Angels Helping Animals Worldwide (AHAW) is the brainchild of Leslie Hurd, a longtime Vineyard resident who has been rescuing animals since college — for example, by working with the MSPCA on the Island in the ’90s, doing, among other things, humane education with children in the school system, and with the elderly using pets as therapy.
The MSPCA Island branch closed in 2009 due to a complex combination of factors. In 2014, Hurd founded AHAW with the help of a few dedicated volunteers to more directly rescue dogs herself. In the U.S. alone, about 1 million animals are euthanized annually. AHAW works tirelessly through a coordinated effort to find “forever homes” for dogs, and thus to eliminate the need for euthanasia. The number of dogs that find loving homes is impressive. Hurd says, “We are happy to say we adopt between 200 and 300 dogs a year on the Vineyard.”
The 501(c)(3) organization, which relies 100 percent on donations and grants, brings rescues from areas with an overabundance of stray, homeless, and endangered animals to those with a shortage of adoptable pets, and facilitates their adoption. AHAW strives to be truly worldwide. It rescues dogs from islands devastated by hurricanes, earthquake-prone areas, communities in need, puppy mills in Pennsylvania, death-row dogs in New York, and regions with overpopulation due to a lack of spay-and-neuter programs. AHAW also saves dogs from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Bermuda, and locally.
So how do these far-flung pups eventually come to the Island? Hurd explains, “The rescue dogs travel in many different ways, including private charter flights, private transport companies, Pilots N Paws Rescue, with travelers on commercial airlines, and even traveling on a cargo ship from Bermuda.”
The dogs are fully medically vetted, receive necessary care, and undergo a two-day quarantine before being put up for adoption.
The organization posts eligible dogs on its website, as well as on Facebook, Petfinder, and Rescue Me. Hurd explains, “After an interested adopter fills out an application, we interview them and do extensive reference checks, including with their veterinarian.” The potential adopters then meet the dog to see if they are a match: “Many people foster to adopt, so they might take the dog for two or three weeks and then decide if it’s a good match.”
AHAW is dear to the heart of Allison Roberts, MV Times features editor and writer. When she and her husband were searching for a dog, they discovered a beautiful young Great Pyrenees on the website. Allison reached out to Hurd. Roberts says, “Leslie put us in touch with the fosters caring for Gracie on the Island so we could meet her. She provided us with as much information as she had, including Gracie’s backstory, a list of shots, bloodwork, and other care Gracie received at her vet visits, so we knew she was up-to-date.”
Roberts, who hadn’t raised a puppy since her 20s, felt overwhelmed with how hard it was. She contacted Hurd, telling her she wasn’t sure she could do it: “I felt like a failure. Leslie was supportive, and reminded me that Gracie was still just a puppy, and her rough start had added to her anxiety. Leslie didn’t get angry or put me down.” Roberts adds, “I’m incredibly glad we stuck with it. Gracie has blossomed into a magnificent, funny, sweet dog, filled with character.”
Adopters can get caught up in the excitement of having a new family member. But AHAW ensures adopters understand their responsibilities once they go home: “We educate all of them about the vaccines they need, and that training is very, very important. Our contract requires them to hire a trainer for at least the initial stages, especially for puppies. Often people don’t train right away, and then the dogs can become a little bit wilder as they get older, leading to all sorts of problems.”
Training is critical in addressing common issues like excessive barking or chewing before these things become deeply ingrained, harder-to-break habits. It also introduces puppies to new experiences in a safe way, helping to reduce fear-based reactions later. Since training is a collaborative effort, it fosters trust and helps dogs understand appropriate behavior at home and in public. Importantly, well-trained dogs are less likely to be surrendered to shelters because of behavioral problems. Fortunately, Hurd says, “We work with some excellent master trainers both on- and off-Island, which has been very helpful.”
Hurd is likewise grateful for Dr. Cheryl DeWitt, a retired consulting veterinarian, who is on the board of directors. “She is incredible, helping with general healthcare like ear and heart checks, and works collaboratively with other vets, as well as those at specialist clinics. We also work with Vineyard Veterinary Clinic here.”
Hurd adds, “Sometimes we rescue special-needs dogs. We currently have a French bulldog, Frankie, for whom we just ran a fundraiser, and we have set up a GoFundMe campaign. She was thrown on the highway in South Carolina, and had to have her leg amputated. Unfortunately, now she must go for more surgery on her other legs, and we’re trying to raise more money. Frankie is just an incredible little spirit. We are rehabilitating her. Frankie’s TikTok page went viral, with more than 271,000 likes. She’s going to be a little star.”
Of course, for adopters, any new canine member of the family will be a star, as well.
To foster or adopt, visit angelshelpinganimalsmv.org, email angelshelpinganimalsmv@gmail.com, or call 508-274-2604.