Beyonce staying at the Grace Foundation

Beyonce, the tiny pup that has inspired “awws” from people around the world will stay with the Grace Foundation in El Dorado Hills, serving as an ambassador for rescue dogs.

“After much consideration we have decided that Beyonce will not be going up for adoption at this (time),” states a press release issued by the Grace Foundation. “We feel that it would be wrong to adopt her out to be loved by just one family when there is an entire country in love with her and a cause that needs her help and support.”

Grace Foundation officials also said that because Beyonce was so small when she was born, only weighing about an ounce, possible future health problems could cause a hardship for adoptive parents. The organization has access to veterinarians and will ensure the puppy is ”well-loved and well-taken care of.”

“Beyonce’s siblings will be available to go out for adoption once they are over 8 weeks old and have been spayed/neutered,” Grace officials said, adding that this will not happen until after May. She has three brothers and a sister.

Since Beyonce’s story gained international attention the foundation has received more than 500 applications to adopt the puppy. Her mother, an 8-month-old Dachshund mix was found pregnant on the street and supposed to be euthanized before the Grace Foundation stepped in and saved her and the unborn pups. The young mother delivered in early March and the last puppy, Beyonce, needed CPR. She was so small she could fit into a spoon.

“We never could have predicted the amount of attention her story would receive or that she would become an international sensation,” according to the staff at Grace.

“In just two weeks this amazing little girl has put a face on the struggles that shelter dogs must face. Although some of them, like Beyonce and her family, are lucky enough to be rescued and find loving homes, millions more are euthanized every year,” the release states. “It is our hope that Beyonce will continue to encourage people throughout the country to adopt these rescue dogs, who are truly on their last chance at life.”

The Grace Foundation thanked everyone for their support and encourages dog lovers everywhere to adopt “one of the millions of rescue dogs that might otherwise end up being euthanized. These dogs may not be the smallest, but they all have their own amazing stories of survival and wonderful personalities to share with loving homes like yours.”

“Whether you adopt another dog from us or one from your local animal shelter or rescue, you will not only be saving the life of your new best friend, you will also be making room for the shelter or rescue to save the life of another dog in need,” according to the press release. “If everyone who submitted an application for Beyonce adopted another rescue dog, you all could save the lives of over 500 dogs!”

Keep up with Beyonce (and donate to her special “I’m a Survivor” fund) and read about other Grace Foundation news at thegracefoundationofnorcal.org.