Hollywood star provides new hope for small hounds in Utah

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SALT LAKE CITY -- Puppies and small dogs abandoned in California now have a new chance at life in Utah, thanks to the work of several rescue operations. The dogs would otherwise be put to sleep.

20-30 dogs are transported from Southern California to Utah every two weeks. - Humane Society of Utah

Television and film star Katherine Heigl works with the Humane Society of Utah and L.A. Best Friends to save Chihuahuas and other small dogs in the Los Angeles area. The star of "Grey's Anatomy" established a foundation that pays the cost to rescue the dogs and transport them to Utah. As a result of her work, Interstate 15 has become the highway of hope for small dogs and puppies.

Every two weeks, rescue coordinator Jessica Almeida heads down the highway to St. George for the Humane Society of Utah. There she is met by rescuers from L.A. Best Friends who gather 30 four-legged refugees from Southern California shelters.

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation was founded by actress Katherine Heigl and her mother Nancy in memory of their brother and son, Jason, who was killed in a car accident in 1986 when he was fifteen years old. The focus of the Foundation is to increase awareness of inhumane treatment of animals, support non-proﬁt rescue efforts, assist homeless shelter animals with rescue and medical treatment, fund and encourage free spay/neuter clinics, place rescue dogs and cats in loving homes, and educate the public about the horrors of puppy mills and dog fighting.

"We first transported 11 dogs in April of 2008, and the dogs were adopted almost immediately," Almeida said. More than 60,000 dogs are euthanized in the Los Angeles area every year. At the Humane Society of Utah, there's a waiting list for small dogs.

"It's a really powerful experience when you're heading back up to the shelter with 20 or 30 dogs who get a new lease on life," Almeida said.

The Jason Heigl Foundation pays the cost to rescue the dogs. That foundation honors brother of Heigl's.

"Jason passed away in a car accident at the age of 15, and he was a huge animal lover. So, they created the foundation in his honor and memory to serve homeless animals throughout the world," explained Jessica Clive, who works with the foundation.

Thirty small dogs and puppies arrived at the Humane Society of Utah at 4242 S. 300 West just this week. Since the program started, they've rescued nearly 2,000 little dogs. By offering adoptable small dogs, the Humane Society reduces the number of dogs purchased from pet stores and classifieds and puts a dent in the demand from puppy mills.

Heigl's hounds of hope led to a happy ending for Amanda Robinson and her new best friend, Frodo. She recently went home with her new pup.

"I wasn't actually looking for a dog, but his little face; he got me," Robinson said.

So far, the Humane Society has not had to euthanize any of the dogs it has brought in from California.

E-mail: jboal@ksl.com