WATCH: MSPCA Takes In Rescued Dogs From Puerto Rico

MASSACHUSETTS—Last week, the MSPCA took in 34 cats from St. John in the Virgin Islands. Fourteen of those cats already have new homes in Massachusetts.

This week, the MSPCA announced that the organization rescued eight dogs from Puerto Rico, which was all but leveled by Hurricane Maria last month. The dogs arrived at the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ, on Monday night and then driven to Massachusetts.

All eight dogs — three adults and five two-month old puppies — are in quarantine at the MSPCA-Nevins Farm in Methuen, with veterinarians stating that they appear to be in good health and the puppies are playful and social.

These dogs are called Satos, a common term to describe a "street dog" in Puerto Rico. The dogs will be evaluated over the next few days before they are placed for adoption, and all will be spayed or neutered.

As with the rescued cats, all of these dogs were homeless and living in a shelter on the island.

Said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell, in a statement: “We’re doing what we have always done: ensuring we are ready and able to take in animals from areas of the world badly impacted by recent extreme weather. We’ll do our best to ensure all of these dogs are placed in wonderful homes. Now more than ever the international animal welfare organization needs to come together to ensure we can protect the most vulnerable animals among us, and I’m so proud that we’re doing that.”

Photo Credit: MSPCA-Angell