What nearly ended in tragedy has instead become a heartwarming tale of rescue and compassion.
A woman in Georgia narrowly avoided hitting a puppy while driving —only to discover the dog wasn’t alone. Within moments, an entire litter of puppies, along with their mother, emerged from the roadside bush.
Jenn Bailey, from Cartersville, documented her rescue mission on TikTok under the handle @__jenniferbailey, where her video has since gone viral with over 3.1 million views.
The footage, shared on May 25, is overlaid with the text: “Just my luck… I ALMOST ran over a puppy and stopped to pick it up and a whole litter comes running to me.” As they approach, the 24-year-old can be heard saying, “is this real life right now?”
Since the initial video, Bailey, 24, has posted several updates, showing the four puppies and their mother safe in her care. She has gone above and beyond to locate the rightful owner—if there is one—by posting on Facebook lost-and-found pet pages, distributing flyers, and canvassing the local area.
In one of her clips, she notes that the dogs are inseparable and appear to have never experienced love. “They act like they don’t know what a bone is,” she explains, adding that she’s keeping her own dog separated from the rescues as a precaution until they can be checked for illness.
Bailey tried to have the mother dog scanned for a microchip, but with it being Memorial Day weekend, the clinic was closed. “Playing it by ear,” she said, adding that they are safe—and she is happy to foster them until they find them a forever home.
In a follow-up clip, Bailey took the pups for a walk, revealing they were already so attached that they obediently followed her off-leash. She hoped the walk might lead them back to wherever they came from—but no clues emerged.
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What to Do If You Find a Lost Pet
Bailey’s actions reflect what animal experts say is best practice when encountering stray or lost pets. According to the American Humane Society, these are the recommended steps to follow:
- Capture and Contain Safely – Approach animals slowly, speaking in a calm voice. Use treats or food to coax them closer, especially if they seem frightened. Be extra cautious near roads. Secure dogs with a leash or makeshift lead, and confine cats in carriers, boxes with air holes, or a safe room or ventilated car.
- Contact Authorities if Needed – If the animal seems aggressive or cannot be safely approached, call animal control or the police. Provide the exact location where the animal was last seen.
- Check for Identification – If the pet has a tag, try calling the owner directly. If you hold onto the pet temporarily, file a “found pet” report with your local shelter to alert the owner.
- Scan for a Microchip – Even if there’s no tag, a shelter or vet can scan the animal for a microchip to trace the owner. Skipping this step could mean missing the easiest path home for the animal.
- Bring Unidentified Pets to a Shelter – They are often the first place owners check for lost animals. If you prefer to keep the animal temporarily, ask the shelter if you can submit a photo for their online system, allowing the owner to identify their pet from a distance.
- Spread the Word – Quickly getting the word out can dramatically increase the chances of reunification. Take a photo of the animal and share it online via social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (be sure to make the post public). Post fliers in your neighborhood and at local vet clinics. Door-to-door inquiries in the immediate area can be effective, as can posts on neighborhood forums like Nextdoor or local newspaper classifieds.
TikTok Reacts
As of now, the original video has over 686,000 likes and almost 2,700 comments.
“They look very healthy to have been abandoned for very long,” said one user.
“Momma looks so relieved for her babies,” said another user and Bailey responded: “She’s definitely exhausted. It warmed my heart to see her finally rest with her babies. She’s a happy girl!”
A third user pointed out: “That mama is barely bigger than the pups! Thanks for loving on them and saving them!”
Newsweek reached out to @__jenniferbailey for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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