A Whole New World of Rescue
In December 2024, I was honored to take part in Lucky Dog’s annual volunteer trip to Puerto Rico, not only because it was my first visit to Puerto Rico but also because I was eager to witness and support the partner organizations that have sent us so many incredible dogs and cats. In fact, some of my favorite Lucky Dogs have been Satos— what Puerto Ricans call their street dogs!
During our two-day trip, we spent time with five different animal welfare organizations that do amazing work—PR Animals, Alianza, Love for Satos, and Save a Gato—as well as at the Humane Society of Puerto Rico, one of only five municipal shelters in all of Puerto Rico. Each of these organizations showed a unique and enthusiastic commitment to serving the island’s animals the best they could, with all five having humble but functional and well-maintained facilities packed full of animals needing a way out.
Although local adoptions are rare, the numbers are gradually increasing, partly due to a slow but steady shift in the community’s attitude toward animal welfare and adoption—a challenge largely driven by the efforts of this overburdened rescue community. Even though we knew we couldn’t be the ultimate saviors for most of the animals we encountered, giving them a few minutes of attention and love and a clean kennel felt so good.
That said, we were able to change the lives of 33 dogs and cats forever—what a privilege and thrill! Thirteen Lucky Dog staff and volunteers brought 16 animals waiting for a way off the island back with us on our return flights. Another 17 animals were rescued off the streets during our trip. They arrived at the Lucky Dog Rescue Campus in Florence, SC, in late December to prepare them for their upcoming final journey to the D.C. area. It was so amazing to be a part of these animals’ freedom journeys—both saving dogs and cats off the streets, as well as flying back to D.C. with rescued puppies. These were such novel, extraordinary, and impactful experiences, both for me and the animals.
Throughout the trip, I felt a deep connection with my fellow volunteers, the animals we encountered, and the incredible rescuers in Puerto Rico. Each evening was spent sharing stories of the animals we’ve helped and soaking in the sense of community we had built. I left with my passion for rescue reignited, inspired to bring a spark of the zealous dedication I witnessed in Puerto Rico back to our vital work in D.C. and to advocate for their remarkable causes and efforts.
I am profoundly grateful to be part of a rescue like Lucky Dog’s, which extends its help to those in need—and the need in Puerto Rico is immense and so deserving. This trip opened my eyes to an entirely new realm of rescue—a world I am deeply honored to have experienced and genuinely excited to support for years to come.