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Puppies rescued from graveyard 'loving cuddles'

Emily Ford
BBC News, Southampton
The puppies' personalities are now starting to come out, according to volunteers, and they love cuddles

A litter of puppies found in a shoebox dumped in a graveyard are "doing well and loving cuddles", the RSPCA has said.

The four male puppies were found by a member of the public in Westbourne Cemetery, Emsworth, on 24 June, when they were four days old.

Now at four weeks old and under the care of the RSPCA Solent Branch in Fareham, volunteers say the puppies are "hitting all their developmental markers".

Staff have been following a puppy rota to hand rear the boys, now named Gravy, Bones, Draco and Malfoy, ahead of them being placed into foster homes.

RSPCA Solent Branch A litter of dark brown, almost black, and white puppies in a huddle together on a blanket in a animal carrier.RSPCA Solent Branch
The puppies needed feeding every two hours when they first arrived

Volunteers previously said the puppies were lucky to be alive due to being left in the hot weather.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "They are very cute and their little personalities are starting to come through now.

"All four are hitting their developmental markers, are toddling about, eyes are opened and are beginning to eat solids.

"They are still being taken home by staff, but will soon be placed in foster homes. We will keep two puppies together each, to keep up their socialising."

RSPCA Solent Branch Two puppies are asleep in their play pen. They both have black fur. The one to the left has a green thin collar around his nack and some white detail on his chest, he is lying on his side asleep on a bright blue mat. His brother is resting his head on his hip and has white markings on his scruff and one white back paw.RSPCA Solent Branch
Staff at The Ark say the puppies are developing well and they will be able to determine their breed in the next few weeks

RSPCA Solent Branch, known as The Stubbington Ark, is an independent branch of the RSPCA, and a separately registered charity.

After taking in the litter, the charity started a fundraising appeal to help cover food and care for the puppies and their further needs, including vaccinations, microchipping and neutering.

The branch initially asked for £500 but surpassed this total in one day and reached £2,000.

The spokeswoman added: "This is an amazing show of support from our local community and we were very touched by the concern shown by everyone."

RSPCA Solent Branch A puppy, mid-yawn, looks at the camera. His eyes are slightly open and his mouth is open wide with his tongue sticking out. He has black fur and is lying in a blue fleece bed with white polka dots and a cuddly toy underneath his front paws.RSPCA Solent Branch
The puppies will be placed in foster homes as two pairs to keep their socialising up

The spokeswoman explained the puppies are still too young for their breed to be determined, but staff say they should know in the next few weeks when features become more pronounced.

RSPCA National is now appealing for any information about the puppies, expressing a concern for the welfare of the mum and potential female litter mates.

The charity previously said: "The staff are highly concerned for the welfare of mum who has been separated from her puppies. This must be a distressing time for her."

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