HUNTERDON CO., N.J. – Squeals of survival are heard inside a padded carry all.
7 of the 8 puppies remain after they were found, only hours old, in a shopping bag outside a Philadelphia Target on Dec. 19.
“They were ice cold. So right away we knew we were behind the eight ball that they needed to be warmed up,” said foster mom Beth Hucke.
Now, the puppies are warmed by an in-home incubator by Hucke of Lehigh Valley based Outcast Rescue. She is sacrificing sleep to care these now 7 newborns.
“You can see they search for the bottle because they know,” she said while bottle feeding one.
She feeds, cleans and baths the dogs, giving the canines round the clock care.
“This one has an abscess in the neckline,” she pointed to a puppy.
Her Hunterdon County home in New Jersey is crammed with 4 paws, lifesaving technology.
“It really was an entertainment center. Now it’s a puppy supply center,” she said of her living room cabinet.
“They’re doing good. We lost the runt last night, fading puppy syndrome, and otherwise the remaining seven are thriving,” she said.
Pennsylvania SPCA is investigating the case. Fellow Outcast founder Kelly Moyer says the situation is all too common.
“People just need to be more responsible. Spaying and neutering from the get-go. If you’re in a circumstance where you can’t take care of these dogs, take them to the shelter. ACT would not have turned these puppies away,” Moyer said.
“Why do you do it?” 69 News reporter Bo Koltnow asked Hucke.
“We love these dogs. You know, this is why we started this rescue. And we take on these cases that keep us up at night,” she responded.
Adoption is at least 8 weeks away. Until then, these lucky pups will sleep safe, sound and warm.