650,000
THE NUMBER OF STRAY AND ABANDONED DOGS WANDERING THE STREETS OF PUERTO RICO
94-96%
THE AVERAGE EUTHANASIA RATE OF PUERTO RICO’S MUNICIPAL SHELTERS
How We Are Fighting Back
Rescue & Rehabilitation
Freedom Flights
Spay/Neuter & Vaccine Community Outreach
Adoption & Shelter Placement
Disaster Relief
Education & Awareness
The Sato Project is dedicated to rescuing the abused and abandoned dogs of Puerto Rico.
There are an estimated 650,000 stray dogs roaming the streets and beaches of Puerto Rico. One dog at a time, we are saving lives, fighting back and building permanent change.
Join us in this fight and learn more about our organization, mission, and our exceptional approach to rescue.
8,000
Dogs Rescued & Flown to new homes
4,500
Dogs spayed/neutered/vaccinated/microchipped at operation Sato
150k+ lbs
disaster relief supplies distributed across the island
279
dogs and cats reunited with their families
in the mainland after a natural disaster
OUR IMPACT
Since its inception in 2011, The Sato Project has rescued 8,000 stray dogs (known in Puerto Rico as “satos”), rehabilitated them with the highest standards of veterinary care, and placed them in loving homes on the U.S. mainland. The Sato Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the underlying causes of the overpopulation crisis through community outreach and a low-cost spay, neuter, and vaccination initiative known as #OperationSato. Since the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the earthquakes of 2020, The Sato Project has expanded its efforts into disaster relief, including the distribution of 150,000 lbs of humanitarian and animal emergency supplies. Over the years, they have also pulled dogs from overburdened municipal shelters with 94% euthanasia rates and reunited close to 300 families with their beloved displaced pets via the No Dog Left Behind program.
How You Can Help
Adopt a sato
Thinking of adopting? We might be biased, but we believe there’s no better addition to your family than a sato! Apply today to expand your family with a grateful pup.
Volunteer opportunities
The Sato Project runs on the passion and dedication of our many wonderful volunteers. Get in touch with us if you’re interested in joining our community!
Make a Donation
The Sato Project relies entirely on charitable donations to rescue, rehabilitate, spay/neuter/vaccinate, and educate on the ground in Puerto Rico.
See This Video For Our Feature as Part of TIME’s 2020 Pet of the Year
Community Stories
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March 2024
"The students and faculty from Puerto Rico at RUSVM mobilized our community soon after the disaster events, in an effort to raise funds to assist with relief efforts for animals in the affected areas. The students decided to donate the monies to your organization, as it proves to be one that year after year continues to provide a holistic approach to improving animal welfare in Puerto Rico."
Doris M. Castellanos / Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
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july 2025
Yes, I have a wonderful pup from The Sato Project, but I followed them for years before I adopted her because they do such good work! Their dedication to spay/neuter clinics on the island and to spreading the word about the challenges of the stray population in PR are so admirable. I would rate them 10/10 but wish they had f... Read more
Hunter / Adopter and Supporter