OUR MISSION
Our mission is to relieve the suffering of the animals of Vieques. We spay and neuter as many animals as possible to reduce overpopulation on the island, we promote responsible pet ownership and animal care, and we adopt out as many animals as we can, many going off the island. We are a community oriented organization with services available to everybody and we are a source of education about animal care and animal rights. Activities and fund raisers are held throughout the year to help further our work.
OUR HISTORY
Vieques, Puerto Rico, a small island located off the mainland's east coast, for many years offered no veterinary or animal rescue services. During the early 1980's, a handful of concerned immigrants from the states and a few local residents took a serious interest in improving the welfare of the animals. They began by feeding the island's multitudinous strays and soliciting the help of veterinarians from Puerto Rico to sterilize them. By 1987, the Vieques Humane Society and Animal Rescue, Inc. was officially established as a non-profit organization. Today we still offer the only veterinary services on the island and have developed strong community based programs.
OUR TEAM
Our devoted staff is headed by Aleida Tolentino, Shelter Manager. Sheila Burgos is our receptionist . Ivelisse Corcino, Aida Martinez, Abigail Nieves and Carmen Santiago are shelter care givers who show their love and compassion in everything they do. Juanito Hernandez does everything from maintaining fences to construction to keeping cars running. Our board members are Barbara Rumore, President; Christa Lawson, Secretary and Treasurer; Penny Miller, Wendy Price, Celia Romero, Laura Cohen, Gillion Williams, Eneida Delerme, Carol Thompson and Dorothy Andrews, Susan Osborne, and Lee and Karen Vyboney. Two wonderful veterinarians, Pedro Watlington and Jose Santiago come to the clinic every week. We also have wonderful volunteers such as Tom Wright, Emily Dark, Caitlen Cullen, Margo and Joe (who are the best dog walkers!) and everybody plays an important role in the success of VHSAR.
