Three police officers in New Jersey each have a new, four-legged sidekick after helping rescue — and becoming immediately charmed by — a litter of abandoned puppies.
Back in December 2024, the three Clark Police Department officers responded to a call from a Good Samaritan about puppies who had been abandoned in a five-gallon bucket, according to a news release from the Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS).
When they arrived, they found eight puppies, all just a couple of weeks old, cuddled together for warmth amid the frigid winter temperatures.
The animals were rushed to Associated Human Society-Newark for emergency veterinary evaluation and treatment. They were “cold, starving, severely dehydrated and infested with fleas,” according to the BFAS.
The puppies were then placed in foster care, which included around-the-clock feedings until they were able to eat on their own.
In the meantime, AHS-Newark staff members attempted to locate the dogs’ family. They posted the story on social media, did news interviews and subsequently raised $40,000 to help cover the puppies’ medical care.
“We did receive a few tips, but all were unsuccessful,” Danielle Mania, chief operating officer of AHS-Newark said, per the release.
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Once the puppies were stable and old enough, they were placed in different foster homes. But the three police officers could not stop thinking about the dogs and regularly checked in on them amid their recovery.
When three of the animals — now named Ozzy, Capri and Zeus — were ready for adoption, the officers immediately stepped up and each took one home. Now, the officers and their furry friends all share a special bond.
“The Clark PD has an adorable group chat to keep in touch with all of the adopters, and they frequently have play dates with each other,” Mania said. “This situation was really a testament as to how we work together as a team across the entire organization to save lives and find pets homes.”
The BFAS described the puppies’ adoptions as a “full-circle moment,” highlighting “the pet lifesaving work that police and animal control officers do in their communities.”
The animal welfare organization also noted that it serves as a reminder of the importance of microchipping pets so that they can more quickly and easily be reunited with their owners should they ever become lost.
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