When a Good Samaritan in Charles County, Maryland, noticed a paper towel box by the side of the road, they likely didn’t expect to find anything more than discarded packaging. But the box bore a plea scrawled in marker: “Please Help Sorry!” Inside were seven newborn puppies, only hours old, abandoned and vulnerable. The discovery marked the beginning of a hopeful journey for these tiny creatures, one that would soon involve dedicated animal welfare teams and a foster home filled with compassion.
Facebook/St. Mary’s County Animal Services
Stories of abandoned animals often begin in sorrow, but this one quickly took a turn toward recovery and resilience. The passerby who found the box acted swiftly, bringing the puppies to the Charles County Animal Care Center. Recognizing the urgent need for round-the-clock bottle-feeding and neonatal care, the center reached out to Hollis Lampe, division manager at St. Mary’s County Animal Services. Lampe, experienced in caring for young, orphaned animals, welcomed the pups into her home without hesitation.
“Once the initial angst faded, most of the staff, myself included, were just really relieved that the puppies were found in a timely manner,” Lampe told The Dodo. Her response captures the emotional duality of animal rescue work: the heartbreak of abandonment tempered by the satisfaction of being able to help.
Lampe’s household quickly transformed into a makeshift nursery. With the help of her three children, she began providing the puppies with constant care, ensuring they were fed, warm, and safe. At this stage in their development, the puppies’ needs are basic but unrelenting. “Right now, the puppies are mostly focused on eating and sleeping and don’t have much activity other than snuggling and squeaking when hungry,” Lampe explained. This kind of early intervention is critical for newborn animals, especially those separated from their mothers.
According to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, puppies should ideally remain with their mother for at least eight weeks. This time is essential for proper socialization, immune development, and learning basic behaviors. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible for this litter, but thanks to Lampe’s efforts, they are receiving the next best thing: attentive human care and early social interaction with children. That environment, Lampe noted, is likely to help them become well-adjusted pets when they are ready for adoption.
I found this detail striking—not just the quick action taken to save the puppies, but the way a family came together to nurture them. It’s a reminder that community support can make a powerful difference, especially when it comes to animal welfare. Lampe’s home became a haven, and her children played a key role in the puppies’ social development, simply by being present and gentle with them.
Lampe also emphasized the importance of proper surrender procedures for those unable to care for animals. “We want to be clear with people that they don’t have to resort to leaving animals out to fend for themselves,” she said. “Citizens of St. Mary’s County can call us and we will help. One way or another.” Her message underscores a broader concern in animal rescue: that fear or shame may prevent individuals from seeking help, ultimately putting animals at greater risk.
Fortunately, the future looks bright for these seven pups. If all goes according to plan, they will remain in Lampe’s care until they are about six weeks old. At that point, they’ll transition to foster-to-adopt homes, where they’ll continue to grow and bond with potential forever families. Once they are old enough to be spayed or neutered, the adoption process will be finalized, and they’ll officially begin new lives—far removed from the cardboard box where they were first found.
This story of abandoned puppies found in a box is not only a testament to the vulnerability of animals but also to the compassion that exists within communities. It highlights the importance of animal shelters, foster caregivers, and everyday people who choose to act when they see a need. For the puppies, what began as a desperate situation now holds the promise of safety, care, and eventually, loving homes.
As animal rescue organizations continue their work, stories like this one serve as both inspiration and education. They remind us that while not every situation can be ideal, there are always better alternatives than abandonment. With the right resources and a willingness to help, even the most fragile lives can be given a chance to thrive.
