After they were discovered abandoned in a plastic bucket in Arizona, a group of newborn American Pit Bull puppies are undergoing emergency care.
According to a news release, on the morning of March 10, staff members of the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) found seven puppies in a trash can outside the organization’s Sunnyslope Campus in Phoenix.
Since they are too young to control their body temperature, the six-day-old animals were “extremely hypothermic” after being left alone for an unspecified period of time.
In response to the staff’s prompt action of warming the puppies with heating pads, the pups were “more vocal and active.”
For additional medical care, the animals were then taken to AHS’ Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital.
One of the puppies has passed away since the rescue. “Guarded,” the AHS announcement said, is the prognosis for the remaining six.
The infants are now in the hospital’s dedicated Bottle Baby intensive care unit, which is “designed to give orphaned, underage puppies and kittens a second chance.” They are receiving round-the-clock, high-level care there, which includes frequent weighings to make sure they are getting enough milk and bottle feedings every few hours.
The puppies will be allowed to stay in a foster home until they are well enough to be adopted.
In a press release, the AHS stated that this case “serves as a stark reminder” of the animal welfare crisis in Maricopa County, which is “at an all-time high.”
In recent months, reports of pet abandonments in the county have garnered national attention.
According to the group, it provided care for over 22,000 ill, injured, and mistreated animals in 2024—”the most in a decade.”
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The AHS attributed the county’s surge in pet abandonments to a number of issues, including evictions, population expansion, skyrocketing property prices, and a lack of reasonably priced pet care.
In order to avoid unintended or unintentional litters contributing to the homeless pet population, the AHS encouraged the Maricopa community to spay and neuter their animals.
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They also advised pet owners who require assistance to keep their animals to visit azhuman.org/resources.
For individuals who wish to help AHS, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will match up to $20,000 of any donations made to the organization during the month of March.
