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Are you looking for dog rescues in Puerto Rico? If yes, then you should definitely check out these organizations. They are well known for their services and they are always ready to provide assistance to anyone who needs it.
There are thousands of dogs in Puerto Rico that are abandoned or neglected. These animals are often left alone at home without food and water. Many times, they are also mistreated and abused. This makes them vulnerable to diseases and other health problems.
Dog rescuers are working day and night to save these innocent creatures from certain death. They take care of the dogs until they are adopted by loving families.
You can do your part by adopting, donating, or volunteering to these wonderful organizations.
Dog rescues are not listed in any particular order. Check out other excellent dog rescues in other states here.
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List of the Best Dog Rescues in Puerto Rico
1. Second Chance Animal Rescue of Puerto Rico
Bonnie Lukas founded Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) in Villalba, Puerto Rico, in February 2000 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. SCAR rescues, rehabilitates, and places abandoned dogs in permanent homes in Puerto Rico. SCAR has saved thousands of animals in Puerto Rico since its inception.
The plight of homeless animals in Puerto Rico was already bad, but Hurricane Maria has exacerbated it to epidemic proportions. Most of these former household pets will either be euthanized or will suffer on the streets, vying with people for limited resources. While working to restore its shelter, which was decimated by the hurricane, SCAR has been caring for many of these abandoned animals.
You can show your support by donating here.
2. The SATO Project
The Sato Project aims to rescue abused and abandoned dogs from the streets and beaches of Puerto Rico.
There are approximately 500,000 stray dogs living on the island and unfortunately, many of these dogs live miserable, short lives because they don’t have access to food, fresh drinking water, or veterinary care.
The municipal shelter system has been severely overwhelmed, with only five shelter locations across all 78 municipalities.
These shelters have a high overall euthanasia rate of over 90%.
For thousands of stray dogs across Puerto Rico, there is no one else to turn to at all to survive.
This is where the SATO Project brings so much meaning to their lives.
Find out how you can help here.
3. Puerto Rico Rescue
The Southampton Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on the generosity and support of its donors and volunteers to provide a safe haven for homeless animals in need of rescue.
The shelter provides a stepping stone for animals to find loving forever homes.
They provide them with housing, food, medical care, training, and rehabilitation if needed.
For 13 years, they have provided homeless animals in their community with care, from New York to Puerto Rico.
4. Animal Lighthouse Rescues
ALR is a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the rescue and adoption (and rehoming) of stray dogs in Puerto Rico, called “SATO.”
Their team is based in New York City and works closely with El Faro de los Animales, a no-kill shelter in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
Its mission is to improve the quality of life for orphaned and homeless dogs by providing them with veterinary care, spaying/neutering, and adoption services.
You may learn more about helping them here.
5. All SATO Rescue
All Sato Rescue (ASR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico and reducing their numbers.
(A mutt is referred to as a Sato in Puerto Rican vernacular.)
They not only rescue and rehome Satos, but also work to address the core causes of overpopulation, abuse, and neglect by promoting public awareness, facilitating low-cost spay and neutering, and involving the judiciary and government in the implementation of humane remedies.
They have made a tremendous impact on the community, and you can do your part here or visit their online shop here.
6. Puerto Rico Rescues by Big Dog Ranch Rescue
A group called El Foster Club contacted Big Dog Ranch Rescue from Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria for help.
The hurricane forced thousands of people to abandon the islands, leaving their dogs on the streets, in shelters, and with family members.
El Foster Club was unable to match pets with foster families quickly enough, and the demand had beyond its capacity.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue was able to assist by gathering funds to transport dogs off the island through cargo planes and flights as passengers.
Till today, they are still highly involved in rescuing the dogs in Puerto Rico, and you may do your part here.
7. The Puerto Rico’s Animal Welfare Society
Location: 10228 Bo. Bajuras, Isabela, PR 00662
The aim of the Puerto Rico Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is to minimize the number of homeless and abandoned companion animals in Puerto Rico’s northwest region by providing affordable spaying and neutering, enabling adoptions, and educating the public.
Through these series of initiatives, they have been able to help numerous dogs find a forever home and not have to suffer the horrendous fate that they would have to suffer without the help.
Please do your part by donating generously here.
8. Save The Satos
In Puerto Rico, a US Commonwealth roughly the size of Connecticut, there are an estimated 500,000 stray dogs.
Four members of the crew traveled to the island in October 2018 to see how they might assist with the terrible situation.
During the week they were there, 30 dogs were rescued, prompting the team to return to the island three more times over the next eight months, saving another 50 Satos and placing them in loving homes.
They volunteered at The Spayathon for Puerto Rico and did everything they could to help, but it was insufficient.
That gave birth to Save the Satos, and the team has made it their life’s mission to not give up until they’ve reduced the stray population on this lovely tiny island.
You can learn about their fostering program here.
Find dog rescues in other states here:
