The last of four purebred German shepherd puppies brought to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe from a backyard breeder in Los Angeles is available for adoption Friday.
The puppies, which arrived in September, all showed signs of neglect but three of them recovered quickly and were adopted. The fourth, Rolanda, struggled with various problems and will need an owner willing to provide medication and a special diet — probably for life.
“We are looking for a compassionate adopter who is willing to demonstrate true love to a dog that did nothing to deserve the struggles she is currently living with,” said Amy Barnes, adoption manager at the center.
“She is a wonderful puppy and we want her to get the happy ending her sisters experienced,” Barnes said. “Her illnesses may or may not go away but for now, the ideal family should be comfortable providing her daily medication and a special diet.”
She said Rolanda is otherwise loving and happy. The puppy has been diagnosed with coronavirus — for which the most common symptom is diarrhea, a Vitamin B deficiency and intestinal sensitivity. Those will require medications, the special diet and possibly vitamin injections, according to the center.
Officials with the center said the puppies were about four to six months old when a rescue organization in the area pulled them from deplorable conditions at the breeders’ residence.
More information about adopting Rolanda is available by calling the Adoptions Department at (858) 756-4117, ext. 1, going online at www.animalcenter.org, or stopping by the center at 6461 El Apajo Road.
— City News Service
