When Ashlee Holland agreed to take a pregnant dog off a euthanasia list in 2017, she knew puppies were coming. She had no idea how many. Ava’s surprise litter turned one rescue into 19.
A Last Resort
Ava, a golden retriever and chow mix thought to be between two and four years old, was at a shelter in Missouri and on the list to be put down. Holland, of Blue Springs, adopted her through the rescue group Midwest Animal ResQ in Raytown, Missouri.
“She was on the euthanasia list. She had no other choice, no other hope,” Holland told local TV. Holland said that she felt she was Ava’s “last resort,” along with the rescue.
Hesitation, Then a Yes
Holland had just received a group of bottle-fed kittens and worried that a pregnant dog and soon-to-arrive puppies might be too much. In the end, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ava, so she said yes.
She knew Ava was expecting, but X-rays hadn’t shown how many puppies were inside. Ava’s belly was so round that no one could guess the size of the litter.
The Night of the Puppies
Less than two weeks after Ava came home, she went into labor on June 25. The first puppy arrived at 10:02 p.m., followed by four more in the next 57 minutes. Two more arrived over the next hour and a half, and Holland thought Ava was done. She cleaned up mom and puppies and went to bed.
By morning there were eight more puppies, and by the time Holland had gotten her kids ready for school, three more had arrived. The final count was 18 healthy puppies.
Puppies With Royal Names
Holland’s 9-year-old son named all of the puppies after members of the Kansas City Royals community, including manager Ned Yost, general manager Dayton Moore and Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil. Holland set up a Facebook page called “Ava and her 18 Royals” so people could follow the family and learn about adopting the puppies once they had been checked by a vet.
“I didn’t just save one life, I saved 19,” Holland said.
How Big Is 18?
Most dog litters have around five to eight puppies, so Ava’s 18 was well above average, though still short of the reported world record of 24, which belongs to a Neapolitan mastiff named Tia in 2004.
What Happens When Shelters Run Out of Space
Many shelters euthanize animals for lack of space, and pregnant dogs can be especially hard to place. A few ways to help:
- Adopt or foster. Compare foster programs and adopting a rescue dog.
- Spay and neuter. Look for low-cost spay and neuter clinics to reduce unplanned litters.
- Donate. A donation to your local shelter helps with food and vet care.
- Protect your pet. Pet insurance can help with puppy vet bills.
- Stock up for puppies. Compare puppy supplies, whelping boxes and puppy food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ava? Ava is a golden retriever and chow mix who was saved from a euthanasia list in Missouri in 2017 and gave birth to 18 puppies.
Who adopted her? Ashlee Holland of Blue Springs, Missouri, who adopted Ava through Midwest Animal ResQ.
Why couldn’t they predict how many puppies she’d have? X-rays hadn’t shown how many puppies Ava was carrying.
What are the puppies named after? Members of the Kansas City Royals community, chosen by Holland’s 9-year-old son.
Sources: AOL, WSVN, iHeartDogs.com, and Wamiz, all covering the June 2017 story of Ava, the rescued dog who gave birth to 18 puppies in Missouri, with reporting from FOX 4 Kansas City.
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