Abandoned Wrentham Dog And Her 6 Puppies Find Homes After Help From Patriots Foundation

WRENTHAM, MA — A pregnant dog found abandoned at the Wrentham Dog Park earlier this year has been adopted and all six of her puppies have found homes, according to the New England Patriots.

The update marks a happy ending to a story that drew attention after Hazel was discovered alone and in poor condition.

According to Wrentham Police, Hazel, a Bully mix, was found during the early morning hours in late May after a passerby alerted authorities. Officials said she was severely underweight when she was rescued, and a veterinary examination later confirmed she was pregnant.

Police said the dog was initially fearful of officers who responded to help.

"Hazel was scared when a kind stranger found her at the park during the wee hours, defensive and growling when officers came to rescue her, likely believing another human had come to hurt, not help," the department said in a statement.

After being taken into the care of Wrentham Animal Control Officer Lexi Klenk, Hazel received veterinary treatment and a prenatal care plan. Her story quickly spread online, generating support from hundreds of people and drawing the attention of Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his family.

The Kraft family later visited Hazel and helped cover veterinary expenses associated with her care and the care of her puppies. The rescue effort was featured by the Patriots and the Patriots Foundation in a video released earlier this month.

The family's involvement came through the Patriots Foundation's Pawtriots initiative, a pet adoption and animal welfare program led by Kraft's wife, Dr. Dana Kraft. Launched in partnership with animal shelters across New England, the initiative promotes pet adoption, supports animal welfare organizations and helps connect shelter animals with prospective adopters. The program has also hosted adoption events at Gillette Stadium and Patriots training camp, helping dozens of dogs find homes.

Hazel eventually gave birth to six puppies.

In an update shared this week, the Patriots announced that Hazel and all six puppies have since been adopted.

"Thanks to this incredible community, Hazel has been adopted, and all of her puppies have found loving homes," the team said in a statement.

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The Patriots said they received numerous inquiries from people interested in adopting Hazel after learning about her story.

"While Hazel's family is complete, there are many other amazing dogs currently available through our shelter partners who are looking for their forever homes," the team said.

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