Fall 2026 Newsletter
Seven Puppies. Six Second Chances.
They arrived dangerously sick. Your kindness gave them a chance to survive.
I
n late summer, an unwanted litter of seven little husky-mix puppies came through our doors after their mother, an unspayed family pet, escaped her yard and became pregnant by a stray dog. When her family couldn’t find homes for the babies, they turned to Vieques Humane Society for help. The puppies were adorable. They were also dangerously sick. Severe flea infestations, hookworms, and other parasites left them extremely anemic. One puppy’s gums were almost completely white, a frightening sign of just how much her tiny body was suffering. Sadly, one of the seven was too weak to recover and had to be humanely euthanized.
For the other six, healing took time. They received deworming medication, preventives, and lots of supportive care. Two continued their recovery in foster homes, while the others received plenty of attention and love from caring volunteers. Slowly, they grew stronger. The tired, sick puppies who arrived at VHS began eating, playing, and finally feeling like puppies again.
Six little survivors got the care they needed, and four are already “home.” That’s what your kindness can do.
Thank you from all the animals saved by your amazing love!
Continued, over
Continued from cover...
Chipo Was Hurt. Alone. Terrified. This frightened little Chihuahua needed more than medical care.
I ave The puppies hm ed. been transfor And we have wonderful news! As of early September, four have already been adopted, while one puppy remains in a foster home, and only one is still at VHS waiting for a family of their own.
magine being all alone in a remote area, badly injured, and having no idea what to do or whom you could trust.
That was Chipo’s reality when he was found in Vieques Verde, a rural area on the western end of the island with no electricity or water. He arrived at Vieques Humane Society absolutely terrified. He cowered in his kennel, his little body tense with fear as he watched every movement around him. And he was hurting. Chipo’s tail was badly broken, with a portion of it already severely infected. X-rays helped our veterinary team determine the extent of his injury and the care he would need. Ultimately, about one-third of his tail had to be amputated to remove the damaged portion so he could begin recovering. But while our veterinary team cared for his injury, something else began to happen. The little dog who had arrived so frightened slowly realized he was safe.
Their mama’s story has changed, too. On September 8, she was spayed at VHS and returned to her family, making sure there will never be another unexpected litter. From treating six dangerously sick puppies to providing the spay/ neuter care that prevents more unwanted litters, your support makes this work possible.
He began warming up to our staff, allowing the people who had once seemed so scary to comfort and care for him. Behind all that fear was a sweet little dog who simply needed the chance to trust. Today, his broken tail is shorter. But the frightened dog who first came through our doors is standing a little taller. Your kindness makes moments like this possible. It means an injured animal can receive immediate medical care, and a scared little dog can discover that, from now on, people are looking out for him.
He arrived too frightened to trust. Your kindness gave him gentle hands to help him heal.
Every life is precious and every act of kindness can change a life.
A Little Puppy Who Had Lost Her Spark Maggie arrived sick, hurting, and seemingly without hope.
L
ook at Maggie in that “before” photograph. Curled up on the ground, head down, and eyes closed. She hardly LOOKED like a puppy at all. At only five months old, Maggie should have been racing around, chasing toys, getting into trouble, and discovering a world that felt exciting and safe. Instead, she looked exhausted. A family found Maggie near the Lucila Franco neighborhood and brought her to Vieques Humane Society. We don’t know how long she had been on her own or what she had experienced during the first few months of her life. We only knew that she was suffering and needed us right away. Severe mange had spread across much of Maggie’s body. Her skin was inflamed, irritated, and painful, with large patches of fur already gone. She was uncomfortable, withdrawn, and desperately needed veterinary care. Because of caring friends like you, that care was waiting. Our veterinary team began treating Maggie with medications and therapies to soothe her damaged skin, treat her mange, and help her body recover.
When Maggie desperately needed help, you made sure care was waiting. And slowly, something wonderful began to happen. Her skin started healing. Her coat began returning. She started feeling better. And Maggie lifted her head. The second photograph says the rest. There she is — sitting up, brighteyed, smiling, and beginning to look like the happy young dog she was always meant to be. Maggie’s story isn’t finished yet. But your kindness has already changed where it’s going. And when the next frightened, hurting animal arrives at our doors, your generosity helps make sure hope — and healing — are waiting. Maggie’s story is still being written. But because of you, its next chapter looks very different from its first. Your kindness means that when a sick, injured, or suffering animal arrives unexpectedly at our doors, we can give them the medical care they desperately need, and the chance to discover just how good life can feel.
Thanks to you, dogs like Chipo and Maggie were given a new beginning.
Letter from the Executive Director Your support has given us much to celebrate.
Dear Friends,
Look what you made possible in 2026
This year has brought its share of challenges to Vieques Humane Society, but it has also given us so much to celebrate. More animals needed us. During the first eight months of 2026, we welcomed 155 cats and dogs into our care, including 33% more dogs than during the same period last year. Kitten season hit especially hard, with 48 cats coming through our doors in July and August alone. And every time the need grew, you were there.
155
Island’s first & pet x-ray
only
You helped us care for those kittens through our annual Kitten Shower. You helped make lifesaving transports possible when our shelter was stretched beyond capacity. You helped provide medical care, food, shelter, and second chances to animals like the ones you’ve met in these pages.
Cate with a The need for affordable veterinary flight angel care grew, too. From January through August, our clinic provided 1,234 visits for island pets, a 6% increase over last year. At the same time, we achieved full-time veterinary technician coverage and expanded our Friday hours, helping us be there for even more animals and the people who love them.
And here’s something I’m especially proud to VHS emptied our share — for more than ten years, no animal at shelter twice! VHS has been euthanized simply because we needed the space. Our live release rate has also grown to 90.3%. We know families everywhere are feeling the pressure of rising living expenses and veterinary costs, and shelters and rescues are seeing the impact. Here on Vieques, we’re grateful that when an animal or family needs help, VHS can be here. And we’re here because you are. Thank you for making all of this possible.
animals welcomed into our care
131
animals safely left our care
59
adoptions into loving homes
48
animals transported to rescue partners
1,234
clinic visits January through August
90.3%
lifesaving rate
ZERO
animals euthanized for space for more than ten years and counting
With gratitude, Cate Johnston, Executive Director
Your support helps make these moments possible. Every donation helps VHS give rescues care, safety and love while they wait to be adopted.