Hundreds of dogs that were rescued from Puerto Rico in the aftermath of hurricanes that caused significant damage to the island are waiting patiently for new families to adopt them and give them forever homes.
Ross Licitra, the executive director of the Monmouth County SPCA, Eatontown, said the organization has a longstanding relationship with animal rescue agencies in Puerto Rico and has helped those agencies deal with an overpopulation of dogs on the island.
“In the aftermath of the storms, we stepped up our rescue effort to do what we can. We are concerned about the welfare of the animals and the about the people who were concerned about their pets,” he said.
“We are very fortunate to be where people love the idea of rescuing animals that come from storm-ravaged areas,” Licitra said. “While people can’t go to those areas to rescue the dogs themselves, they can come to us and give a dog the life it deserves. The dogs are beautiful and very domesticated. When we get dogs here they fly off the shelves.”
During a recent weekend, 300 dogs from Puerto Rico were flown into New Jersey; 200 dogs were flown into Atlantic City and 100 were flown into Newark. Representatives of several tri-state rescue organizations were waiting to take the dogs to their new destinations.
Licitra said the animals from Puerto Rico are undergoing medical and behavioral assessments and will be placed up for adoption. He said when the staff determines a dog is ready for adoption it means the animal is healthy and ready to leave for its new home. Licitra said each dog is spayed or neutered, given the appropriate vaccines and implanted with a microchip for identification purposes.
The effort to bring the dogs to New Jersey from Puerto Rico was organized by St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, Madison, along with Puerto Rican rescue groups El Faro de los Animales and Island Dog, according to a press release.
The need to get the animals out of Puerto Rico originally came from the devastating hurricanes that hit the island in September. It has been reported that since the storms struck, there are still regions of the island without power or running water, forcing families to give up their pets to shelters that are already inundated with animals, according to the press release.
“It is incredible to see so many organizations working together to save these animals,” said MCSPCA Animal Care Manager Kathy Miles, who was present for each flight’s drop-off. “Watching the transition from being scared in a crate to wagging their tail with our staff members when they arrive to our shelter is always heartwarming.”
During a recent visit to the MCSPCA’s space at the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, by a reporter, staff members could be seen playfully interacting with some of the newcomers, who they call “satos” (mutt). The staff members said that as they tried to determine each dog’s breed, the decision could come down to looking at a dog and making a best guess.
“You look at them and that is the breed they become,” volunteer Janice Nachbar said.
For more information about how to adopt a dog, email adoptions@monmouthcountyspca.org or call 732-542-5962.
MCSPCA administrators said the most significant way members of the public can help the rescue effort is by making monetary donations toward the Second Chance Medical Fund, which is used when animals need immediate care.
Donations may be made by calling 732-440-1556 or by mail to MCSPCA Second Chance Medical Fund, 260 Wall St., Eatontown, NJ 07724. Necessary items for the influx of animals can be purchased on the shelter’s Amazon Wishlist and shipped directly to the shelter. The donation page is at http://bit.ly/2FInoiB and the Amazon Wishlist page is at http://a.co/5MxNsEx
Licitra said that in addition to offering dogs for adoption, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs are living at the shelter and waiting for their forever families to take them home, too. He said the organization accepts animals under any conditions from individuals who can no longer care for them.
In other news, the MCSPCA announced that the 24th annual Spring Dog Walk and Pet Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 28 at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. The event is held in conjunction with corporate partner Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.
According to a press release, registration for the event may be made at www.mcspcadogwalk.org as an individual or a team. Participants will raise money for the animals by collecting pledges from family members, friends and co-workers. There will be prizes for the top fundraising teams.
The event will feature more than 100 vendors, live music by The Wag, onsite pet adoptions, food trucks, activities for children, and contests for people and pets. Sponsors and vendors are being sought. For more information, call 732-440-1548.
The MCSPCA provides services to the community including pet adoptions, low cost spay/neuter services, a weekly vaccine clinic, dog training and behavior, humane law enforcement, lost and found, trap neuter and return for free-roaming cats, humane education, pet therapy, and a pet food pantry that helps provide pet food and supplies for low-income families. The organization relies solely on donations, according to the press release.
Staff writer Kelly Giuliano contributed to this article.
