Rescued pregnant dog gives birth to nine puppies after southeast Missouri rescue
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
DONIPHAN, Mo., (KBSI) — A pregnant dog rescued from a rural property in southeast Missouri has safely given birth to a litter of nine puppies, officials with Animal Rescue Corps said.
The mother dog is recovering and regaining strength after delivering the puppies while in the care of Animal Rescue Corps’ team at the organization’s rescue center near Nashville, Tennessee.
Animal Rescue Corps, a national nonprofit animal protection organization, rescued 18 dogs and puppies from the property Jan. 19 after residents asked for help amid dangerously cold weather conditions.
“This was not a criminal case,” said Tim Woodward, executive director of Animal Rescue Corps. “The people living on the property recognized that the number of dogs had grown beyond what they could manage and that they could no longer properly care for the animals.”
Woodward said the residents agreed to have their personal dogs spayed or neutered at ARC’s expense.
The rescue, dubbed Operation Unchained Dream, began when ARC responders arrived in the area the night before and coordinated with local rescuers. The dogs were transported to ARC’s rescue facility near Nashville for evaluation and care.
Responders reported finding several adult dogs chained on the property, along with multiple litters of puppies roaming freely. While some makeshift shelter was present, freezing temperatures raised concerns about the animals’ safety. One of the dogs was underweight and heavily pregnant at the time of the rescue.
“Without intervention, the situation would have quickly escalated,” Woodward said. “We’re grateful the residents reached out to ensure these dogs received the food, shelter and medical care they needed.”
According to Shelter Animals Count, an estimated 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. animal shelters and rescues in 2024. Many shelters continue to report overcrowding as animals remain in care longer due to lower adoption rates.
ARC officials said housing rescued animals at the organization’s own facility helps prevent large-scale rescues from overwhelming local shelters, allowing communities to preserve space and resources for other animals in need.
More information about Animal Rescue Corps and how to support its rescue efforts is available at Animal Rescue Corps – Animal Rescue Corps.
