A Golden Retriever in bite quarantine gave birth to eight puppies last month at the Animal Hospital of Waynesville. Abandoned by her owner and remanded over to the Haywood County Animal Shelter, the future did not look bright for the Retriever or her new arrivals.

Fortunately, one of the hospital staff members placed a phone call to animal welfare advocates, explaining the situation and asking for her help. Nancy Bulluck, who is a volunteer with the Haywood Animal Welfare Association (HAWA) and cofounder of Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation (SARF), knew just the steps to take to make the save.

Bulluck contacted Animal Control Director Jean Hazzard to discuss the possibility of housing the mother and her charges until the pups were old enough to survive on their own. Hazzard made the necessary arrangements, providing safe isolation and keeping a watchful eye over the young puppies.

Meanwhile, Bulluck began placing phone calls and sending e-mails through her internet connections. Jayne Boswell of the Florence, South Carolina Humane Society spotted one of Bulluck’s online postings. Boswell wrote Bulluck, offering to place the pups in foster care.

Last week the puppies were old enough to make the trip south. HAWA volunteer and SARF board member Rosa Allomong transported one male and his seven sisters to Columbia, South Carolina where they were met by a volunteer from Boswell’s organization who took them the rest of the way. The puppies arrived safely in Florence. They are now in foster care awaiting new, permanent homes thanks to the fast-acting local animal advocacy network, the cooperation of Jean Hazzard and Animal Control, and dedicated volunteers like Bulluck, Allomong and Boswell.

The Haywood Animal Welfare Association (HAWA) is devoted to promoting a community in which animals are valued, properly cared for and provided with a safe place to live. Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation (SARF) is dedicated to ending euthanasia in Haywood County. To learn more about animal welfare advocacy and how you can make a difference, call HAWA at (828) 452-1329 or get information online at www.hawapets.com. To support the Sarge’s effort, visit www.sargeandfriends.org.