‘Rudolph’ puppy escapes abuse to ‘Light the Way’ for orphaned pets

Rudolph

“Rudolph,” a tiny puppy that was burned and abused at a Visalia, Calif., camp ground, is now a shining light for orphaned pets this holiday season. Two intoxicated men were about to pierce the ears of the 5-month-old Chihuahua-mix puppy when the disabled ex-wife of one of the men contacted an animal rescue organization. The men used a cigarette to burn Rudolph before he was rescued. Now the wounds have healed and the pup is expected to become available for adoption this Friday at Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC).
“This began in a Visalia campground where a woman disabled by cerebral palsy lived in a travel trailer,” says HWAC spokesman John Van Zante. “She said that her ex-husband and one of his friends had been drinking heavily when they decided to pierce the puppy’s ears. When she tried to stop them, the men burned the puppy with a cigarette.”
HWAC Adoptions Manager LaBeth Thompson says that the woman who reported the incident allowed Love of Animals, a Visalia rescue group, to take Rudolph and five other dogs that were living at the travel trailer. “She could see that the outlook was dark for Rudolph and the other dogs. It must have been very hard for her to surrender them, but she has given them the gift of life and bright futures by letting them go.”
Thompson adds, “Many innocent pets are euthanized in Visalia because of overpopulation. We’re able to accept pets from Love of Animal a few times per year. In this case Rudolph was in the lead when we received 15 dogs and puppies that might have been euthanized if they had not come to Helen Woodward Animal Center.”
Van Zante says that the 5-pound Rudolph seems no worse for wear after his ordeal. “Dr. Patricia Carter reports that he passed his exams and he’s expected to become available for adoption this Friday morning at 11:00. His vaccinations are up-to-date, he’s been altered, and his microchip will help get him home if he strays…anywhere from San Diego to the North Pole.” Rudolph’s adoption fee is $300.
For more information about orphaned dogs and cats in need of loving families visit Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, call 858-756-4117, or log on to www.animalcenter.org.