{"id":103201,"date":"2025-08-23T01:59:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T01:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/103201\/"},"modified":"2025-08-23T01:59:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T01:59:18","slug":"senior-citizens-storm-abandoned-property-to-save-puppies-trapped-inside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/103201\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior Citizens Storm Abandoned Property To Save Puppies Trapped Inside"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Maraya Pierro answered a call from her 80-year-old mother about a trapped litter of puppies, she had no idea it would turn into a cross-country rescue mission. But Pierro, founder and executive director of Rescue Kitties of Hawaii<\/a>\u00a0on Moloka\u2019i, never says no to helping animals in need \u2014 especially babies.<\/p>\n

Pierro\u2019s mother heard hungry puppies crying from underneath a deck as she helped remove belongings from an abandoned home.<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first thought was, like, \u2018Oh my God, I don’t know what to do with puppies,\u2019\u201d Pierro told The Dodo. Her second thought was: These babies need food.<\/p>\n

She picked up some formula, bottles and blankets and headed toward the east end of Moloka\u2019i, the island\u2019s most remote area.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no idea what I was going to find, because nobody could see the puppies,\u201d Pierro said. \u201cThey were stuck way under the deck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

The property had been foreclosed after the owners left abruptly last fall. They also deserted their dogs, the mama and papa who produced the litter earlier this summer. A man assigned by the bank to clean up the property fed the dogs for months, but hadn\u2019t seen the mom in several days.<\/p>\n

As Pierro rushed to the scene, she called in reinforcements. Moloka\u2019i is small, with a strong community. \u201cEverybody knows everybody,\u201d she said. \u201cIt’s like the game of telephone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before she knew it, a robust crew of white-haired senior citizens, including her 80-year-old mother, were on the deck, prying up wooden slats, reaching through cobwebs to save the crying puppies. \u201cI’ve never seen any of us jump into action that quickly,\u201d Pierro said, laughing. \u201c[We\u2019re] not spring chickens, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

From the sounds the puppies made, everyone assumed there were three or four babies trapped under the deck. To the rescuers\u2019 shock and delight, the puppies kept coming.<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time another one came up, it was like, \u2018Oh my gosh, number five! Oh my gosh, number six!\u201d Pierro said.<\/p>\n

In total, seven puppies were pulled from their dark hiding spot. Pierro and her crew searched the area, listening for anyone they missed, but were confident they saved the entire litter.<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were starving,\u201d Pierro said. \u201cWe didn’t want them to eat too fast. So it was like an incredible assembly line.”<\/p>\n

The seniors took turns bottle-feeding and comforting the babies. Covered in fleas and dehydrated from the heat, the puppies couldn\u2019t have been happier to be in someone\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

Moloka\u2019i doesn\u2019t have a permanent vet or a shelter big enough for seven babies who need constant care. Pierro reached out to her vet partners on O\u2019ahu to secure vaccinations and medications for the puppies over the next few weeks.<\/p>\n

Through her Rescue Kitties of Hawaii network, Pierro found the puppies a seasoned dog owner with a large Moloka\u2019i property to foster the puppies. They got stronger, learned how to play and developed their own unique personalities.<\/p>\n

Rescue Kitties of Hawaii<\/p>\n

\u201cThese foster pups each come with their own bombastic personalities,\u201d Pierro wrote on Instagram<\/a>. \u201cSide eyes, snuggles, howls, and more! From Little Miss Land Shark to Fatabu the Big Baby, they\u2019re already stealing hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

The foster loved the puppies so much they ended up adopting one. Another Moloka\u2019i family adopted two. This past week, the remaining four puppies flew to a shelter partner near Boston that is excited to find forever homes for these brave babies.<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

As for the mama and papa dogs, the Maui Humane Society<\/a> was able to locate Papa, who has since found a forever home with a doting family on Moloka\u2019i. Pierro says she hopes Mama is still out there, and knows what a good job she did keeping her babies safe as long as she could.<\/p>\n

Maraya Pierro<\/p>\n

There is a saying on Moloka\u2019i: \u201cDon\u2019t change Moloka\u2019i, let Moloka\u2019i change you.\u201d Pierro said she is forever changed by these puppies and the community that came together to save them.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery single one lived,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd is thriving.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you are interested in adopting one of the remaining puppies, you can contact Motley\u2019s Mutts Rescue<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you would like to donate to Rescue Kitties of Hawaii, you can do so via their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Mom<\/a>Mom Stops Car On Highway And Jumps Out To Help A Panting KittenHe was so thirsty \ud83d\ude3f<\/a>