caregiver.
Watching the little family play in a spacious yard instead of being confined to a vinyl pool was a moving sight. After all they had endured, they were finally safe and surrounded by care.
A New Chapter Begins For Holly And Her Pups
For now, Holly and her ten puppies, Chip, Caramel, Mint, Maple, Chocolate, Cookie Dough, Butterscotch, Cookies N Cream, Ripple, and Coffee, will remain in foster care until they’re ready for adoption.
The Center used this moment to remind the community about the importance of responsible pet care.
“This disturbing incident serves as a reminder that when residents are faced with the decision of whether or not to relinquish an animal, MVAS has options,” the Animal Center concluded.
This painful yet hopeful story stands as a powerful message: our pets rely on us, and they deserve compassion, dignity, and proper care, always.