When Jake stepped out for a morning walk along a canyon road in Mission Viejo, California, he expected nothing more than peace and fresh air. As a volunteer dog walker with the local animal services center, he often enjoyed quiet time on the trail. However, that calm was broken on July 24 by a series of faint, high-pitched cries.
The sounds echoed from the other side of the road, drawing his attention to what looked like an old, discarded kiddie pool resting near the brush. When he walked closer to investigate, he froze. Ten tiny puppies, barely three weeks old, trembled inside the plastic pool. Alone, cold, and huddled together, they had been left to fend for themselves.
Left Behind with No Way to Survive
The puppies had no food, no water, and—most heartbreakingly—no sign of their mother. Jake didn’t hesitate. He called the City of Mission Viejo Animal Services Center just down the road. Officers arrived within minutes and moved quickly to secure the pups and transport them to the facility.
Even though the puppies were filthy and frightened, they were still in surprisingly good health. Their rescue came just in time. But the question remained: who left them there?
After settling the litter at the shelter, staff members reviewed nearby surveillance footage. What they saw next was hard to watch.
“At 2:30 a.m. on July 24, a suspect tossed the puppies out the back of his vehicle into the bushes next to the road leading to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center,” the shelter shared in a public post. “Hours later, an animal services volunteer dog walker found the 3-week-old puppies in a vinyl puppy pool.”
What Happened Next Changed Everything
The disturbing footage gave authorities enough information to act. Not long after, they located the suspect and found the mother dog still in his possession. She looked thin and anxious, clearly overwhelmed from being separated from her babies. Officers brought her to the shelter immediately.
At the shelter, staff reunited her with the puppies. The moment she entered the room, her tail began to wag. She rushed to her litter, and they instinctively moved toward her. The shelter named her Holly.
Thanks to Jake’s quick thinking and the shelter’s coordinated response, the little family was whole again.
A New Start for a Thrown-Away Family
After the reunion, Holly and her ten puppies—named Chip, Caramel, Mint, Maple, Chocolate, Cookie Dough, Butterscotch, Cookies N Cream, Ripple, and Coffee—moved into a foster home. Their foster caregiver had experience handling young litters, so she created a safe, quiet space for them to recover.
Soon, the transformation became clear. The puppies, now warm and well-fed, began to explore their surroundings with curiosity. Meanwhile, Holly relaxed into her role as a mother. Instead of trembling with fear, she leaned into gentle pets and nuzzled the hand of her foster caregiver.
Why This Story Matters
For now, Holly and her puppies will remain in foster care until the pups are old enough to be adopted. Applications have already started coming in from families eager to give them a home.
Even though their story ends on a hopeful note, the shelter wants the public to remember the bigger picture.
“This disturbing incident serves as a reminder that when residents are faced with the decision of whether or not to relinquish an animal, MVAS has options,” the Center wrote.
Rather than abandon animals, pet owners who are struggling should reach out for help. Shelters, rescues, and local organizations exist for a reason: to protect the animals who can’t speak for themselves.
These ten puppies didn’t have a voice that night—but they did have someone who listened.
