SaskatchewanPeople who need to surrender pets have better options than this drastic measure, the society says.Staff member found them cold and wet in a plastic tote bin early MondayRandi LaRocque · CBC News · Posted: Dec 11, 2025 4:04 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Humane society staff say the pups are now warm and safe. (Regina Humane Society)A worker at the Regina Humane Society noticed a blue plastic storage container at the shelter’s front door around 5 a.m. CST on Monday.Inside were 11 puppies, around seven weeks old. They were cold and wet, huddled together and trying to stay warm in the –11 C weather. Bill Thorn, marketing and public relations director for the organization, said the size of the group may have helped them survive. “If there had been one or two in there, it might have gone differently,” he said.The puppies were brought inside to warm up and dry off. They’re being kept in an area where staff can observe them closely and treat them if needed. Some were treated for worms, but all seem healthy otherwise, Thorn said. “If all goes well, we’ll be able to find them new homes in the next week or two.”Staff figure the puppies are a shepherd mix, and will likely be medium-sized when grown. Staff have assigned them fun names inspired by songs, including Dolly Parton’s Jolene, Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean, and Mr. Bojangles. The puppies are believed to be about seven weeks old, and will be put up for adoption in the coming weeks. (Regina Humane Society)The humane society emphasized that abandoning animals outside the building is “never acceptable,” even though the puppies were unharmed on this occasion. Thorn noted that people seeking to surrender pets have better options.“If people are not able to look after their pets, we have different resources on how they can rehome them on their own. At the end of the day, if surrender is the best option, we’ll work with you, you can bring them in,” he said.WATCH | 11 puppies dumped outside Regina animal shelter in the cold:11 puppies dumped outside Regina animal shelter in the coldA maintenance worker discovered a plastic tub with 11 shivering puppies outside the doors of the Regina Humane Society earlier this week. The animal rescue group is reminding people to surrender dogs during business hours.Anyone who needs to surrender a pet should call the humane society and schedule an appointment. Since the shelter has limited space, staff have to make sure there is room for the animals first. “Sometimes we may say, ‘Can you wait a day or two until we get some space?’ if we know some animals are adopted and going to be heading home, so that we do have the capacity for them, especially if there’s more than one,” Thorn said.Puppies are easier, as they can be housed in one suite or kennel, but it’s still “11 mouths to feed,” he said.Since it’s the holiday season, the organization has various fundraising options. Now is the “biggest season for donations,” Thorn said.People who want to donate to support animals can look through the humane society’s holiday gift catalog, participate in the holiday 50/50 draw, which is currently at $10,000, or support the Home for the Holidays adoption campaign. More information can be found on the Regina Humane Society website.ABOUT THE AUTHORRandi LaRocque is a Métis woman working as an Associate Producer with the Indigenous Pathways program. She can be reached at randi.larocque@cbc.caWith files from Samanda Brace
11 puppies left outside Regina Humane Society in freezing weather are now safe
