It was a hot day in early December when a volunteer showed up to open the gates of Sgt. Pepper’s Friends in Aruba. Outside the fence was an unpleasant surprise — a couple of taped-up cardboard boxes with some holes punched in the side.
Facebook/Sgt Pepper’s Friends
Through one of the holes, the animal rescue volunteer could see a small furry body pressing herself to the opening.
They brought the boxes inside the fence to a shady place in the parking lot and opened the flaps.
Inside was a litter of 8-week-old puppies, all huddled together. They were clearly uncomfortable but so grateful to be with people again.
“The puppies were hot and thirsty,” Dayenne, rescue manager at Sgt. Pepper’s Friends, told The Dodo. “They had ticks and fleas, but were definitely socialized by people as they were happy to see the volunteers.”
There is always a risk of parvo with abandoned puppies, so rescue workers had to be careful to keep them separated from the other dogs until they could be fully assessed, dewormed and vaccinated. And this is always a challenge when there are so many dogs in need.
“The issue is that when we are full, like always, we don’t really have anywhere to put them,” Dayenne said.
Facebook/Sgt Pepper’s Friends
These are far from the first boxes of pups left on the rescue’s doorstep. In the last six months, boxes of dogs have been abandoned outside the rescue twice. Next door, the spay and neuter clinic, Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA), has experienced the same thing.
When the puppies get a clean bill of health, they’ll be adoptable on the island and in Toronto. They will be available to go to rescue partners in the Netherlands as of 4 months of age, and to the U.S. at 6 months old.
Facebook/Sgt Pepper’s Friends
“We used to adopt out many puppies monthly to the U.S.,” Dayenne said. “Since August 24, that is sadly no longer possible due to the new CDC rules. Dogs have to be at a minimum of 6 months now.”
The new regulations have meant big changes for the rescue, as they no longer have space for as many puppies. However, they are working closely with the AWA to spay and neuter the stray dogs and cats on Aruba. And for these island puppies, thanks to a caring rescue worker, a bright future awaits.
To help these puppies and Sgt. Pepper’s Friends, you can learn more about donating, ordering supplies, volunteering and adopting here.
