Golden Knights help rescued Pomeranians find new homes
The Vegas Golden Knights and the Animal Foundation partnered to host Pucks for Paws, Monday, December 18 at City National Arena. The community event kicked off the adoption process for the Pomeranian dogs rescued by Las Vegas police and Clark County officials from the back of a U-Haul truck in Sandy Valley on November 30. Photo by: Yasmina Chavez
Published Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 | 10:14 a.m.
Updated Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 | 3:13 p.m.
Golden Knights players skated around the rink at City National Arena today to the cheers of a packed house, but this time the cheers weren’t for the players. They were for the tiny Pomeranian dogs they held in their arms.
The Golden Knights joined the Animal Foundation to host a Pucks for Paws event, which raised at least $18,800 for the foundation and helped find homes for some of the 164 dogs rescued last month from a box truck outside of Las Vegas.
Police and Clark County officials found dogs confined three to five in a crate and without food, water or proper ventilation in the truck, about 50 miles south of Las Vegas in Sandy Valley.
The Golden Knights today auctioned off five of the dogs, which were delivered to their new owners by players Nate Schmidt, Brayden McNabb, Brad Hunt, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Jonathan Marchessault.
“It’s awesome,” Marchessault said. “I think it’s a good cause, especially before Christmas. It can bring a lot of joy to a family for Christmas and New Year’s.”
Spaying or neutering, microchips, up-to-date vaccinations, a starter bag of food, 30 days of pet insurance and a voucher for a complimentary veterinary exam were included with the dogs and paid for by funds contributed by the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation.
“It’s great for these dogs to get a home, and we can raise some money while we’re doing it, so it’s great,” McNabb said.
The event helped 15 of the Pomeranians find a new home. The rest of the dogs will be up for adoption soon, officials said.