It Was Love At First Sight For Dogs And Dolphins During Valentine's Day Debut At Aquarium

CLEARWATER, FL — A litter of puppies found abandoned beneath a car in Puerto Rico were pampered and paraded at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in the hopes that pet lovers would fall in love at first sight.

The nine 8-week-old lab mix pups were rescued and flown to Tampa where they were bathed, pampered and dressed in designer doggie outfits for their Valentine's Day meetup with resident dolphins Nicholas and Hope at the aquarium.

In honor of Valentine's Day, the puppies were named Snuggles, Sweetie, Valentina, Lover Boy, Cuddles, Cupid, Valentino, Rose and Sugar.

The impromptu puppy parade was arranged by long-time aquarium volunteer and foster puppy parent Karen Altieri and her husband, Jan Majewski, of Largo, in the hopes of arranging a permanent love match with an animal lover.

Altieri is a volunteer with the Pinellas County-based global humanitarian and animal welfare organization, Compassion Kind, which was responsible for rescuing the pups and flying them to Tampa.

“We chose to reach out to potential adopters with CMA because of my association as a longtime volunteer with them," Altieri said. "Their mission of rescue, rehabilitation and release is in sync with the Compassion Kind mission to rescue, care for and adopt out as many animals in need as possible.”

Once a month, volunteers with the nonprofit foster-based rescue group flies at-risk dogs and cats, who would otherwise have no chance of survival, from the Caribbean islands to Tampa.

“These nine pups have raised our eight-year foster total to 200," Altieri said. "We love working with Compassion Kind and these pups are getting visitors to our home daily. They spread love, puppy breath and kisses to friends, neighbors and others."

“Our organization receives hundreds of calls and messages asking us to help with animal rescues," Compassion Kind founder Aja Estro said. "We always have a desperate need for foster homes in the Tampa Bay Area, and we are also actively looking for a building to house emergency animal intakes.”

Former professional ballet and modern dancer Aja-Nikiya Estro is a longtime activist for animals and underserved human populations. She founded Compassion Kind in 2014 "to give a voice to the voiceless." Since then, the organization has saved more than 7,000 animals.

The organization began working with rescue groups in Puerto Rico in 2018 after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory. A week after the hurricane struck, a cadre of volunteers arrived in Puerto Rico loaded with pet food and supplies. They worked around the clock with local rescuers to reunite pets that had been separated from their owners. Those that weren't claimed returned with the rescue group to Pinellas County.

The following year, the rescue group stepped in when Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc in the Bahamas, rescuing 14 dogs and cats.

By the time Hurricane Laura struck Louisiana and Hurricane Sally battered Alabama and the Florida Panhandle in 2020, the rescue group had its hurricane rescue plan firmly in hand and were able to get into stricken areas within hours of the devastation.

In addition to responding to disasters, Compassion Kind has developed a network of volunteers in the Caribbean who alert the group when they come across hard-to-place dogs and cats.

Estro recently shot video in Puerto Rico showing dozens of abandoned dogs seen in parking lots across the island.

"It’s hard to imagine unless you experience it first hand, but we are often asked why we rescue in Puerto Rico. This is why," she said. "Dozens of dogs in any given parking lot across the island. Completely adoptable dogs, seeking love, food and shelter. Some may think it’s a good life, being free and roaming with their pack. But the reality is they die from heartworm and Erlichia, poisoning, getting hit by cars and so many other dangers."

This year, Compassion Kind plans to host spay/neuter clinics in Puerto Rico to help alleviate the problem of so many unwanted dogs.

"We are dedicated to being a part of a solution to end this suffering long term," Estro said. "Through education, rescue and spay/neuter programs, we know it’s possible."

In addition to finding permanent homes for dogs and cats, the nonprofit is always in need of people willing to provide foster homes for rescued animals. Those unable to foster a pet can help by donating blankets, toys, crates, food and money.

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