Six newborn puppies saved after being 'left to die in cold bin' - sparking appeal from Birmingham Dogs Home

The pups, which were believed to be only a week old, were uncovered by a shocked member of the public when taking out his rubbish on collection day, when they were rescued and handed to the centre.

After noticing movement in his bin, the member of the public found the litter of helpless puppies desperately huddled together, eyes closed, and clinging to life. Acting quickly, he took the puppies inside and contacted Birmingham Dogs Home for urgent help.

Thanks to his quick thinking, and the immediate care of the charity’s dedicated team, their lives were saved.

Fortunately, and miraculously, the puppies are now safe after being hand-reared around the clock by the experienced and dedicated team at Birmingham Dogs Home. Because hand-rearing is incredibly demanding the pups required bottle feeds every few hours, constant monitoring, and specialist care in order to help them grow strong and healthy before finding their forever homes with new loving owners.

The puppies, which are all female, will be available for adoption once the team at Birmingham Dogs Home is confident that they are safe, healthy, and ready for adjustment to life with a new owner.

“These puppies had absolutely no chance of surviving on their own,” said Giles Webber, CEO, Birmingham Dogs Home. “They were just days old, defenceless, and discarded like rubbish. It’s heartbreaking to think what could have happened if they hadn’t been found in time.”

Ambassador for Birmingham Dogs Home, TV Vet Dr Scott Miller added: “I cannot tell you how devastating it is to hear of these stories, which unfortunately happen far too often. Every animal deserves a healthy, happy life, and I’m so grateful for Birmingham Dogs Home for acting quickly and saving these sweet puppies.”

While the puppies are now doing well, their story is sadly a reflection of a worrying trend across the West Midlands, as the charity is seeing a significant rise in neglect and welfare cases.

Many of the 2,000 dogs a year that arrive at the Birmingham and Wolverhampton centres are desperately in need of urgent veterinary treatment. This is sadly driving up costs for the charity, which needs over £6,000 a day just to keep it in operation.

At the same time, the charity’s phone lines are overwhelmed with calls from owners desperate to surrender their dogs, often due to changes in circumstances or the financial pressures of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“These cases are becoming all too common,” added Haylee Gee, Birmingham Centre Manager and one of the team members who is helping hand-rear the puppies back to health. “Rescue centres like ours are full, and every day we’re being asked to take in more dogs in desperate need. We rely entirely on the generosity of the public to fund the lifesaving care we provide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

Which is why, as Christmas is approaching, the charity is desperately appealing to the public for their support to help ensure dogs like these puppies have a chance at a better future. The one they deserve.

Every pound donated will help save a life with your kind donations helping Birmingham Dogs Home to provide the dogs in their care with food, warmth, and veterinary care.

For more information about Birmingham Dogs Home and how you can help, please visit: birminghamdogshome.org.uk/xmas-2025/.

Your donation will save a life.