A small black dog, looking at the camera

A Second Chance for Seven Puppies

April 04, 2023


In December of 2022, eighteen dogs made the long journey from a Southern California shelter to HSSW. They traveled nearly a day, over one thousand miles, crossing snowy mountain passes, to find loving homes right here in our community. One by one they were adopted, bringing joy to families just in time for the holidays.

But arriving at HSSW was only the beginning of the journey for one very special (and very pregnant) dog called Tabitha.

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Arriving at HSSW after midnight, Tabitha was tucked into a private room so she had lots of space. Our foster and medical teams examined her and she was set up with a big bed, lots of blankets, and healthy food. The next morning, this sweet mama-to-be was met by one of our most skilled foster volunteers – Tabitha would have a calm and quiet space with all the support she could need while she prepared to be a mom.

Ten days later, Tabitha gave birth to seven puppies, all boys. They were healthy and strong, and Tabitha was a perfect mother – and with seven rowdy boy pups, that’s not an easy job! She was patient and gentle with them and attentive to all their needs. And with the careful guidance and support of their foster family and our medical team, Tabitha and the puppies had all they needed to thrive in those critical first weeks.

Foster volunteers provide essential support for HSSW pets. For animals who need a quiet space, TLC, or those who struggle in the shelter, foster placement is truly lifesaving. Tabitha’s foster was there for her every day for nearly three months – from the day she arrived, she had a comfortable and welcoming space. And the puppies had round-the-clock care that simply isn’t possible in the shelter; they were healthy, safe, and loved by both Tabitha and their foster family.

It wasn’t long before the puppies were ready to be adopted. And within days - during a rare February snowstorm – the pups had all found their new homes. One of the pups, Summit, had stolen the heart of his foster and would be returning home as a newly adopted member of the family. And after some time to relax and recover from “mom duty,” Tabitha was also adopted by a loving family.

And just like that, our planned rescue of seventeen dogs had become twenty-four. Coming to us from a region with a high volume of animals and limited space and resources to care for them, these dogs found the new, loving homes they deserved. 

This rescue was only possible thanks to the support of donors like you. When you give today, your donation will amplify our lifesaving work, helping us reach even more pets in need - not only here in our community, but in communities around the country. Make a difference today.  

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