The incredible team at Animal Aid Unlimited, India (AAUI) is no stranger to heartbreaking rescue calls. But in May 2023, they received an urgent message that left them racing against time.
“Three tiny puppies had fallen into warm road tar,” AAUI shared on YouTube, “and when it cooled, they were completely trapped. Without help, they would have died — unable to move, eat, or even drink water.”
A Rescue Mission Like No Other
When volunteers arrived at the scene, they were met with a heart-wrenching sight: three young puppies stuck in a sticky, black tar pit. They were unable to wriggle even an inch, their tiny bodies completely encased in the asphalt.
The rescuers worked quickly, gently lifting each puppy out of the tar and transporting them to AAUI’s shelter. Their condition was critical — the thick, water-resistant tar had hardened on their fur, and with every passing minute, it became harder to remove.
Luckily, the team had faced similar situations before and knew exactly what to do.
From their previous experience with animals covered in tar, the rescuers knew that a water bath wouldn’t help. They needed to use a different substance to penetrate the tar and wick it away.
“First, we bathed them in cooking oil, removing chunks of tar,” AAUI wrote. “They were thirsty, exhausted and hungry.”
Removing The Tar
“We knew water alone wouldn’t work,” AAUI explained. “So, we began by coating them in cooking oil to break down the tar.”
Bathing them in oil, the team worked tirelessly to loosen the layers of asphalt that clung to their fur. The process wasn’t easy — the puppies were hungry, dehydrated, and exhausted. But despite their discomfort, the little ones seemed to understand the rescuers were helping them.
“We took breaks to syringe-feed the puppies as we worked,” AAUI shared. “It was a long process, but we could finally start to see their fur beneath the tar.”
After three hours of scrubbing, glimmers of clean fur began to appear. But the puppies were too tired to continue, so the team paused and let them rest for the night.
A Full Recovery
The rescuers resumed the oil baths the next day, and by the third day, the puppies were finally free from the tar. With their fur clean and their bellies full, the trio began to show their true personalities.
The rescuers named the puppies Bingo, Checkers, and Parcheesi, and it didn’t take long for them to regain their energy. The once-stuck pups were now running, playing, and wagging their tails nonstop.
A Happy Ever After
It wasn’t long before Bingo, Checkers, and Parcheesi each found their forever homes. Their transformation from helpless and trapped to joyful and thriving is a testament to the dedication of AAUI and the power of compassion.
The staff at AAUI admits they miss the playful trio, but they’re thrilled knowing the puppies are now living their best lives.
You can see more footage from their rescue here: