About Our Adoptions
General Information
Understand the ancestral background of the animals we rescue and learn about the proper ways care for them.
Modern research techniques have shown that this little-known breed has an interesting origin. DNA tests have revealed that its ancestors were probably introduced to Aruba by Portuguese slave-traders sometime in the 16th century. The dogs they took with them were probably very similar to the modern Iberian breed called the Medium Portuguese Podengo, known in its homeland as the Podengo Portuguesa Medio. Once on the island, some of those imported dogs then came into the possession of the indigenous Arawak Indians, who crossed them with local dogs that were living on the island in a semi-wild, feral condition. Once the Arawak Indians had developed their own breed of hunting dog, they employed it to pursue the island’s iguanas; large lizards that offered a valuable source of protein.
The Cunucu Dog is a medium-sized animal that appears in a variety of color forms, especially brown-and-white and black-and-tan. They are athletic, courageous, loyal and intelligent. A very fast-moving dog, it is renowned for its amazing leaping ability. This is an adaptation to its lizard-chasing, when it must skillfully maneuver the rocky outcrops in the island’s arid interior at high speed. Over the years the Aruban Cunucu Dog has been mixed with many different breeds who have been brought to the island. We see more different looking dogs now, due to them being mixed with bigger dogs as for example a Rotweiler, Labrador or German Shephard or smaller breeds like a Jack Russel.
The average adult size of our rescues varies between 35-55 pounds, where males tend to get a bit bigger than females.
General healthcare treatment:
- Adult dogs: bloodtest, flea/tick treatment and prevention, heartworm test, deworming, preventative treatment with panacur (3 days) and baycox, rabies vaccine, vaccination(s), spay/neuter.
- Puppies: bloodtest, flea/tick treatment and prevention, deworming, preventative treatment with panacur (3 days) and baycox and vaccination (at least first round of puppy vaccines).
- Adult cats: deworming, flea/tick treatment and prevention, FeLV and FIV test, preventative treatment with panacur (3 days) and baycox, rabies vaccine, vaccination(s), spay/neuter.
- Kittens: deworming, flea/tick treatment and prevention, preventative treatment with panacur (3 days) and baycox and vaccination (most of the times the first vaccine).
Our cats and dogs will be spayed/neutered when they’re about 4/6 months old (depending on their overall condition). A lot of our rescues are puppies and kittens. This means they won’t be spayed/neutered before their adoption. However, spaying/neutering our rescues is mandatory; this is also clearly stated in our adoption agreement.
The Adoption Process
Adopting is currently possible for those residing in the United States, Canada, Aruba, the Netherlands (dogs and cats as of 15 weeks old) and only when there is a planned flight volunteer available.
Our adoption fee:
- Cat: $225 (USD)
- Dog: $375 (USD)
The adoption fee covers all the necessary veterinary care up until the point of traveling and the traveling costs (airport fee, carrier/crate, paperwork).
Renters must show proof that pets are allowed, so please send us a copy of your rental agreement. We also request a reference check from your veterinarian.
After receiving your application we will begin processing it as quickly as possible.
Please be aware that we often receive multiple applications for the same animal and we try our best to choose the application that will be the best match for this particular dog or cat. We do our best to respond to each application and email in a timely manner. Please be sure to monitor your email account and phone closely to ensure we are able to contact you. Please feel free to follow up with us at any time.
Finding the perfect match for our precious rescues and their forever loving families is something we take very seriously.