Hurricane Maria has devastated Puerto Rico, leaving most of the region with no power and scarce supplies of food and water. Not only are Puerto Rico’s people affected, but animals across the island are in desperate need, too.
Playa Lucia, a beach on the island commonly known as “Dead Dog Beach,” homes dozens of abandoned dogs (though not hundreds, as previous reports claimed). As a popular dumping site, the beach is full of helpless strays who had absolutely no place to go when the hurricane hit.
The Sato Project, a group devoted to helping the dogs along Playa Lucia, took action. They arranged and boarded 60 dogs on a “Freedom Flight” from Puerto Rico to New York on Friday. The flight, sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, successfully transported the dogs to safety, all of whom now have loving foster or adopted homes or have been taken in by local shelters.
Sato is a Puerto Rican slang term for a mixed-breed dog, and the organization has rescued over 1,600 dogs from Playa Lucia since 2011. They have helped to get dogs adopted, provided much needed medical care, food, and water, and even launched a spay and neuter program. Because of the group’s efforts, the population of abandoned dogs has significantly decreased in the area.
“Rescuing dogs means more than just pulling them off a beach or the streets,” says Chrissy Beckles, founder and president of The Sato Project. “We are dedicated to each and every one of our dogs and we want to give them the greatest chance in life. After what they have been through, what they have witnessed, we never want them to suffer again.”
Thanks to the hard work and care from The Sato Project, many dogs are getting a second chance at life with loving homes in the States. More work is still to be done, and The Sato Project is on the move to help the animals of Puerto Rico.
“All of our dogs will be sleeping in comfortable beds tonight. With access to food and fresh water,” says Beckles in a Facebook statement. “They will be safe and they will be loved.”
God bless you all for taking such care of the dogs many thanks to all concerned.
yeah… this is real great thanks a lot for totally ignoring the cats. you talk about saving the animals.. and you don’t even spare a second for a cat. you can’t be an animal advo-CAT-e without CAT! don’t expect a donation from me.
HOw do you know there are any cats on Playa Lucia. The SATO project is about rescueing dogs because they are the SATOs. the unwanted, abandoned dogs which are many. The cats must not be in too much trouble as I have heard about the abuse of the SATOs for years now and have never heard of a cat population explosion. The cats at least can catch birds or something like mice to eat, but dogs just sit there and starve. they don’t know how to hunt.
if you don’t think there is a cat problem, check Glen Venezio.. he has been trying to help the cats of the island for at least a decade. he has run in to people who have physically assaulted him for trying to feed stray cats. no one helps him to help the cats. but of course.. there is help for the dogs. and if you don’t think dogs can hunt.. try watching my neighbor’s dogs… who are very well fed.. destroy baby birds and squirrels. and a dog can run a deer to death just for the fun of it. but the cats are the ones hated for “surviving”. they may catch things, but they are still malnourished, have fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, ear mites, injuries and they suffer from the elements and they get scared and lonely. and abused by the locals.
THat is really great that that man is helping the cats out and rescuing them, but this is about rescuing dogs. The SATO project is a dog rescue only and that is why cats are not mentioned. there are plenty of orgs. who are rescuing cats like The Alleycat Allies and other cat rescue places. I myself rescue rabbits. Rabbits are horribly treated by labs, by people who eat them, by people who breed them and because their population is exploding because of breeders they are getting euthanized in shelters all the time, but I am not demanding that the SATO Project start rescueing rabbits. The SATO Project has been going on a lot longer than any of these hurricane rescues. The truth is that the stupid people let their dogs and cats breed indiscriminately and they don’t bother to have them spayed or neutered, then they just throw them out to this beach where they die of starvation or getting killed because of wicked mean people. All animals need to be rescued but this project is about the SATOs.
You’ve missed the mark. This is about an organisation that rescues dogs not cats. There have been plenty of stories about rescued cats. Do dogs not deserved to be rescued.
Ty so much for rescuing them, you are angels.x
This is so wonderfully kind & caring. These dogs need to be loved & needed, they don’t ask for much in life. 💕💕🐾🐾
Thank you so so much!!!😁😇
Thank you to the wonderful Rescuers who diligently & lovingly care for these animals — without you, God only knows …. again, thank you a million times to the beautiful Rescuers of the Sato Project.
Thank you for rescuing these beautiful fur babies. I’m glad that they have gone to loving homes.
PLEASE DONATE TO THE WORTHY CAUSE!!!! I’M A MONTHLY DONOR OF $5 TO THIS ORGANIZATION. IT’S NOT MUCH, HOWEVER, IF EVERYONE GAVE A SMALL AMOUNT, IMAGINE HOW THAT COULD ADD UP!!!!!
BRAVO!!!!
While this story is great for PR, I wonder why it’s so hard to find homes for dogs already here in the US? And how many US dogs are now dead because the homes are taken up by PR dogs… ?
Congrats on finding homes for all those dogs.
I will continue focusing my resources on attempting to find homes for all the dogs in my community that need homes, before their time is up.
I’m thrilled beyond belief to read this news, but I have to ask…what will become of those left behind? #SATOSTRONG
THe SATO Project will continue to rescue them. They have been rescuing these animals and others in other countries for many years now. The hurricanes did not start the SATO Project. They will rescue as many dogs as they can find.
Thank you Sato Project!!!
You people are all amazing, in times of major disasters such as these hurricanes and tornadoes the animals are left to fend for themselves, having no understanding of what has just happened or when and if their families are coming back for them. The laws have to reflect the severity of animal abuse and abandoning. There should be no place on earth and no time that abandoning an animal is considered okay. Thank you for caring.
Chrissy you deserve a medal. Your Sato Project is well known for its wonderful rescue work, and this time you have all outshone yourselves.
That was wonderful news thank goodness and please do not forget about our feline friends they need help too.
God blesd
I won’t be spending my tourist dollars in that heathen hell hole any time soon. Thanks you to all the rescuers, care givers and adopters.
SATO project please collaborate with the cat carer Glen Venezio, to connect him with cat rescuers in the US to give him moral support, guidance and practical help. http://www.care2.com/causes/meet-glen-venezio-the-amazing-cat-man-of-puerto-rico.html He also helps other animals and stands against projects that put animals at risk. EVERYBODY please read this story, this man is a real hero.
Yes indeed, god bless for taking care for the animals in need for love and comfort.