Vacation With a Purpose: How Your Trip to Aruba Can Save a Dog’s Life
Written By: Senior Travel Advisor, Lauren Boone
When my husband and I planned our trip to Aruba, we were craving sunshine, slow mornings, and a little escape from everyday life. What we didn’t expect was that this vacation would completely change our hearts — and eventually, our family.
We spent our days enjoying the beauty of the Palm Beach area, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and exploring the shopping and dining throughout downtown Palm Beach and Oranjestad. Aruba is vibrant, welcoming, and full of life — but if you’ve ever visited, you may have noticed something else too.
The Dogs of Aruba
While relaxing on the beach, we began to notice the many stray dogs — often called cunucus — wandering the sand. Some were shy, some were playful, all were looking for love. We did what many visitors do: shared food, gave belly rubs, and offered affection where we could. They became part of our daily beach routine.
Then, on our way to the airport to head home, we met one dog in particular.
He lingered near the airport and I instantly fell in love. I went inside the airport and began reaching out to local rescues and a trapper, hoping we could get him off the streets. The trapper went back to find him… but he was gone.
I was heartbroken and assumed that was the end of the story.
When the Story Didn’t End
Months later, while connecting online with others who were trying to help the dogs we’d met during our trip, I shared his photo. Someone I connected with ran a rescue — and she immediately recognized him and knew exactly where he was!
He was no longer living on the streets, but he still didn’t have a secure foster or forever home. Without hesitation, she stepped in, handled every single detail, and helped arrange for him to fly to the United States.
He’s now home — he's gone from roaming the streets of Aruba to playing on the beaches of the North Carolina Coast!
The Stray Dog Crisis in Aruba
Aruba has a significant stray dog population, largely due to limited spay/neuter resources and economic challenges. Thankfully, there are incredible rescues and volunteers working tirelessly to change these dogs’ lives — often by helping them find fosters and adopters in the United States.
What many travelers don’t realize is that you can help, even if you’re “just on vacation.”
Turning Your Vacation Into a Mission
If you’re traveling to Aruba, you can easily turn your trip into something even more meaningful.
1.Become a Flight Volunteer
Flight volunteering is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to help save a life. On your flight home from Aruba, you can assist with escorting a dog from the Aruba airport to their destination in the United States. The rescue organization handles all the details — you simply travel with a furry companion by your side. And honestly, who wouldn’t want the cutest travel buddy for their flight?
Here’s how it works:
Being a flight volunteer is completely free.
Puppies will be at least 6 months old and under 20 lbs to fly carry-on.
The rescue books and pays for the puppy’s ticket and completes all medical paperwork.
At the Aruba airport, you’re met with the puppy and a volunteer who stays with you through check-in.
If for any reason the puppy can’t fly, the volunteer takes responsibility.
You simply walk to your gate with the puppy in a soft carrier.
Upon landing, someone meets you to pick up the puppy.
Puppies are well-prepared — they typically fast before flying, travel with wipes, pee pads, and receive a natural calming chew to help them sleep through the flight.
Best airlines for cunucu puppies:
United
Delta
American Airlines
Jet Blue
If you’re interested, you can apply through:
Aruba Flight Volunteers (via Facebook)
The Luna Foundation
Sgt. Pepper’s Friends
If you’re needed, you’ll be contacted before your departure with full instructions.
2. Freedom Flights: Adopting or Fostering an Adult Dog
If you fall in love with an adult dog while visiting, that dream can become reality.
Adult dogs must:
Be spayed/neutered
Be cleared by a local Aruban vet
Receive bloodwork (to rule out tick-borne disease or anemia)
Have rabies and DLPP vaccines
Receive a health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel)
Freedom flights typically happen 1–2 times per month during spring and fall, with limited summer and winter options due to temperature restrictions.
Dogs usually fly into O’Hare, Orlando, Washington, or Raleigh - Durham Airports. Transportation can also be arranged to get your dog from one of these airports to a destination closer to your home!
Average flight cost: $500–$800
(Vetting is significantly cheaper than in the U.S.)
These flights must be arranged by experienced rescuers due to their complexity. Those interested can reach out to CriJojo Trappers on Facebook.
For specific questions, you can also contact:
Allison Wood, Independent Cunucu Rescuer
📞 508-232-0391
📧 allie9685@gmail.com
Travel That Changes You
That trip to Aruba gave us unforgettable memories — but it also gave us something deeper. A reminder that travel isn’t just about where you go, but the impact you leave behind.
Sometimes, your greatest souvenir has four legs, a wagging tail, and a story that began on a beach far from home.
If you’re heading to Aruba, consider traveling with a cause. You might just change a life — and maybe your own too.