The present study deals with the affected behaviour of SH-wave propagation through a viscoelastic layer sandwiched between an anisotropic porous layer of finite thickness and an isotropic half space. The sandwiched viscoelastic layer is considered as heterogeneous medium of finite thickness and isotropic half-space is considered as initially stressed medium. The method of separation of variables has been applied to obtain the dispersion equation of SH-wave in their respective media. The obtained complex dispersion relation has been separated into real and imaginary parts. Moreover, the dispersion relation has been satisfied with the classical condition of Love waves. The effects of heterogeneity, attenuation constant, dissipation factor of viscoelasticity, initial stress (compressive), thickness ratio of two layers and porosity on the propagation of SH-waves have been shown by number of graphs. Graphs have been plotted for the dimensionless phase and damping velocity on the propagation of SH-waves with respect to the dimensionless real wave number. The results may be useful to explore the nature and peculiarity of SH-wave propagation in the viscoelastic structure. Copyright © 2017 The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.