1. Look for the mother first
A mother dog often leaves her puppies for a few hours to find food. Her care is better than anything we can provide, so don’t take puppies away unless you have to. Watch from a distance, out of sight, for a few hours.
2. Step in if they’re in danger
Act straight away if the puppies are:
- On or near a road, or somewhere they could be hurt.
- Exposed to rain, cold, or strong sun.
- Injured, very weak, crying constantly, or covered in flies.
- Still alone after the mother has clearly not returned for many hours.
3. Keep them warm and safe
- Move them into a box lined with soft, dry cloths.
- Very young puppies can’t control their own body temperature. A bottle of warm (not hot) water wrapped in a cloth can help. Leave space for them to move away from it.
- Keep them dry, and don’t bathe them.
- Keep them away from other animals until a vet has checked them.
4. Feed carefully
- Don’t give cow’s milk. It can cause diarrhoea and dehydration in puppies.
- Very young puppies need a puppy milk replacer and careful bottle or syringe feeding. Ask a vet how much and how often.
- Older puppies who can eat on their own may manage soft, plain food. A vet can advise what suits their age.
5. Get them checked by a vet
A vet can estimate their age, check for illness and parasites, and set a deworming and vaccination schedule. If the mother is around, ask about sterilising her once the puppies are weaned, through your area’s Animal Birth Control programme.
6. Find them a future
If you can’t keep them, contact an established rescue organisation about fostering and adoption, or ask friends and neighbours. Don’t leave puppies in another area. They’re safest close to where they were found, or in a proper home.
You can also register with us if you’d like to adopt, or foster when our programme opens.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions.