Meter Maid, a rescue dog who arrived at Austin Pets Alive! (APA) in a critical state, has become a super mom after giving birth to 11 healthy puppies. Found as a “very shut down and scared” stray in an Austin neighborhood, Meter Maid was heavily pregnant and barely able to move when she was taken in by APA from a city shelter in Texas.
Upon arrival at APA, Meter Maid’s condition was so severe that she couldn’t even walk outside on her own. To help her enjoy the outdoors, the compassionate staff at APA regularly transported her in a wagon, allowing her to bask in the sunlight despite her limited mobility.
After 16 days of dedicated care at the rescue, Meter Maid gave birth to 11 puppies, much to the surprise of the shelter workers. The large number of puppies explained her enormous belly, and all the newborns were declared “adorable and healthy.”
The puppies, along with their devoted mother, are currently under the care of APA until they are weaned and ready for adoption. APA has shared Meter Maid’s touching story on Instagram, including a sweet video that captures the moments before and after the birth. The video ends with a heartwarming scene of Meter Maid cuddling with her 11 puppies, accompanied by the caption, “Good job, mama.”
In a playful nod to their mother’s name, the puppies have been given themed names: Construction Zone, Detour, Valet, Driveway, Parallel Park, Speed Limit, Stop Sign, Sidewalk, Parking Ticket, Street Parking, and Crosswalk.
APA anticipates that the puppies will be ready for adoption in April, with Meter Maid becoming available a week or two after her pups. The rescue staff are confident that Meter Maid will make a loving and loyal companion to a lucky family, given her attentive care for her puppies.
Meter Maid’s story highlights the importance of helping vulnerable animals, particularly pregnant strays. APA hopes that her journey will inspire others to support animals in need. In their Instagram post, APA noted the financial challenges of caring for a large litter, stating, “While mama dogs like Meter Maid do a lot of the work raising their pups, it still costs us about $1,000 to feed, vaccinate, and house a family of dogs for several weeks – and most families don’t include 11 puppies!”
Meter Maid’s remarkable story is a testament to the resilience of rescue animals and the impact that compassionate care can have on their lives.
