The Associated Humane Societies is well-experienced in all types of animal rescue and this rescue was no different than the thousands we deal with on annual basis. It was a bitterly cold 10 degree day when the AHS was contacted by people who attempted to alert Newark Animal Control but were advised that the rescue would have to wait for another day.

Where Mom and her puppies made their home

The contact who reached out to us advised that a mother and pups were locked up in an abandoned house. Staffers were immediately dispatched to the house to liberate this family. The staff had to remove a door that led to the basement in order to get to them. They found a wet, rubble-strewn area with an area that Mom carved out for her little family. Being accustomed to this area, Mom immediately attempted to jump up and escape through a window that led to freedom but she was quickly restrained before she could flee.

Judging from the barricade to the stairs leading from the basement to the outside, did someone deliberately abandoned the mother and pups in the basement?  Or did she search for safety by getting into the basement via the open window?

What a harsh, desolate life she was forced to live and attempting to keep her pups safe and fed. But those worries have been left behind. We have named the family from a TV series called "Charmed" -- Mom is Piper and Paige and Phoebe are her daughters. Your donations help us in untimely emergencies and for humanitarian rescue efforts.

Piper, Page and Phoebe are now at the AHS Newark facility where they will "charm" you with their need for a lifetime of love. For more information, call the Society at 973-824-7080 or e-mail us and refer to File #'s 114583-F, 114584 and 114585. The Society is located at 124 Evergreen Ave. in Newark, 3 blocks from the Elizabeth line, near Rt. 1 and 9, and the NJ Turnpike.

Stairs leading to the barricaded basement.