“They’re extremely affectionate.”
Puppies Abandoned in a Cardboard Box Find Hope on a Small Spanish Island
On the remote island of El Hierro, off the coast of Spain, a small nonprofit called El Juaclo is often the only line of defense for the island’s most vulnerable animals. As the island’s sole animal rescue, El Juaclo handles a constant stream of calls — but some are more heartbreaking than others.
Recently, one such call came in: a litter of puppies had been found abandoned in a cardboard box near a garbage heap.
A local resident discovered the box while taking out the trash and immediately alerted emergency services, who then contacted El Juaclo. Volunteer rescuer Vanesa rushed to the scene.
What she found was devastating.
The tiny puppies were weak, dehydrated, and piled on top of one another — barely clinging to life. Vanesa carefully gathered them up and brought them to Eva, an experienced foster mom who provides emergency care for rescued animals.
Safe at last in Eva’s home, the puppies finally began to rest. They eagerly lapped up food and soaked in the warmth and affection they had been denied.
“These puppies are extremely affectionate,” a representative from El Juaclo told The Dodo. “They need a lot of human contact.”
Despite the cruel start to their lives, the puppies were remarkably trusting — a testament to their resilient spirits and the gentle hands that rescued them.
El Juaclo hopes that this rescue will serve as a wake-up call for local authorities. Stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws could prevent tragedies like this from repeating.
Once the puppies are healthy enough, they’ll travel to Tenerife, where another rescue group will help continue their care and place them with loving families.
From a dirty cardboard box to warm beds and a future filled with love, these puppies are finally on their path to the life they deserve.