I’m Annie Cooper and I live in Boston Massachusetts.

I first got involved in Aruba rescue 4 years ago, fostering a few puppies from Luna Foundation and through these pups I became friends with many of the the people involved in rescue on the island. When I couldn’t foster anymore I started doing some independent rescue with their help and also sending supplies down with travelers from the Boston area.

My first ever trip to Aruba was in June 2024 with Crossroads Animal Aid with Karyn and Allison and that is where I started doing hands on and I’ve been back several times to volunteer trapping, spay and neuter, food distribution and anything else I can! Karyn Allison and I still work closely together and try to help as much as possible from the US to relieve some of the pressure on those on the ground there day in and day out. We work together so well because while we don’t always agree, we respect each other an led know that we are each deeply committed to the cause of animal welfare. I love Aruba and their incredibly resilient animals - and have 2 Cunucus of my own as well as a southern rescue pup.

Hi, I’m Allison, and I’m from Swansea, Massachusetts. When I’m not in Aruba volunteering, rescuing dogs, and helping with trapping efforts, I’m home with my three dogs—Lilly, Duke, and Divi 

My journey into dog rescue began after I rescued my own Cunucu, Divi. It was during one of my last true vacations in Aruba when she was found living under cars near Santos Coffee by Divi All Inclusive. I was fortunate to connect with the right people and experience my first freedom flight. Divi, along with about thirty other dogs, flew to Florida and was then driven up to Rhode Island. She was the first dog I ever had who wasn’t a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever—and the first dog I adopted who didn’t come from a breeder. I was raised with Goldens and Labs, so rescue was a completely new world for me.

Rescuing Divi quickly turned into helping others rescue dogs from Aruba, which is how I eventually met Annie and Karyn. I was given Karyn’s contact information after the sweetest black pittie kept appearing on the Lost and Found Pets Aruba Facebook group. Karyn was living on the island at the time and helped me bring Sweetie—now Ember—to the U.S.

Not long after that, I was added to a group chat to help rescue a litter of puppies known as the “Happy Street Litter.” This experience taught me the ins and outs of rescuing litters and is where I met Annie. We often crossed paths during puppy transports and quickly became connected through the work.

Fast forward three years, and I’ve helped rescue countless adult dogs and puppies from Aruba. Along the way, I’ve built strong networks of compassionate people on the island who share a passion for humane animal welfare, as well as an incredible community of supporters in the U.S. who help make these rescues possible.

Becoming an independent rescuer, helping families, and volunteering on mission trips has given me a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose beyond my everyday life. This work has also allowed me to use my skills as a social worker, collaborating with different cultures, supporting families in need, and, of course, advocating for these incredible animals.

Being part of Crossroads Animal Aid has brought an entirely new level of fulfillment. It allows me to contribute and volunteer on a much larger scale. Working alongside Annie and Karyn has been truly amazing—we complement each other well, each bringing our own strengths to the organization, and together we’re able to carry out the mission in meaningful ways.

I truly believe things happen for a reason. I deeply relate to the saying, “Who rescued who?” because while I may be helping to rescue a dog, support a family, or volunteer my time, my heart is always the one that ends up full. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone I’ve met over the past three years, and especially for Annie and Karyn, who are my rescue sisters!

My name is Lyla Franz, and I am 15 years old. I love animals and helping others, and I have always had a big heart for rescue and service. I have lots of chickens that I love very much, along with fish and two dogs. I am a certified scuba diver, a soccer player, a published author, a flutist, a pianist, and I enjoy sewing, crafting, swimming, and traveling. One day, I hope to be a pilot or a veterinarian.

I look up to my family and the people I love. My dad supports me and all of my dreams, and his love of airplanes inspires me to want to be a pilot like him. He is a private pilot, and that makes my dream even stronger. My sister Jade is kind, compassionate, and has such a big heart. She is beautiful inside and out, and I would love to be like her in those ways. My mom supports me, loves me, and inspires me every day. She helps me with rescue work, teaches me how to help others, how to be a good person, and shows me that dreams and ideas can truly come to life.

I have always loved helping people and animals. When I was four years old, I came up with the idea to fill Ziploc bags with hats, gloves, and snacks for people experiencing homelessness. When we visited my dad in New York City during his military service, I saw homelessness for the first time, and the following year we brought 50 pounds of Ziploc bags filled with supplies and handed them out in New York City. I have also organized beach cleanups in Los Angeles, Aruba, and Michigan.

Mission trip week is the best week of my life. I love the people on the trip and everything we do to help the island and the animals. The people on the trip feel like family to me. When we lived in Aruba, Zoey from Luna Foundation of Aruba believed in me and inspired me to want to do even more in the rescue world. Some of my best friends are from all over the world, including Venezuela, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and more.

Not everyone understands how much I do in the rescue world, including some friends at school, but my Crossroads Animal Aid family sees what I do, believes in me, and builds me up. That makes me feel very proud.