Humane Society of Harford County nursing newborn puppies found abandoned on Belcamp walking trail
By Greg Ng, Khiree Stewart
Click here for updates on this story
FALLSTON, Md. (WBAL) — A passerby’s discovery led to the rescue of newborn puppies — only a day or two old — along a walking trail in Harford County.
According to the Humane Society of Harford County, the good Samaritan spotted a small box containing the pups early Saturday morning along a walking trail near the Riverside Apartments off Maryland Route 7 in Belcamp. The tiny newborns still had their eyes closed and were left defenseless without their mother in 50-degree weather, HSHC said.
“Newborn puppies like these need their mother,” Amanda Hickman, the shelter’s executive director, said in a statement. “We’re so grateful that someone found them when they did. Just a few more hours in the cold could have been tragic.”
The pups were taken to HSHC, where they received emergency care that included warming them in an incubator and bottle-feeding them every few hours.
The smallest of the litter did not survive, but the remaining three are now safe, stable and thriving in the loving care of a foster family, HSHC said.
“Our foster volunteers open their homes — and their hearts — to animals who need extra time and care before they’re ready for adoption,” Hickman said. “We truly couldn’t do this work without them.”
Not long after, an empty cat carrier was left at HSHC’s door with food and blankets, but there was no cat found.
HSHC urges people never to leave animals outside alone anywhere due to risks from the weather, traffic, dehydration, illness, injury or encounters with wildlife or loose pets.
“Just a few more hours in the cold could have been tragic.”
HSHC offers a pet food pantry for struggling families, vaccine clinics at low cost and options to find new homes for pets without judgment.
“If you find yourself with a litter you can’t care for, please call us,” Hickman said. “We’re here to help, with no judgment and no shaming … no pet parent should feel their only choice is abandonment.”
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.