This shelter rescued more than 100 dogs from Puerto Rico. It plans to save hundreds more.
The bus pulled into the parking lot at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, just after 6 p.m.
As the doors opened, dogs could be heard barking from inside.
鈥淭hese babies don鈥檛 deserve to live in an outdoor run in the elements and get sick and die,鈥� Lauree Simmons, owner of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, told sister station WPBF. 鈥淭hey deserve better than that.鈥�
And that鈥檚 exactly why Simmons brought the dogs in from Puerto Rico.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue flew 126 dogs in Friday, rescuing them from overcrowded shelters and dangerous streets. The dogs were fed and bathed, and veterinarians checked them. Most were healthy, but many were not.
Aside from heartworm and ticks, some had broken bones, the result of speeding cars in Puerto Rico. All are now being treated.
Simmons said half of the dogs will be moved to shelters in the Northeast.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e got tons of room up at their shelters and plenty of adoption applications,鈥� Simmons said. 鈥淪o, we鈥檒l fill them.鈥�
The other half will stay South Florida, hoping to find their forever homes.
Simmons has heard the criticism from people who say she should focus her rescue efforts on animals closer to home. Her response is that while she mainly focuses on needy animals in South Florida, she won鈥檛 turn her back on other dogs in need.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 care where the dog is born,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f the dog needs help, and we can help it, I鈥檓 going to do that.鈥�
This was Big Dog Ranch Rescue's second trip to Puerto Rico the past month.
Simmons said she plans to make at least six more trips to rescue hundreds of more dogs.
鈥淓very single life is worth it,鈥� she said. 鈥淓very single life matters.鈥