COURTESY PHOTO | One of the potcake pups Kent Animal Shelter director Pam Green brought home on a recent vacation to Turks and Caicos.

Sandy beaches, palm trees, and blue water are what usually comes to mind when most people think of the Caribbean. But the islands are much less of a paradise for the stray dogs roaming the streets looking for food and a safe place to sleep.

That’s why Pam Green, executive director of Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton, decided to bring back four tiny potcake breed puppies during a recent vacation to Turks and Caicos.

And now she is urging other Long Islanders to do the same.

While in Turks and Caicos, Ms. Green saw an advertisement from Potcake Place, an organization that helps tourists bring back potcake dogs after their vacations, and gave them a call. The agency delivered the 10-week-old pups to the airport at no cost to Ms. Green.

There may be additional costs for some travelers as certain airlines charge extra for pet carriers. However, Ms. Green said the shelter might be able to reimburse some travel costs.

“This is a no-hassle, flight for life,” she said. “It does not interfere with the traveler’s vacation whatsoever.”

The pups Ms. Green brought back will stay at Kent for about two more weeks when they will be old enough to be spayed or neutered. Then they’ll be put up for adoption.

For people who want to bring back a dog from the Caribbean, but do not want to adopt the animal themselves, the shelter will take it in until a permanent home can be found.

Potcake dogs are gentle and grow to about 50 pounds on average.

Ms. Green has also rescued pets from St. Croix through an organization called Pets from Paradise. Anyone who would like more information on rescuing a dog from the Carribbean or who would like to adopt the potcake pups now at Kent Animal Shelter can contact Ms. Green at 727-5731.

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