UPDATE: Humane Society Finds Home for Pink 'Mystery' Puppy

UPDATE, THURSDAY 6 P.M.:

The Peninsula Humane Society has found a "fantastic" home for Candy, the two-month-old Chihuahua found with a fractured leg and dyed pink in East Palo Alto earlier this month.

Humane Society director Scott Delucchi said the community's interest in Candy led to her finding a loving home.

"We were overwhelmed by the outpour of support for and interest in Candy, receiving more than 100 voicemail messages before her story aired on all stations or appeared in print media," Delucchi said in an e-mail Thursday evening, less than 12 hours after sending the initial news release about Candy.

"We’ve selected a home for her, a fantastic home. We apologize that we may not be able to return all calls. We trust that people will understand and -- even though they weren’t chosen – take some comfort in knowing Candy will have a wonderful, permanent home," Delucchi said.

The humane society is also reminding residents that there are more than 30 Chihuahuas awaiting adoption at the Center for Compassion in Burlingame.

"They aren’t two-month-old, dyed pink puppies, but we consider these 'regular' adoptions to be every bit as special as Candy’s adoption," Delucchi said. 

The humane society is extending its current adoption promotion and waiving the adoption fee for all Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes.

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ORIGINAL POST, THURSDAY 10:30 A.M.:

A female Chihuahua puppy with dyed pink fur was found by a Good Samaritan in East Palo Alto earlier this month, and the Peninsula Humane Society is now trying to find a home for the dog.

The puppy, named "Candy" by humane society staff, was found around 5 p.m. on Jan. 13, then transferred to the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA in San Mateo. The dog was lying in the street when found and was unable to use her back right leg. 

The puppy was found wearing no collar or ID tags and does not have a microchip. No owners have visited or contacted PHS/SPCA to report a missing dog matching this dog’s description.

X-rays show a hairline fracture of the right rear tibia, according to humane society staff.

A fracture of this kind in a dog her size could have occurred from jumping off a bed or couch or from someone stepping on her.

She is currently receiving pain medication and rest at PHS/SPCA. The injury will not require surgery or a cast at this time. 

Staff bathed the dog and the dye did not come off; it is unclear what was used to dye her or how quickly it will fade or possibly disappear entirely. 

“We don’t know if an owner is missing this dog and hoping to be reunited, but, if so, that would be our priority,” said PHS/SPCA spokesperson Scott Delucchi.

The shelter encourages any owners missing pets to visit the their intake facility at 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, to look at the stray animals on site and also file a Lost Animal report.

Since the dog’s legally-mandated holding expired and since no owner has come forward, PHS/SPCA is now looking to place the dog into foster care. PHS/SPCA will also consider potential adopters at this time, as long as they fully understand that the first few months will need to be quiet, recuperative ones, and that they also acknowledge the dog’s condition. 

Interested foster parents or adopters should call 650/340-7022, ext. 382.

Until PHS/SPCA can find a temporary foster home or permanent home through adoption, medical staff will continue to supervise Candy’s cage rest and provide pain medication.