Sudbury Nonprofit Brings First Rescue Dogs From Israel To MA

SUDBURY, MA — A special shipment of shelter dogs arrived over the weekend at Logan Airport, and a Sudbury-based nonprofit hopes it's the first of many.

Kobe Henro, a pet food pantry founded in Sudbury in October 2020, and Washington, D.C.-based Little Black Dog Rescue helped bring three shelter dogs from Israel to permanent homes in New England on Sunday.

Now, Kobe Henro founder Helaine Block is seeking local travelers to bring more dogs to the U.S. from a shelter in Bethlehem. The shelter Animal Environment Associated, which is the only one serving the West Bank of Palestine, partners with Little Black Dog to transport dogs overseas — but needs travelers to escort the animals.

Block learned about the high number of adoptable dogs in Israel and Palestine through her daughter, who is attending medical school in Israel. The two shelters covered travel fees and documents for the dogs flying out of Tel Aviv, and after the flight, Block picked them up at the baggage claim at Logan. Once in the U.S., the dogs went to their new adoptive homes.

"In a nutshell, this was an amazing experience, and together we granted these dogs a second chance and I want people to know it was easy to do," Block said this week. "I will be returning to Israel within a few months and will always bring a dog, or two or three with me."

If you want to help adopt a dog from Bethlehem, contact Block by email at info@kobehenro.org or by calling (978) 460-1217.