Manos por Patas is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the suffering of stray dogs roaming Puerto Rico, desperately in need of medical attention, food and water, and a loving touch.

We have proposed the following programs and are working towards these goals:

Population control via spaying and neutering of satos

Sterilize satos from Dead Dog Beach. We have 3 veterinarians in the area who have agreed to work with us at a reduced rate. They will provide the sterilizations, rabies shots, and treatment for intestinal parasites.

Provide shelter and safety for satos

Provide a shelter building and fenced grounds area to protect the dogs from weather as well as from individuals who would do physical harm to them.

Provide this shelter as a sanctuary for other unwanted animals from the southeastern area of Puerto Rico.

Provide sanctuary shelters for unwanted animals all across the country.

Provide medical care for satos

Provide on-site medical care for satos throughout Puerto Rico including vaccinations, treatment for heartworm, treatment for internal and external parasites, and other medical care as necessary. This would require compiling a database of the animals treated. The animals would be tattooed with an identification number that would allow any veterinarian or animal care service throughout the country to access records on that animal.
Provide financial subsidies for pet owners to vaccinate, treat their animals for common ailments such as internal and external parasites, and provide preventative medications for heartworm as well as 7-1 and rabies vaccinations.

Provide a public awareness campaign about spaying and neutering

Use print, television, and radio to get the word out that spaying and neutering is the key to reducing the overpopulation of stray animals in Puerto Rico.

Work with municipal and state government to assist in providing government-run, anti-cruelty and spay/neuter campaigns.

Provide education in the schools to teach against animal cruelty and about Law 67 which makes cruelty towards animals a crime

Provide education in public and private schools at all grade levels concerning humane treatment of animals. This could be included into structured curricula as well as involve extra-curricular activities for interested participants (including school “credit” or “merit” for volunteering at animal shelters, etc). This program would teach not only the LEGAL repercussions of animal cruelty but also the ETHICAL reasons for compassion towards all living creatures.

Television and radio campaigns informing the Puerto Rican public of the laws against animal cruelty and also the ethical reasons for compassion towards all living creatures.

Place adoptable animals in U.S. shelters for adoption

At present, there are very few viable options for adoption of stray animals. As a temporary “fix”, we are sending adoptable animals to shelters in the States to be adopted.