About Satos
"Sato" is Puerto Rican slang for "street dog" or mixed breed dog, and sometimes just refers to all street dogs. It is estimated that half a million stray dogs are on the streets of Puerto Rico. One of the main reasons there are so many strays in PR is that most dogs do not get spayed/neutered, so there are many unwanted puppy litters. The devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017 made the situation even worse as many people left the island, and day-to-day life became harder. Stray dogs don't get the kind of care they need to thrive, and they are vulnerable to many medical problems. This why we need organizations like Toby's Rescue to help find permanent, safe, and loving homes for as many dogs as we can.
Some other organizations trying to help Satos:
Toby's Rescue
Founded in 2020, Toby's Rescue is a very small nonprofit organization in Chevy Chase, MD, dedicated to finding loving homes for Puerto Rican street dogs. Toby's team flies dogs from Puerto Rico and then works to find foster homes and eventually permanent adoptions. Some dogs require medical care before they are ready for adoption. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right home. Dedicated volunteers in Puerto Rico and Maryland help make this process go smoothly. I've been lucky to be able to volunteer with Toby's Rescue, to have fostered a puppy who was adopted by a neighbor, and of course to adopt my dog Austin from them. Send them an email if you are interested in volunteering, fostering, or adopting.
Click image to visit Toby's website
Austin & Me
My name is Julia and I am in 8th grade (yeah, it's an old photo). I love animals and hope to be a veterinary surgeon when I am older. I enjoy baking, cooking, trying new foods, and playing with my dog.
Austin is a 4-year-old Aussie/Border Collie mix, who was born under a truck, at an abandoned gas station near the airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He was rescued by an elderly woman who took care of him and connected with the team from Toby's Rescue who brought him to Maryland. My family fostered him, but we fell in love with him right away and ended up adopting him. He loves to play with his dog friends (including fellow rescues from Toby's Rita and Squeaker), toy foxes, and any cardboard he happens to find in the recycling.