When an animal senses that its surroundings are unsafe or unstable, it may abandon its newborns in order to protect itself. Instinct takes over, and the reaction varies from species to species.
One mother might feel secure, while another facing the same situation may believe her young are in danger.
That is what occurred at one zoo when a first-time mother rejected her litter. Thankfully, help came from a surprising source, and the abandoned pups found comfort where no one expected.
A Difficult Start
At Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, the birth of three endangered African painted dog pups began as a moment of celebration.
The parents, Bleu and Maurice, had lived at the Zoo for years, and the staff followed Bleu’s pregnancy with great care. Everything progressed normally, and she eventually gave birth to eight healthy puppies.
African painted dogs depend heavily on pack structure, so keeping the entire group together was crucial.
The team remained committed to allowing the adult dogs to raise their young without interference and only planned to intervene if the situation truly required it.
“In zoos, animal care staff try to remain as hands-off as possible to ensure that the painted dog pack is able to raise their litter of pups. This strategy has been proven through numerous successful births in zoos around the world, and it gives painted dog puppies the best chance to learn the complex social structure of their species. The goal is for each litter to successfully integrate into a pack and contribute to future breeding programs within zoos,” said the staff in a newsletter.
However, barely half a day after the birth, the team noticed serious concerns. Bleu, who had never raised pups before, struggled to care for them and soon stopped tending to her litter.
After speaking with the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP), the Zoo determined that the pups needed immediate hand-raising.
Because proper canine socialization was essential, SSP advised finding a domestic dog who could nurse the litter instead of using bottle feeding. The staff quickly began searching for the right foster mother.
A Golden Mom Steps In
With help from the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare, the Zoo soon welcomed Kassy, a nurturing Golden Retriever who had recently delivered her own puppies. She had plenty of milk and a calm temperament, making her an ideal surrogate.
The moment Kassy met the painted dog pups, she accepted them completely, cleaning and nursing them as if they had always belonged to her. Her devotion, combined with round-the-clock care from the staff, gave the fragile newborns their best chance at survival.
Even with every effort, not all of the pups made it. The loss was deeply felt, but it is, sadly, a frequent outcome for newborn animals. The staff focused on the three surviving pups, who began growing stronger each day.
Named Blue, Red, and Orange, after the colors used to monitor their progress, the trio continued to flourish under Kassy’s protection.
“Originally, the recommended plan was for the painted dog pups to reintegrate with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby. However, the adult painted dogs didn’t display suitable positive interest in the puppies, so the plan was changed,” wrote the staff.
Since reintroducing them to the adult painted dogs was no longer appropriate, the Zoo developed a different approach. A separate living space was created for the pups beside Bleu and Maurice so they could still observe natural painted dog behavior while staying safe.
A New Chapter Ahead
As the pups grow, the Zoo hopes Blue, Red, and Orange will eventually join the Potawatomi pack. If that transition is not successful, they will be moved to another AZA-accredited facility, where they can become part of a new family group.
None of this would have been possible without Kassy, the Golden Retriever whose gentle nature and willingness to nurture rescued pups gave the endangered trio a real chance at life. Her contribution, along with the dedication of the Zoo staff and SSP, created a path forward for the young painted dogs.
