Ed Edgar, moved to Luquillo, Puerto Rico in 2013 from Connecticut.  Once Ed got to know the town, he started meeting the hundreds of cats that live in this cozy beach town.  Ed is now Island Dog's official cat care giver, feeding and caring for over 100+ cats and kittens a day.  He and his volunteers work daily to sterilize and make sure the cats are happy and safe.  You can view his work and donate directly at www.islandcat.converseity.com or donate directly on our page here.

Kristin Galletta and her family began opening their hearts and home to our island dogs in 2012.   They have adopted 3 of our most wonderful dogs and foster dogs whenever we call on them!!  Kristin has a way with certain dogs who may need a little more training.  We are forever grateful for her patience and dedication!   Kristin helps us with fostering, airport and statewide transport, home checks, and adoption coordinating.  

Luis Visajel and Geraldo Rivera Rosario are dedicated volunteers of Island Dog since 2011.  They help us with foster care, feeding, sterilization transportation, and they sell our merchandise in their shops in Las Croabas, Puerto Rico (in the bio bay park.)  Visit their gift shop the Salamander to purchase Island Dog gear!  Luis & Geraldo reside in Ceiba, Puerto Rico with seven island rescues, 2 cats, and 2 horses.

Betty Lynn Waters began volunteering for Island Dog in 2009 when she adopted Julie, a Dead Dog Beach rescue. Betty Lynn was haunted by how the dogs in Puerto Rico were treated. Betty Lynn assists us by operating our mailing list, fostering dogs, airport transportation, and helping raise funds and awareness. She is the proud momma Lola, and Sandy (Julie has passed away) -- all Island Dog rescues. Betty Lynn resides in Maryland with her husband Steve, and son Travis. In their spare time they operate a fishing charter boat, proudly named, "Island Dog."  Check them out here ​

Terri Barker. Terri assists us with fundraising and airport pick-ups in New Jersey & Philadelphia!  She is the proud mom of Island Dog Bowie, who was rescued from the streets of San Juan nearly dead.

Sally Strange became involved in Island Dog in 2010.  An avid SCUBA diver and beach lover, she discovered our name and became curious.  After researching Island Dog and discovering the horrible homeless dog problem in Puerto Rico, she began to donate medications and volunteering her veterinary services in Puerto Rico.  Today Sally works to help us with office administration, marketing and on-hand veterinary medicine.  When Sally is not in Puerto Rico helping Island Dog, she is the Chief Operating Officer & Veterinary Technician for an animal surgical specialty practice in Annapolis, Maryland.  Sally resides in Annapolis, Maryland, with her son Roane, her twin daughters Devyn & Kayden and rescue pit-bull mix Vayda.

​Alison Winsko resides in Absecon, New Jersey.  She became involved with Island Dog in 2008, when her heart screamed to help after watching us on the Ellen Degenerous Show.  When Alison is not working full-time as the Internet Gaming Manager at Resorts Casino, she is a key fund-rasing coordinator for Island Dog.  She chairs an annual fundraiser held in Atlantic City.   She also assists with festival appearances, shelter placements, awareness initiatives, fostering, and dog transportation.    Alison is the proud mom of Tony, Bella, and Bessy -- all Island Dog Rescues and her two Georgia rescues Martha & Missy !!  Together they live her two rescue kitties, Smokey & Peanut.  

Eileen Oprins is a nurse in Sycamore, Illinois.  She became a volunteer for Island Dog after reading about our work in PEOPLE Magazine in May 2008.   Although Eileen has 6 kids, she still makes time to foster and care for our island doggies.  Eileen coordinates our foster care in Chicago, helping place hundreds of our island dogs into forever homes.  Eileen also travels to Puerto Rico frequently to help us administer medications and perform medical procedures to dogs in need.  

Shirley, the Island Dog Mascot

In 2010, Shirley and her 6-week-old puppy were dumped on Los Machos Beach in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.  Katie Block, director of Island Dog, found them, but the pup had a stomach condition and did not survive.   However, Shirley -- almost hairless at the time-- stole Katie's heart and has since adopted Katie as her mom.  Shirley enjoys greeting and playing with the Island Dog pups at the Dog Hotel.  When she is not working, she can be found swimming, surfing and sunning on the beach.  You can LIKE Shirley on her Facebook page by clicking here!

In 1999, Katie Block moved from her home town of Baltimore, MD to Fajardo, Puerto Rico.  There she worked at the El Conquistador Resort.  She was looking for paradise.  Instead, she found thousands of emaciated & homeless dogs wondering the beaches.  A huge animal lover, Katie immediately started a crusade to rescue and help the dogs.  She convinced hotel guests to adopt dogs, and even enlisted her parents to help her send dogs to the States.  Reality hit hard when she found herself spending her rent money on vet bills.   In 2002, she returned to Baltimore to complete her Bachelors degree.  After graduation, she traveled extensively around the world, but always found herself returning to the same place: Puerto Rico.  During these trips Katie realized that her passion to help the animals in the U.S. Caribbean was to great to ignore.  In the summer of 2006, she created Island Dog Inc.  Today, Katie works as our director from our Island Dog office in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.  Daily she can be found in the local communities teaching and assisting locals about proper pet care and monitoring Red Collar Dogs.  She continuously works to raise awareness around the world about the plight of these animals.   Her ultimate goal is to create a Caribbean-wide spay and neuter program.    Katie lives in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, with her two rescue satos, Shirley & Molly and her two rescued cats Kooper & Turtle.