EL PASO, Texas – They entered the U.S. from Mexico like abandoned souls, weary, hungry, and nameless.

But kind-hearted border officials have stepped in to help these underprivileged dogs, giving them new names and new lives as Selma, Lieu, Petunia, Peanut, Cupid, Penelope, Selena, and Floyd.

This border town, often dubbed the Ellis Island of the Southwest, is known for its welcoming attitude toward newcomers, including those with four legs.

For over a decade, Bridge Pups Rescue, a nonprofit in the Borderland, has been dedicated to fostering and finding homes for these unexpected canine migrants.

Ruby Montana, the founder, took in her first “bridge pup” after her brother began working as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer in their hometown. He observed strays making their way across the international bridge from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to El Paso.

“They often arrived in awful shape, starved, limping, or infested with fleas and ticks,” Montana explained. “He would keep them hidden, I’d take them in and find foster homes. When we got caught, we were nervous about other agents’ reactions, but they fully supported us. It turned into an unspoken practice.”

In theory, dogs also require documentation to legally enter the U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforces the rules set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Centers for Disease Control.

However, when a pup lacks proper human ownership, no one typically stops these curious dogs from crossing the international bridge, splashing through the shallow Rio Grande, or navigating past the steel barriers of the border fence.

“There’s a notice at every point of entry,” said Montana. “It instructs anyone seeing a stray dog or an immigrant family with a pet to contact Ruby Montana.”

Montana has rescued countless migrant animals, connecting them with loving families—starting with her relatives and then expanding throughout El Paso and the broader Southwest. Rescue groups in California and Arizona have also participated in this effort.

Border Patrol officers in El Paso have taken in numerous pups, as have veterans from the Army. El Paso’s congresswoman rescued a dog from the border named Río, and with Montana’s assistance, they found her a loving home. Two local photographers have also saved border-crossing dogs; Lieu now enjoys a cozy life in Austin, Texas, while Gringa has weathered two hurricanes in Florida with his family.

Unfortunately, not every story has a happy ending.

Montana has grieved for dogs lost to health issues or accidents. Her most recent rescue, Floyd, is elderly and struggling with a tumor that may be cancerous. A local veterinarian is currently assessing his condition. She regularly shares updates or “pupdates” for each rescue on her social media platforms.

“Sweet Floyd is comfortably back with his foster family after his vet appointment,” she shared on Instagram last week. His readiness to hop into a car and his tendency to “howl” when he needs to go outside led Montana to suspect he had been abandoned by previous owners.

“His days of being unwanted are behind him because we will continue to show Floyd what true love and care look like!” she declared.

Across the border, Ciudad Juárez is a challenging place for a homeless dog. It’s a city of contrasts where the richest individuals travel with bodyguards, while many factory workers survive on meager wages.

In the gritty downtown, which connects to El Paso via an international bridge, stray dogs struggle to find food, scavenging from restaurants and overflowing trash cans. The city lacks an effective stray animal control policy, though a newly established “animal wellness center” was opened in 2023 to allow reporting of animal abuse. Despite these efforts, local initiatives aimed at managing the stray population remain underfunded.

Some dogs are abandoned, while others actively seek a better future.

“I don’t ask for dogs’ documentation before I offer aid or kindness,” Montana expressed.

So, can dogs too pursue the American dream?

Perhaps the fortunate ones or those with more adventurous spirits can.

The pups that manage to cross into the U.S. and into Montana’s care find themselves welcomed with warm beds and tasty treats on the other side.