OLYMPIA, Wash. — An Olympia-based dog rescue saved 11 newborn puppies Sunday that were abandoned in Capitol Forest.
The rescue, Caring Hearts 4 Paws, said the puppies were a few hours old when they were abandoned in a plastic planter box along the McLane Creek Nature Trail. Umbilical cords were still attached to the dogs.
A couple who found the puppies drove them to Aberdeen looking for formula. When they couldn't find any, they posted on Facebook asking for help. Sue Meier, the owner of Caring Hearts 4 Paws, saw the post and met the couple in Elma to pick them up.
"I couldn’t say no knowing we are equipped," Meier said.
The puppies are spending all their time in an incubator set to 85 degrees. They require constant care with feedings every two to three hours.
All 11 puppies survived the first 24 hours at the shelter and have learned to suck from a bottle.
Most of the puppies weigh less than a pound – the average is 14.8 ounces. The smallest dog weighs 13.1 ounces, and the largest one is slightly over a pound.
“It was a struggle with 3 pups but this last feed they got it down pretty good and instead of 90 minutes I did all 11 in 45 minutes,” the rescue said in a Facebook post.
Caring Hearts 4 Paws was started in 2021 with a focus on pregnant dogs in need of help. The shelter said puppies born to stray dogs often don’t live long due to severe weather, parvovirus or coyotes. If they survive, these puppies oftentimes go on to have litters of their own. Caring Hearts 4 Paws hopes to break the cycle.
After taking in the puppies, Meier said there has been an outpouring of community support. The rescue has raised over $3,000 for formula, which Meier said is about what it will cost to feed a litter of that size for eight weeks. Additional donations can be made here.
"People are just so gracious and helping," Meier said. "This is just a community situation and I’m so blessed to have all of them."
Once the puppies reach eight weeks old, they can be adopted.
Now Meier has turned her attention to finding the mother of the puppies, who can help nurse the babies.
"She's grieving," Meier said. "The puppies need her. I need her."
Meier said the rescue hopes to spay the mother to prevent future pregnancies. Meier said she didn't need to know the owner's identity and could meet the owner to pick up the dog.
In addition to the 11 puppies found in Capitol Forest, Caring Hearts 4Paws said it is “swimming” in puppies, caring for 18 others as well as their nursing mothers.