YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY Sponsored by Duffy’s Esperanza
Näla
2027 Calendar
Dear Friends of Vieques Humane Society—
This year, VHS celebrates a 40-year legacy of life-saving and compassionate care for animals on our small island. As a VHS co-founder, I’m grateful for 40 years of generous donors, volunteers, adopters, and partners who believed in our mission.
We believe every animal deserves to be safe, nurtured, cherished. Supporters make this work possible. Incorporated in 1987, VHS is the oldest 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization on Vieques and its only open-admission shelter. We are dedicated to humane care, pet wellness, and prevention of animal neglect—all supported through a low-cost community clinic, shelter, and active adoption and transport program. Thanks to you, hundreds of animals are healthy, safe, and find loving forever homes every year. DONATE • ADOPT • VOLUNTEER • FOLLOW
Vieques Humane Society & Animal Rescue, Inc. Barrio Santa Maria Rt 200 km 1.4 HC 2 Box 11616, Vieques, PR 00765 787.741.0209
VHS has survived devastating hurricanes, hard financial times, and overwhelming odds. But each year we strive to expand animal care and positive outcomes. This past year we: • Cleared our shelter twice—with every adoptable dog and cat transported to stateside forever homes • Expanded clinic hours with access to veterinary care and emergency services • Offered diagnostic services never before available on our island. I’m honored to remain part of this life-saving work. Our VHS calendar contest calls to mind the Sato Dog Shows we held years ago to bring our local community together to learn about the importance of vaccines, spay/neuter, and animal care. We gave trophies for prettiest tail, biggest ears, best trick, shiniest coat—you get the idea. The highlight of the show was the final award “sato más sato” – the best in show for the most quintessential-looking sato (usually a low-rider dog with a too-long body and oversized head and ears). Who’s the best in show in 2027? Honestly, I think it’s you! Your ongoing support makes all our “wins” possible. And I can’t thank you enough.
viequeshumanesociety.org viequeshumanesociety viequeshumanesocietypr
Sincerely,
Penny
Penny Miller, VHS Co-founder COVER: Näla Among the Hibiscus (Amapola)—A favorite in gardens across Puerto Rico. Näla’s human mom owns Kiany’s Paws Spa on Vieques and donates grooming services for VHS shelter dogs. ©2026-27 Vieques Humane Society & Animal Rescue, Inc. Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
treated animals
VHS has come such a long way from feeding hundreds Penny Miller e roadside in need on th a clinic. of desperate animals at the dump and administering before VHS had care along roadsides. Forty years ago, I carried out this work with a small but mighty group of volunteers who had a vision to end the suffering of our island animals. You, and others like you, have kept that vision alive and growing for 40 years! Today, animals thrive in our safe, well-maintained shelter and professional low-cost clinic. Happy endings happen every day at VHS because you care.
Penny’s sato, Miss Fuzzi, has her own picture book!
VHS Sato Dog Sh ow Penny & a VHS bos circa 1990s. ard m with their satos. ember
P.S. In loving memory of my fellow VHS founders: Chris Mitchell, Royce & Selenia Bleth, Miriam (Kitty) Kitterman, and Ann Cottrell Free. I feel so lucky to have met you and imagine you smiling down upon us as the work continues!
VH
NI
LU SA M
a v i h C & Mia
Mia and Chiva exemplify the marvelous journey of
abandoned kittens who arrive at Vieques Humane Society, are nurtured, and then adopted through our transport program. They left our little island by small plane to Puerto Rico’s main island where helping hands boarded them onto a flight to their forever home in Washington, DC. It’s been three years since that day — three years of growing with love. They still are kittens at heart and love to play with their many toys, look at birds and squirrels through the window, and jump onto laps and purr.
SPONSOR
January 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
New Year’s Day
3
4
5
6
7
Three Kings’ Day
10
11
8
9
New Moon
12
13
14
15
16
19
20
21
22
23
Natalicio de Eugenio María de Hostos
17
18
Full Moon Supermoon
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
31
S
December 2026
February 2027
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22
2 9 16 23
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
Nyx
Nyx was rescued from a Burger King parking lot on Puerto Rico’s main island when she was only three months old. Because someone with a big heart noticed and took her in, she is transformed from abandoned on the streets to living her best island life. These days, Nyx’s favorite past times are chilling at the park and taking long naps on the couch.
