KANSAS CITY (AP) – A Kansas City animal nonprofit has rescued a litter of six stray puppies from the wintry weather.

KMBC-TV reports Chain of Hope removed the black and brown puppies on Monday before temperatures reached as low as 15 degrees. The puppies are barely old enough to open their eyes and were found under a tarp in a wooded area.

Director Kate Quigley says the group has unsuccessfully tried to trap the mother, who wouldn’t leave her babies. She hopes they can capture the mother using fresh food now that her puppies have been rescued.

Quigley says a bystander alerted the group to the animals.

She says the puppies will be adopted when they’re older.