If You Discover An Abandoned Litter Of Puppies, Take These Steps Immediately

The idea of coming across an abandoned litter of puppies will likely pull at the heartstrings of and cause a fair amount of anxiety for compassionate animal lovers. Unfortunately, the chance of encountering abandoned dogs has only risen. Speaking to CBS News, Stephanie Filer, executive director of Shelter Animals Count, highlighted an increase of 250,000 pets surrendered to shelters at the end of 2023 compared to the previous year based on data her organization collected from almost 7,000 shelters.

While people abandon cats and dogs for a variety of reason, financial strain often plays a key role. Pets in the most expensive U.S. cities face escalating abandonment rates. New York City was one of many such metropolitan areas that reported a larger number of surrenders in 2023. The overburdened shelter system raises the question of what to do if you discover an unhoused puppy litter. As much as you may want to bring new pets home, you may not be ready to adopt a dog, let alone a litter. Thankfully, there are steps you can take immediately. 

After the initial shock of finding a litter of puppies, the dogs' safety should be the first thing you attend to. Ensure the puppies are not in immediate danger, such as from incoming traffic or other hazards. You should not move them yourself to avoid accidentally harming them unless a threat outweighs the concerns of improper handling. You can provide cover if you are worried about the cold or heat.

Stay with the abandoned puppies, but seek help from those better suited to handle the situation. Your local animal center or humane society may have records of missing dogs reported to them already, and they will also be able to guide you on what to do next or send someone who can help. If wait times for assistance from a shelter are long, try reaching out to local rescues that can provide advice or additional resources. You can find a list of animal shelters and rescues through Petfinder.

While some people may assume that a neglectful owner abandoned the puppies, there is a chance that the mother had her pups outside and is currently away from them. If the mother dog returns, you must proceed with cuation; call animal control if she shows signs of aggression towards people. While the newborns likely won't have any ID, a tag or chip on a mother can help you reunite her with her owner.

If you can't locate the owner or find a spot for the puppies at a shelter or rescue, you may see little choice but to take them into your home if you can do so safely. Learning how to take care of a puppy can be daunting, even for a short period. Taking them to a vet for a check-up is required ASAP to ensure there are no immediate health concerns that need to be addressed; this should be your first call before or as soon as you get home.

Once you get the puppies inside, providing a safe space is vital, but keeping them separate from any pets you have is also important. This will help protect the puppies from potentially dangerous interactions and keep your pets safe from any illnesses the pups may carry. Children should also not be left to handle puppies to safeguard the health of both.

Taking in an abandoned dog, let alone a pile of puppies, is a labor of love. However, this interaction comes with many considerations past the initial rescue, including legal responsibilities, continued healthcare, and setting them up for adoption. Reaching out to a vet or rescue will help you get the tools to house the little fluffballs until you can find them proper accommodations.