YELM, Wash. - Two weeks after an apparent murder-suicide at a family-operated Eatonville dog kennel, one veterinary hospital is doing its part to help.
About 100 dogs were being kept in the kennel at the time of the death of their owner Yolanda Patchin. Investigators say she was killed by her boyfriend, Hector Estrada, who then turned the gun on himself.
On Sunday, a veterinary hospital in Yelm held an adoption fair for the dogs, who could no longer be cared for at the kennel. By the end of the day, 20 to 25 dogs had found a new home.
Trudy Bacus was one of those who came to the adoption fair.
The last time she was at the Yelm Veterinary Hospital, it was to put down her toy terrier of 17 years. But this time, she came for a very different reason.
"I found her in this room - makes all things balanced," she says of the puppy she adopted.
Dozens of others also went home with new puppies. The adoption fair featured small breeds of every kind.
Proceeds from the adoption fair will go to benefit the two children of Patchin and Estrada, who were present during the killings of their parents two weeks ago.
"Your heart goes out to these children because of what they went through," says Dr. Emily French of the Yelm Veterinary Hospital.
Kurt and Leslie Parker came to the adoption fair even though they had decided earlier not to have a dog for a while.
"We agreed not to have a dog for a while, but I told her I was duty-bound to tell her this was happening, and we're here," says Kurt Parker.
Trudy Bacus is aware of what happened too - and knows her money will go towards the children. She's just glad many will find comfort from such tragedy.
"The dogs are being take care of. They'll all find good homes - either because of it or in spite of it," she says.
The dogs went for $200 each, plus a $60 fee to get them spayed or neutered.
Yelm Veterinary Hospital will have another adoption fair on May 8.
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