Dumping puppy draws warning from Mission Viejo officials – NBC Los Angeles

Ten newborn puppies were dumped outside a Mission Viejo animal care center, prompting city officials to remind the public that they can find homes for any unwanted pets and take advantage of their services.

The puppies were thrown from a vehicle around 2:30 a.m. on July 24 and abandoned in a puppy pool buried in some bushes near the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, according to city spokeswoman Kelly Tokarski.

A few hours later, a volunteer dog walker at the center spotted the 3-week-old puppies, and the canines were immediately brought to the shelter to be nursed back to health, Tokarski said.

The pups are with volunteer foster families, she added. It was “miraculous” that the cubs stayed together and weren’t attacked by a coyote overnight, Tokarski said.

Surveillance video showed the suspect dumping the dogs, and officials were able to find the man the next day, Tokarski said.

The puppies’ mother, Holly, was captured and reunited with her newborns, Tokarski said.

Holly is at the Animal Services Center, Tokarski said. All the dogs are healthy and will be available for adoption soon, she said. Any pet owner who wants to get rid of an animal has legal options, Tokarski said.

Even though the Animal Services Center is full, officials have relationships with many organizations that can take them in, she added.