At a Glance
- Nine newborn puppies were found abandoned in a plastic tub labeled “Free Puppies” outside San Marcos, Texas.
- The animals, still too young to survive without constant care, are now split among three specialized rescue groups.
- The tub also carried a handwritten note: “can’t afford, sorry.”
- Why it matters: Their survival hinges on bottle-feeding every two hours for the next eight weeks, spotlighting the strain on shelters during kitten-and-puppy season.
Nine tiny bodies-eyes still sealed shut-were discovered in a large plastic storage bin on January 4 after someone abandoned the container in San Marcos, Texas. Staff at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) arrived to find the tub marked in black ink: “Free Puppies.” Inside lay nine light-brown and dark-brown newborns with crisp white patches, umbilical cords still attached.
“It’s the kind of situation that stops you in your tracks – heartbreaking and incredibly urgent,” SMRAS wrote on Facebook. “Puppies this young need immediate, around-the-clock care, and every minute truly matters.”
How the Puppies Were Found
A passer-by noticed the tub sitting near a trailhead parking lot and called the shelter. Field officers arrived within minutes, wrapped the shivering pups in fleece blankets, and rushed them back to the facility. Staff photographed the evidence: the tub’s lid askew, the Sharpie-scrawled plea, the brief apology-“can’t afford, sorry”-on one side.
Shelter veterinarian Dr. Lisa Ramirez examined the litter on arrival. Each puppy weighed between 280-320 grams, indicating they were likely born within 24 hours of being dumped. Because they had not received colostrum from their mother, the risk of sepsis and hypoglycemia was high.
Emergency Care Network Mobilizes
Within two hours, SMRAS activated its neonatal rescue protocol:
- Love and Puppy Paws took four puppies.
- Orphaned Annies accepted three.
- Foster2Forever absorbed the final two.
Each group specializes in bottle-feeding newborns every two hours, stimulating them to eliminate, and tracking weight gains in daily logs. Volunteers work in 12-hour shifts; overnight carers set alarms for 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. feedings.
SMRAS thanked its own staff for stabilizing the animals “during a critical window of time. That level of dedication is everything for lives this fragile.”
Where Is Mom?
Commenters on the shelter’s Facebook post quickly asked about the mother dog. SMRAS replied that officers canvassed the area for days, knocking on doors and reviewing security-camera footage from a nearby gas station. No additional information surfaced.
“We’ve followed up as much as we’re able, and unfortunately we don’t know where mom dog is or the situation that caused these puppies to be away from mom and left in a box,” the shelter wrote.
Shelter director Michael Sanchez added: “We know this situation brings up a lot of frustration and anger, and those feelings are completely understandable. We want to be transparent that there is very little information available to us.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 4, 8:30 a.m. | Tub discovered in parking lot. |
| January 4, 9:15 a.m. | Puppies arrive at SMRAS. |
| January 4, 11:00 a.m. | Rescue partners collect litter. |
| January 5-present | Bottle-feeding every two hours continues. |
Adoption Still Weeks Away
Because the puppies must reach eight weeks old before sterilization, adoption applications remain closed until early March. The three partner rescues will handle placement once each pup is vaccinated, micro-chipped, and cleared by a veterinarian. Interested families are encouraged to follow the groups on social media for announcements rather than inundating SMRAS with calls.
Community Response
The original Facebook post has been shared more than 4,700 times and attracted 1,200 comments, many offering donations of puppy formula, heating pads, and fleece snuggle blankets. SMRAS emphasized that monetary gifts are most useful, allowing foster homes to buy the precise formula brand their vets recommend.
“We’re also so grateful to everyone in our community who shared the post, reached out, and offered help,” the shelter wrote. “Moments like this are a reminder that rescue really does take a village.”
What Happens Next
For the coming eight weeks, the nine pups will continue living with experienced bottle feeders. Weekly weigh-ins will determine when they can graduate to gruel and, eventually, solid kibble. If weight targets are met, the first adoptions could begin the first week of March.
SMRAS used the viral attention to remind residents that Texas law classifies abandonment as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Hays County Animal Cruelty Task Force.
Key Takeaways
- Nine newborns survived likely hypothermia thanks to a quick Good Samaritan and seasoned shelter staff.
- The shelter’s neonatal network split the workload, preventing burnout on any single foster home.
- Adoption won’t open until early March, but public interest is already high.
- The whereabouts and condition of the mother dog remain unknown, and officials urge anyone with knowledge to come forward.
