New Jersey shelter dog who recently had a stillborn pup is still showing motherly signs to an unlikely baby after hearing cries in the shelter.
Two-year-old Tulip is living in the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood, New Jersey. The center took her in as a stray on August 28 and she’s been with the shelter ever since. Tulip and her shelter companions are just a few of the “approximately 6.3 million companion animals that enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats,” the ASPCA said.
Kathryn Custer, a volunteer with the shelter, told Newsweek in an email that they did not realize Tulip was pregnant when she was brought in. On September 21, another volunteer noticed blood in her kennel and when they rushed over, there was an unresponsive puppy with Tulip.
“We transported her to an emergency vet that night and they confirmed there were no other puppies,” said Custer. “It was suspected this was her first litter, which would explain why there was only one puppy. First litters typically are smaller.”
The week following Tulip’s trip to the vet, she stayed in a crate in an employee’s office. Since Tulip is reactive toward other dogs, and the shelter is over capacity, they thought it would be best to keep her separated, especially during the healing process. The shelter gave her several stuffed animals in which Tulip would attempt to “nurse” them, explained Custer.
Custer was caring for a rapidly declining kitten in the same room as Tulip. As soon as the kitten started crying, Tulip jumped up, Custer said. Tulip started whimpering. Custer thought it was her being reactive, but she quickly realized Tulip was acting out of concern.
“Every time I closed the box she would rush to that side of her crate and bark at me,” said Custer. “As soon as I opened the box she would calm down and try to lick the kitten. I think she sensed something was wrong with him, she was very gentle with the kitten.”
“She knew that kitty needed a mama,” one commenter, @genderfluidgoblin wrote in Custer’s October 1 TikTok clip. @ellanaoliver6 added, “So sweet she tried to help calm him down.”
The kitten Custer was looking after, unfortunately, did not make it. But, since then, Tulip has been introduced to other kittens. She has been kind and gentle, enjoying the supervised time with the babies. Custer said it seems to be making Tulip very happy.
@brandnewkathryn Replying to @wookiewife21 We still don’t feel comfortable leaving kittens with her but she gets time with some when I have the chance. we had a puppy come in yesterday and she actually didn’t care about it AT ALL. so I guess she’s a cat mom now 🤷🏼♀️ #dogsoftiktok #doglover #shelterdog #sheltervolunteer #puppies #kittens #kittenseason #momlife #mamadog #spayandneuter #adoptdontshop ♬ we fell in love in october – girl in red
Although Tulip is enjoying her time with kittens, Custer said the shelter decided it would not be safe to put kittens in her crate just yet for the safety of the babies. The shelter also cannot say for certain that a family with cats can adopt Tulip, but they believe with the proper introductions she could be a great fit.
Tulip is not the only animal in the shelter who has sensed other animals in distress. Custer explained a mother cat of four took in two newborn kittens as her own. Dogs in the shelter will also get upset when they hear others crying or having veterinary exams done on them. It takes staff and volunteers to comfort them and stop the barking.