SPONSOR
February 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
National Freedom Day
7
8
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
Saturday
5
6
New Moon Solar Eclipse
Groundhog Day
9
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
Mardi Gras
14
15
16
Love Your Pets Day Valentine’s Day
21
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse
Presidents’ Day
22
National Walk Your Dog Day
23
24
25
26
27
International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
28 S
January 2027
M
T
W
T
F
1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31
S
March 2027
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
2 9 7 16 14 23 21 30 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
VH
NI
LU SA M
Ella
Ella was surrendered to VHS by someone moving from Vieques and unable to take her along. Sadly, this happens often on a small island with limited work opportunities. Lucky for Ella, another island family fell in love with her and made her “Princess of her Casa.” Ella’s personality and quirky ways keep them laughing and bring such love and joy. At nine years old, she’s still a kitten at heart!
SPONSOR
March 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
Monday
1
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
13
National Horse Protection Day
7
8
New Moon
14
15
National K9 Veterans Day
16
Daylight Saving Time Starts
21
28
23
PR Emancipation Day Full Moon
29
Easter Sunday
18
19
20
St. Patrick’s Day
22
Palm Sunday
17
25
26
National Puppy Day
30
Easter Monday
24
Spring Begins
27
Good Friday
31
February 2027
S
M
April 2027
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
T
F
S
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22
2 9 16 23
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 1 13 4 5 6 7 8 20 11 12 13 14 15 27 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
T
W
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
VH
NI
LU SA M
Dulce
Dulce was abandoned with five Chihuahuas on a remote Vieques beach. VHS responded immediately and brought them to safety. Dulce was the most skittish, but her sweet (dulce) nature showed no aggression. She just had to learn to trust again. A long-time VHS board member fell in love with her from afar. VHS arranged transport to Virginia. Rubi, another VHS rescue and Hurricane Maria (2017) survivor, became Dulce’s perfect helper dog. Slowly, Dulce grew less fearful and accepted her new happy place. Dulce and Rubi weigh only 6 pounds each, but they are a BIG presence in the lives of all who meet them.
SPONSOR
April 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
Monday
March 2027
M
May 2027 T
W
T
F
Wednesday
Thursday
1
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 1 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
4
S
Tuesday
Friday
2
3
9
10
S
5
April Fool’s Day
6
7
8
National Hug Your Dog Day
New Moon
11
12
13
14
15
16
19
20
National Cat Lady Day
25
17
Natalicio de José de Diego
National Pet Day
18
Saturday
26
21
Full Moon
27
22
Passover Begins
28
23
Earth Day
29
30
Passover Ends
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
24
a c i h C a c i h C
ChicaChica was found hiding for safety in a busy Vieques neighborhood. She was just a tiny 4-week-old kitten—all alone. No mama or littermates. Thank heavens for Good Samaritans who noticed a helpless animal and welcomed her into their home. VHS supports these kind and loving families with affordable veterinary care and spay/neuter services, hoping to limit other tiny kittens left to fend for themselves. ChicaChica now runs her adopted household! That’s such a happy ending for everyone.
SPONSOR
May 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday S
M
Monday
April 2027 T
W
T
F
S
S
M
1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 6 7 17 13 14 24 20 21 27 28
Tuesday
June 2027
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
T
W
T
F
S
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
Loyalty Day
2
3
4
5
6
Cinco de Mayo
9
10
11
12
7
8
14
15
New Moon
13
Mother’s Day
16
Armed Forces Day
17
18
19
20
21
22
28
29
Full Moon National Rescue Dog Day
23
24
25
World Turtle Day
30
31 Memorial Day
26
27
Ella
Ella is a “rescue dog” who rescues dogs and cats! As part of the VHS transport program, we fly cats and dogs from Vieques to northeastern U.S. It’s the first leg of their adoption journey. Ella’s dad is a dedicated stateside volunteer who meets VHS animals at the stateside airport and drives them to our adoption partners in New England. Ella goes along for the ride! Interested in being a driver or adoption partner? Contact hello@ viequeshumanesociety.org.
SPONSOR
June 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
Saturday
4
5
New Moon National Hug Your Cat Day
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
D-Day
13
Flag Day
20
21
Father’s Day
27
Full Moon
22
Summer Begins
28
23
24
25
26
Take Your Dog to Work Day
Noche de San Juan
29
Juneteenth
30 S
M
May 2027 T
W
T
F
S
S
M
July 2027 T
F
S
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
T
W
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
Thank you to all our 2027 calendar contest entrants– everyone is a winner!!
Gary
Some cats enjoy life outdoors as a community cat. In fact, some prefer it. That’s Gary. She (yes— she’s a girl) is a neighborhood “gato” who loves hiding out in gardens. She’s a bit shy and keeps her distance. But she knows where to find her food and a comfortable bed. Her “people” say she’s a sweet girl.
