Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have officially adopted a puppy named Javi, but they have not yet brought him home. Treatment for an unspecified parasite has delayed his arrival, leaving the couple waiting for clearance while their other dog, Lena, remains at home.
The couple announced the adoption on LIVE with Kelly and Mark after meeting Javi during the program’s annual Adopt A Dog segment. The Shih Tzu mix was originally named Lucas before the couple chose Javi.
Ripa initially said the puppy was undergoing routine testing. She later told People at the Broadway opening of Other Desert Cities that a health issue was keeping him from joining the household.
Consuelos identified the issue as a parasite and said Javi was receiving treatment. “So they’re treating it and then he’s going to come,” Consuelos said. He expected the puppy to arrive “any day now,” but Javi’s homecoming has not been confirmed.
No information has been provided about the kind of parasite, Javi’s symptoms, his treatment or the organization currently caring for him. Without those details, it is not possible to assess his diagnosis, potential transmission risk or the timing of his release.
Why parasite care can delay placement
Dogs and cats can carry several kinds of internal and external parasites, some of which can affect people or other animals. ASPCA shelter guidance says animals showing signs of an infestation should receive an individualized evaluation and treatment plan developed with a veterinarian.
The ASPCA also advises shelters to treat dogs and cats for common parasites that can spread to people before release. Testing every animal for every possible parasite is not always practical, so facilities are advised to create written protocols reflecting the risks in their region and animal population.
University of Florida shelter-medicine guidance identifies roundworms, hookworms and coccidia among common gastrointestinal parasites in shelter animals. That general information does not establish which parasite Javi has, however, or explain why his particular treatment requires a delay.
The wait also matters because Ripa and Consuelos already have Lena, a Maltese/Shih Tzu mix. The couple arranged a compatibility meeting before proceeding with the adoption. Ripa said Lena appeared scared at first, but the dogs eventually played near each other.
They wound up playing next to each other. I think we’re going to have to do slow exposure, slow. But I think they’re going to be A-okay, Ripa said.
A promising first meeting cannot guarantee how two dogs will adjust in a shared home. Ohio State University guidance on dog introductions recommends close supervision at first and advises against leaving newly introduced dogs alone together before they are comfortable with each other.
The guidance also recommends giving dogs separate feeding areas and multiple places to rest. Owners should supervise early play and separate the dogs when no one is home until their interactions are consistently comfortable.
An adoption connected to Chewie
Javi’s anticipated arrival follows the death of Ripa and Consuelos’ dog Chewie in February 2025. Ripa said she had planned to adopt a small black dog resembling Lena and was not focused on breed, but Javi’s resemblance to Chewie changed the direction of the search.
Ripa has connected that resemblance to the loss of Chewie, saying she believed their former dog had sent Javi to the family. For now, the adoption remains in progress: Javi has a home waiting, his initial meeting with Lena allowed the couple to move forward, and his arrival depends on completion of treatment for a parasite that has not been identified publicly.
What would you do if your dog were in this situation? Share your thoughts in the comments.
By Sarah Mitchell — 8 years as a local-news reporter covering animal welfare, shelters, neighborhood disputes, and public-safety pet stories.
