Individuals and animal welfare groups have come together to successfully rescue emaciated dogs abandoned on Hon Nua Island in Dong Hoa Town, Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam after a Facebook post about the situation drew widespread attention on social media. 

The post was shared on the Take Action Viet Nam Facebook group by a tourist who visited Hon Nua Island and discovered a pack of emaciated dogs covered in ticks, fleas, and dermatitis.

The island has no food sources and is a 20-minute speedboat ride from the mainland.

The tourist affectionately referred to the skinny, hungry dogs as 'the little ones.'

“The little ones cling to me because it has been so long since they’ve seen a human,” the post stated.

The tourist learned from the speedboat driver that the dogs, at one point, belonged to locals who had come to Hon Nua to sell beverages and provide tourism services.

“I can’t understand how people can be so cruel, especially during the current rainy season, when the dogs’ shelter is merely a temporary tarpaulin, with no food or water,” the post detailed. 

“The dogs were scavenging for pebbles to eat just to survive. 

“I was heartbroken to see one unable to walk due to malnutrition, with its eyes pleading for help.

“Since returning from the island, I’ve felt heavy-hearted whenever I think of them. 

“I decided to write this post, hoping someone in Phu Yen can help bring the dogs to the mainland for proper care.”

Following the post, individuals and groups banded together to rescue the dogs. 

D.T.N.B., a 35-year-old dog lover who currently cares for eight rescue dogs at her home in Phu Yen’s Tuy Hoa City, said that she and her sister were unable to sleep after learning about the plight of the canines.

On Wednesday morning, the two decided to take a car to Vung Ro Bay in Phu Yen's Dong Hoa Town and hire a speedboat to head to Hon Nua. 

They managed to rescue four dogs on their first trip.

The next morning, B. asked her husband and younger brother to return to the island to search for more dogs. 

One of the original owners of the dogs brought five canines back to find adoptive homes.

B. discovered that the owners had initially brought only one or two dogs each to the island, which later mated and formed a pack of over ten. 

The owners visit the island only twice a month or when tourists arrive, making it difficult to care for all the dogs. 

Though they claimed to feed the dogs, it clearly was not enough.

“I have taken in six more dogs, bringing my total rescues to 14," B. said.

“I have a garden, so I can care for them.

“They are currently receiving veterinary check-ups. 

“I hope that they can find homes with new owners who are more responsible.

“Most importantly, I want to spread love for animals because dogs are loyal and wonderful companions!”

Nguyen Trinh, a representative of the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Dog and Cat Rescue Association, said that he had contacted the dog owners and facilitated financial support for cages to help transport them back to the mainland.

“Seeing images of the emaciated dogs, some unable to walk, waiting on the beach for their owners, filled me with sorrow,” Trinh said.

“I reached out to friends in Phu Yen and members of my association to rescue the dogs on September 28. 

“To my surprise, the dogs were brought back to shore sooner than expected, thanks to the collective effort and the owners’ willingness to help.”

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