Five rescue puppies have been named after the New York Knicks' starting five and are set to be placed with foster families this weekend. The pups, named Jalen, KAT, OG, Josh, and Bridges, were named by the animal rescue organization Ollie's Angels in Greenlawn.
Ollie's Angels director Melissa Bielawski stated that the decision to name the puppies after the Knicks players was made the same day the team won the NBA championship. As there were five puppies, the organization decided to honor the Knicks' starters. "When we realized there were five puppies, naming them in honor of the Knicks seemed like a fun idea," Bielawski told The Post. The women running the rescue are reportedly lifelong Knicks fans.
The puppies, described as "some type of Lab mix," were rescued from Dorchester County, South Carolina, an area known for having a problem with unwanted dogs. According to Bielawski, a local man had been caring for stray dogs that wandered onto his property. Due to a lack of spay and neuter services in South Carolina, the stray dog population grew, becoming overwhelming for the man. A South Carolina rescue partner reached out to Ollie's Angels for assistance.
Bielawski noted that the naming of the puppies after the team, often considered underdogs, was fitting. "Our rescue is all about determination and second chances, which the Knicks proved over and over again this season," she said. "These puppies survived very rough beginnings with a very real chance of not making it, but now they are thriving."
Ollie's Angels, founded in 2016 by Bielawski and named after her own rescue dog, has saved over 3,000 dogs. The volunteer-run non-profit aims to provide abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs with a second chance. Bielawski hopes that naming the puppies after the Knicks players will attract attention from New York basketball fans who may not have previously considered animal rescue.
"If every social media [post] makes someone stop scrolling long enough to notice a rescue dog, it makes a real difference," Bielawski said. The organization posted photos of the puppies on its Instagram page, which has generated a significant positive response. The rescue emphasizes that sharing a puppy's story can help save another life.