Paola and Jepolina were found on 8 December 2025, blind, with the umbilical cord still attached, and totally alone. They had been dumped separately in near-freezing conditions, one in a rubbish bin at Diekirch station, the other in a hedge in Kirchberg. It quickly became clear that their abandonment could not be coincidence, and that the two were from the same litter.
Fortunately, rescuers were quick to respond, and the two puppies were able to survive their tragic start to life thanks to the help of hardworking animal rescue centres. Passersby who discovered the puppies phoned the police. Paola was found first, and brought to MäiVet veterinarian Kerstin Trögele, before she was taken to Casa Perro – Animal Rescue Asbl. Jepolina was discovered on the same day and reunited with her sister thanks to animal protection association Alpa.
Six weeks later, how are the puppies faring, and how are their rescuers? RTL accompanied Paola and Jepolina to their first official vet appointment, covering their harrowing experience in December and their subsquent development. It is still unclear exactly what led to their abandonment and who was responsible for dumping them.
In 2025, 414 cats and 249 dogs were abandoned in Luxembourg. Around 100 of each were given to shelters by their former owners, and a small percentage were seized by authorities. The majority, however, were dumped, much like Paola and Jepolina.
Abandoning or hurting animals is a violation of Luxembourg’s animal protection laws and can be punishable by fines up to 200,000 euros.
In this case, the two puppies were still damp when they were found, and the presence of their wet umbilical cords suggests they were a couple of hours old at most. As their mother could not be located, they have not benefited from their mother’s milk, like other litters. Paola in particular was at high risk of infection due to being found in a rubbish bin, but in spite of the puppies’ less-than-ideal beginnings, they are doing well.
When they are 12 weeks old, the puppies will be able to go to a new permanent home. Currently they are at Casa Perro, a Luxembourgish shelter that works alongside Spanish counterparts in Sevilla to give dogs a safe home. They have around 40 dogs at present, most of whom are Spanish greyhounds, which are not covered by animal protection laws in Spain. At Casa Perro, they have the chance to live calm, happy lives in Luxembourg.
