Paws4Survival Rescue is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of Puerto Rican street dogs ("satos") and cats (“gatos").

Paws4Survival Rescue was founded in October 2015. Our home base is in Massachusetts, and our animals are fostered in Massachusetts, New York, and surrounding states where they then find forever homes!

Our President and Vice President volunteered for another organization that rescues dogs from Puerto Rico and decided to venture out on their own. After trips to the island on vacation, they both vowed to do as much as they could once they returned home. 

Our President's husband is from a small town in the southeast area of Puerto Rico called Arroyo. This area of Puerto Rico sees abandoned dogs and cats on every street corner, with no formal animal education and limited resources to assist. This is where we focus our efforts.

We strive to be a community organization and support local rescuers in Puerto Rico whenever possible. We provide veterinary care, shelter, and socialization for our animals in Puerto Rico as they prepare for adoption.

What are satos and gatos?!

The dogs we rescue are also known as "satos"--The cats we rescue are also known as "gatos". There are an estimated 500,000+ dogs and 1 million cats roaming the streets and beaches of Puerto Rico, either born into homelessness or abandoned. This problem was greatly exacerbated following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September 2017.

Puerto Rico is an island the size of Connecticut; it has 78 municipalities. While each city is required by law to have an animal shelter, there are very few, and the ones they do have are unequipped and underfunded.

98% of animals entering local shelters are euthanized due to overpopulation and illness.

Over 500 dogs and cats will die each day in the island's control agencies because of overpopulation.

Less than 10% of the pet population in Puerto Rico EVER visit a veterinary clinic.

There are roughly 450 "pet shops" selling unhealthy, uncertified, and poorly kept animals. Many are illegally vaccinating and treating dogs.

In October 2016, Paws4Survival also began rescuing cats. 

Following Hurricane Maria, Paws4Survival began working with El Faro de Los Animales (a rescue shelter in Humacao, Puerto Rico) and their sister shelter Animal Lighthouse Rescue (in NYC). By partnering with like-minded individuals, we can rescue more dogs & cats!