The vast majority of the pets in our care come to us from Virginia shelters where their lives are at risk before we take them. Some come to us from local pet guardians who are not able to keep their pets even with the use of our considerable pet retention support services. Occasionally, we will take into our care pets from somewhere outside of our state when we believe that they are at particular risk and we are in a unique position to step in and help save them. Never before last week had we taken pets from the island of Nevis. (Nevis is an island in the Leeward Island chain which is part of the West Indies, and it was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.) The Richmond SPCA now has seven lovely and very fortunate dogs here who came to us from Nevis. Most of them are a type of dog that is sometimes referred to as a “coconut retriever.”
The story of how they got to us is a wonderful one of human devotion to saving and protecting these very vulnerable dogs. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine went to Nevis on a family vacation. While there, she came upon a precious puppy who seemed to be all alone and was trapped inside a fenced area. The puppy, desperate to stay with my friend, managed to extract herself from the fence. My friend then sought to take the puppy to an animal shelter. That is when my friend learned that there was only one shelter on Nevis, and it was in the process of closing for good. She came to know two British couples who had been working with the shelter for many months and were very concerned to find the way to save the dogs in the shelter from being simply turned out on the island to fend for themselves. The treatment of dogs on Nevis can be brutal, their chances for long-term survival are poor and their deaths are often miserable.
So, my friend contacted me and we began to discuss how the Richmond SPCA could help her and these two dedicated couples to save these dogs. It was an effort that was quite unusual for us, but we felt it was important that we help them save these dogs’ lives. The five of them found the way, which was quite complicated, to get health certificates and have the dogs flown to the United States on several different flights. We agreed to take seven of the dogs, and they have been working to place the others in the US. They have driven the dogs great distances to ensure that they reach sheltering organizations who have agreed to help. It has been challenging and time consuming, but they have been deeply committed to not letting any of these dogs die.
The Nevis dogs we agreed to take arrived here in two groups last week. We now have in our care two puppies, one adult male named Epperson and four light brown females (dubbed “the golden girls” for obvious reasons) named Bluebell, Star, Coby and Saffy. Epperson is a calm, sweet, easy going and affectionate boy even though his leg bears the scar of a machete that was still lodged in it when he arrived at the shelter on Nevis. The golden girls are all quite nervous and will need time to adjust and feel safe in their new life. They all are gentle and loving. Our staff is showering them with affection and quiet, patient attention to help them come to feel secure.
Photo courtesy of Erin Edgerton (click to enlarge)
The devotion of the humans involved in this rescue effort has touched my heart. My friend and these two couples have sacrificed enormous amounts of their time and their personal resources to make sure that these precious dogs were not left to a terrible fate in Nevis. Thanks to them, these dogs made it here safely. That outcome was not an easy one to achieve, but they made sure it happened. These dogs will spend the rest of their lives in loving homes.
The dogs involved in this rescue effort have shown us yet again what amazing resilience our canine friends possess and how touching is their bond to humans. I marvel at the ability of dogs to deal with change and adversity and to accept and return human love despite life experiences that might well have turned them against the human race. These seven dogs will need time for us to provide the medical attention and behavioral support they need, but before long, they will be ready to start their new lives as Virginians. I know our community will welcome them.
Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.
Such a touching, heartwarming story! I felt so happy and hopeful reading it. It is such a great feeling hearing about good things happening to homeless animals with little hope of ever having the kind of homes and love they deserve. The Richmond SPCA has made these types of dreams come true many times over, and we are unbelievably fortunate to have them here in RVA. Thanks so very, very much Richmond SPCA!
Posted by: Karen Gammon | April 30, 2018 at 05:42 PM
You all do such amazing work!! I’m so thankful you’re there, doing what you do. I know it can be heartbreaking at times but you do so much good for the animals! Thank you all. ❤️❤️❤️
Posted by: Missy Carney | May 02, 2018 at 08:50 PM