The Sato Project

Results: Since its inception in 2011, The Sato Project has placed more than 7,500 stray dogs with loving families across the mainland United States. It has primarily focused its rescue efforts around the area of Yabucoa, home to the infamous “Dead Dog Beach,” a popular dumping ground for abandoned pets and litters of puppies; on its shores, disease and rampant breeding produced feral packs of dogs numbering in the hundreds, competing for limited food and fresh water and transmitting illness back and forth. Thanks to the work of The Sato Project, that area is now largely clear of strays. Some of the organization’s other initiatives have included the distribution of 150k lbs of humanitarian and emergency animal supplies after natural disasters such as earthquakes and Hurricane Maria, as well as pulling dogs from overburdened municipal shelters with extremely high euthanasia rates. In 2023, The BISSELL Pet Foundation and Cathy Bissell donated crucial medical supplies and surgical equipment to launch the first Operation Sato, which examined, spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped more than 1,200 dogs in just six days, completely free of cost to families. Building off the success of its collaboration with BISSELL, in 2024 The Sato Project partnered with Dra. Adriana Luna, a local veterinarian in Puerto Rico who runs the nonprofit LunaVetHelp. Since joining forces, Operation Sato and LunaVetHelp have continued to organize local Operation Sato events in different municipalities around Puerto Rico.

Target demographics: some of the estimated 650,000 stray dogs suffering on the streets and beaches of Puerto Rico, and to make strides in disrupting the overpopulation crisis on the island once and for all.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 398 dogs rescued, rehabilitated and flown to new homes on the mainland, and 1,200+ dogs spay/neutered/vaccinated at our first Operation Sato event.

Geographic areas served: Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, in and around a place (unfortunately) known as Dead Dog Beach.

Programs: Disrupting the overpopulation crisis on the island of Puerto Rico with a one-two punch, expanded approach to rescue: adoptions and Freedom Flights alongside spay/neuter/vaccination and TNR services.