Volunteering
The Sato Project
The Sato Project is a heartfelt, high-impact nonprofit fighting for the abused, abandoned, and stray dogs across Puerto Rico—locally called “satos.” With as many as 650,000 stray dogs on the island and municipal shelters facing euthanasia rates over 94%, their mission is urgent: rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome these animals, while also tackling root causes through spay/neuter, vaccination, community outreach, and disaster relief.
Since 2011, they’ve flown thousands of dogs to safe homes in the U.S. mainland, pulled animals from overwhelmed shelters, operated mass “Spayathons,” and mobilized after natural disasters to serve communities and animals alike. With every rescue, they amplify compassion, respect life, and fight systemic neglect.
Love in Motion
Born in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane María (2017), Love in Motion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bridging nature, community, and sustainable tourism. Their mission is to catalyze opportunities through capacity building, stewardship, and innovation of trail programs—and to nurture resilient, sovereign communities through nature access and engagement.
From designing and maintaining trails in El Yunque to training local guides, promoting Leave-No-Trace practices, and supporting volunteer projects island-wide, Love in Motion places communities at the center of ecological and economic development. Their vision: a world where tourism becomes a positive force—transforming lives, preserving landscapes, and reinforcing the bond between people and place.
Corredor Ecológico del Noreste (CEN)
The Corredor Ecológico del Noreste is one of Puerto Rico’s richest ecological corridors—a coastal stretch spanning from Luquillo to Fajardo—featuring forests, mangroves, wetlands, reefs, a bioluminescent lagoon, and miles of pristine beaches. Its ecosystems support over 50 species that are rare, endemic, threatened, or endangered, and its beaches serve as critical nesting grounds for the leatherback sea turtle (tinglar).
Declared a natural reserve in 2013 through Puerto Rican law, the Corridor’s conservation is backed by community effort, ecological advocacy, and sustainable-tourism proposals. The vision includes public access to beaches and trails, ecotourism, birdwatching, turtle nesting observatories, and promoting equitable access for local fishermen and coastal communities.
Paradise Rescue PR
Operating out of northeast Puerto Rico, Paradise Rescue PR is a nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs, while raising awareness about adoption, responsible breeding, and humane treatment. Their work includes fostering, adoption programs, volunteer engagement, and partnering across regions to transport pets domestically and internationally when needed.
By choosing adoption you not only bring home a loving companion—you also help reduce the demand driving puppy mills and large-scale breeding operations prioritizing profit over welfare. Paradise Rescue strives to be a beacon of hope for “satos” and companion animals in Puerto Rico’s northeast region.