Dog that gave birth in a pipe rallies NC community. ‘Their story can’t end here’
A desperate dog that gave birth in a drain pipe has captured hearts on social media, but the family has yet to find a “safe haven,” according shelter officials in southeastern North Carolina.
The mom and her pups have been waiting at the Hoke County Animal Shelter in Raeford since Nov. 13, due in part to the puppies being too young for adoption, officials said.
A social media post recounting their rescue has racked up nearly 1,000 reactions and comments in two weeks, with many calling the mom’s story both inspiring and heartbreaking.
“Caring citizens found and rescued a devoted mama dog that was curled up in a drain pipe with her four tiny puppies ... doing everything she could to keep them safe from the cold wet darkness that had become their home,” the shelter wrote in a Facebook post.
“This brave mama, a gentle shepherd mix, had been surviving on scraps and sheer determination refusing to leave her babies no matter how hungry or tired she was. Her eyes tell the story of exhaustion, but also of love. Love that kept her alive long enough for help to arrive.”
The sight of young puppies roaming a ditch brought attention to the desperate situation.
One of the pups was immediately taken in by a rescuer. The other three – two males and a female – were found to be in good health, largely due to their “emaciated” mom starving herself to keep them fed, shelter officials said.
A nonprofit animal rescue with 501C3 tax status is needed to take in the family, due to the age of puppies, officials said.
Puppies can be adopted from the shelter at eight weeks, and the brood will reach that age in early December. However, the shelter staff hopes the family can stay together a while longer.
“Mama is kind and gentle, grateful to finally rest her head somewhere warm with a belly full of food,” shelter officials said.
“But their story can’t end here. The shelter is no place for such a young family. They need a rescue to step up … a safe haven where they can grow, heal, and finally know what it means to be loved. Please, if your rescue can help this beautiful mama and her babies, reach out. They’ve already survived so much, and they deserve the chance to truly live.”
In a bit of good news, the shelter reported Tuesday, Nov. 25, that the mom and pups found a foster home “for over Thanksgiving to give them a break from the shelter.”
Hoke County Animal Shelter can be reached at 910-875-4827.
Raeford is about a 90-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.
This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM with the headline "Dog that gave birth in a pipe rallies NC community. ‘Their story can’t end here’."