A LITTLE ISLAND DOG WITH BIG SANDCASTLE DREAMS

Stray animals have always been a problem in Puerto Rico, but Hurricane Maria made the problem a lot worse for the dogs and cats there. About 130,000 people fled their damaged homes from this hurricane for the mainland, leaving behind their belongings, including their pets. The Humane Society of Puerto Rico estimates that the stray population has spiked with up to half a million stray dogs and 1 million cats. Even with some loving and caring Puerto Rican people that would rescue many of the animals off the street, the growing number of stray and abandoned animals on this small island became obvious to visitors. But that wasn't all bad, because many of these visitors now provide food and shelter and maybe even a good home for each and every stray dog and cat on the island. To date, tens of thousands of these dogs and cats have been provided food, shelter and some loving foster homes by caring citizens of Puerto Rico. Slowly, charities from many countries are identifying these kind souls for the tireless work they do and are offering financial help and placement into loving homes. It takes them all to help these innocent animals and they each don't consider their work done until each and every animal is off the street.