What is the practice of transferring pups from one mother to another called?

The practice of transferring pups from one mother to another is known as cross-fostering. This technique is typically employed to enhance the survival rates of the pups when the biological mother is either unable to care for them or if the litter is too large for her to manage adequately. By moving pups to a different mother who has a suitable environment and may have an adequate milk supply, the likelihood of the pups thriving increases. This practice is particularly common in laboratory animal settings as it helps maintain healthy litters and ensures that the animals are well cared for, thus facilitating better experimental outcomes.

Other terms like fostering and adoption can sometimes be used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they do not convey the specific intent and biological context of transferring pups between mothers while retaining the original mothers' role in the process.