WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 15, 2025
In a stunning display of compassion and quiet heroism, Fox News anchor Dana Perino has personally funded a daring $120,000 mission to rescue 12 dogs from an active war zone in Eastern Europe — a mission that has not only saved lives but left fans across America in tears after she revealed the fate of the third dog on the list.
Perino, known for her advocacy for animal rights, reportedly worked behind the scenes with a coalition of humanitarian and animal rescue organizations to airlift the abandoned dogs — many injured, traumatized, or left starving in shelled-out shelters — to safety in the U.S.
“I couldn’t sleep at night knowing these dogs were trapped,” Perino said in an emotional interview. “They didn’t choose war. They didn’t choose to be left behind.”
The complex operation involved private cargo transport, emergency medical teams, and on-ground military clearance, with Perino personally covering all associated costs — including vaccines, permits, and quarantine services.
But it was what she shared about the third dog that left even seasoned viewers shaken.
“The third dog we rescued, her name is Lira,” Perino said, holding back tears. “When she was found, she was huddled over the body of another dog — refusing to leave, even under fire. The rescuers said she hadn’t moved in two days. They thought she was dead too.”
Lira, a small black-and-tan shepherd mix, was severely malnourished and nearly feral from trauma. But since arriving in the U.S., she has made an extraordinary recovery — and has now found a permanent home.
“She’s ours now,” Perino smiled. “Peter and I adopted her. She’s quiet. She follows me everywhere. I think she knows she’s safe now — and maybe for the first time in her life, loved.”
Fans immediately flooded social media with emotional responses, calling Lira’s story “the most powerful thing Dana’s ever done.” The hashtag #LiraTheRescue began trending nationwide.
Animal rescue organizations have praised Perino’s action as a bold example of how high-profile figures can use their platforms — and their wallets — for silent, real-world impact.
“This wasn’t about headlines,” one mission coordinator said. “She never asked for credit. She just said, ‘Tell me what it takes to save them. I’ll handle the rest.’”
As the remaining rescued dogs recover and await adoption, Perino says she’ll continue to support them every step of the way — and hopes Lira’s story inspires others to act with empathy, even in the darkest of places.
“Sometimes,” she said, “you just have to choose love. Even when the world’s on fire.”