SPONSOR
July 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday S
M
6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28
Monday
June 2027
Tuesday
August 2027
Wednesday
Thursday
1
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 1 12 8 19 15 26 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
Friday
2
Saturday
3
New Moon
4
5
Independence Day
11
6
7
8
9
10
13
14
15
16
17
Pet Remembrance Day
12
Natalicio de Luis Muñoz Rivera
I Love Horses Day
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
26
27
28
29
30
31
Full Moon
25
Parents’ Day
Natalicio de Dr. José Celso Barbosa
National Sato (Mutt) Day
VH
NI
LU SA M
a d i r F & Izzy
Izzy & Frida were surrendered together when their owner left Vieques. VHS transported them to friends in Washington, DC, who often foster for VHS, arrange meet-and-greets in their area, and find forever homes for our island dogs. In this case, it was a spectacular “foster fail.” What good luck for these two dogs who are pretty much inseparable. They are almost always on top of one another, just like in this photo. Interested in being an adoption partner? Contact hello@ viequeshumanesociety.org
SPONSOR
August 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
1
Monday
2
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
Universal Birthday of Shelter Dogs (DOGust)
8
Tuesday
New Moon
International Cat Day
15
International Homeless Animals Day
Full Moon
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
National Dog Day
29
30
31 S
New Moon
M
July 2027 T
W
S
September 2027
T
F
S
T
W
T
F
S
1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 5 6 7 17 12 13 14 24 19 20 21 31 26 27 28
M
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
Sox
Sox and his sister Grey were adopted 10+ years ago in Massachusetts. They were tiny babies and so SCARED. Grey is still scared of everything – until she hears the treat bag! Sox and his family have now retired to coastal North Carolina where he and Grey alternate their days between catching bugs and hiding from visitors. Sox is famous for the Sox flop, pictured here.
SPONSOR
September 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
2
3
4
9
10
11
Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
5
6
7
8
Labor Day
12
13
Patriot Day
14
15
Grandparent’s Day
19
16
17
18
23
24
25
Full Moon
20
21
22
Fall Begins
26
27
28
29
30
New Moon
August 2027
S
October 2027
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
M
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 1 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 28 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31
T
W
T
F
S 2 9 16 23 30
e d n a r G Rio
Rio Grande was a welcome and unexpected gift—given to his new mom at the funeral of her beloved dog Biggie Smalls to help ease her sadness. Twenty-six other island dogs attended the funeral to give Biggie Smalls a memorable send-off. Originally named Rio, this tiny dog earned a big reputation and the name “Rio Grande” after he swam far out into the ocean to be with his mom. He’s a Vieques island staple, going everywhere with her, and everyone knows his name!
SPONSOR
October 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday S
Monday
September 2027 M
T
W
T
F
S
S
5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 7 18 14 25 21 28
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
November 2027 M
T
W
T
F
S
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
Friday
Saturday
2
National Black Dog Day
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Full Moon
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31 Halloween
National Black Cat Day
New Moon National Cat Day
& t a o b y v Gra e g a S y Lad
Gravyboat and Lady Sage were adopted at separate times from the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC. For 10+ years they have lived like happy siblings and benevolently observe all outdoor creatures through their favorite windows. Lady Sage is in charge of her adopted household, and Gravyboat is happy to be her jester. She’s a little spicy, but he’s all sweetness.
SPONSOR
November 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday
Monday
1
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
13
All Saints’ Day
7
8
Daylight Saving Time Ends
14
Full Moon Sadie Hawkins Day
Veterans Day
15
16
17
18
19
20
Discovery of Puerto Rico Day
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Thanksgiving
28
29
New Moon
30 S
Donate Today!
October 2027
M
T
W
T
F
1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31
S
S
December 2027 T
W
T
F
S
2 9 5 6 7 16 12 13 14 23 19 20 21 30 26 27 28
M
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
VH
NI
LU SA M
x a M , y e k Mic & Sprout
Mickey, Max, and Sprout are much more than pets. In the words of their new caregivers, “They are survivors and true ambassadors for what is possible when a community comes together to protect animals, support rescue efforts, and provide second chances.” Sprout was rescued from a beach, and Micky and Max were abandoned on the streets. They represent the many animals who, after being left to live on their own, can find protection, dignity, and a loving home—thanks to people who care and Vieques Humane Society!
R B L ND RUM
SPONSOR
December 2027
YEARS STRONG
VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY
Anniversary Edition
Sunday S 7 14 21 28
Monday
November 2027
January 2028
M
T
W
T
F
S
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 1 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
5
S
Tuesday
M
T
W
T
F
6
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
14
15
16
17
18
21
22
23
24
25
S
7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
12
13
Full Moon
19
20
Winter Begins
26
Kwanzaa Begins
27
28
New Moon
Hanukkah Begins
29
30
31
New Year’s Eve Last chance to donate in 2027
Christmas
s d r a w A e c i Judges’ Cho
(for a pet who calls Vieques home)
6 special categories, picked by our judges from 86 amazing entries