Manos por Patas (Hands for Paws) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the suffering of stray dogs in Puerto Rico. These strays (called satos by the locals) are in need of medical attention, food, water, and, more importantly, a loving home. Sometimes, that new home will be in the States, in which case tourists can help by escorting a dog on their plane ride home.

Anyone who had visited Puerto Rico has most certainly witnessed first-hand the horrible stray dog problem that we have. Though some low-cost sterilization for pets is available, many pet owners here do not see the need for the procedure. As a result, we have an over-abundance of pets roaming the streets searching for food, shelter, and a loving touch from a human.

Manos por Patas provides medical services for these dogs, including sterilizations and vaccinations. They are hoping to broaden their programs to provide low-cost vaccination and sterilization services for all pets in Puerto Rico. They are also beginning a public awareness program, which includes radio and television spots, to increase awareness of the cruelty imposed on these animals. They are preparing programs to take to the schools to educate children about animal cruelty and the ethical treatment of animals.

How You Can Help

As you can imagine, providing care for these animals does not come cheaply. Though a number of vets offer reduced rates to volunteers who rescue strays, spaying/neutering and vaccinations are not free.
As are most animal welfare programs, Manos por Patas is seeking donations to help support these efforts.

If you have the time and/or space, you can get more personally involved by adopting one (or more!) of these animals, or by providing a foster home for them while they are awaiting adoption.

We know from experience that adopted strays make wonderful pets. We have 5 dogs and 1 cat - all adopted strays. Three of the dogs came from shelters when we lived in NJ. The other 2 and the cat were strays that adopted us here in Puerto Rico. That’s Coco, one of the satos we adopted here in Puerto Rico, in the photo to the right. We couldn’t ask for nicer, more loving pets. We only have so much room, otherwise we’d end up with many, many more. We’re suckers for a cold nose and big brown eyes.

How Can Tourists Help?

If you are a traveler flying back to the States from Puerto Rico, you can help too! Manos por Patas is looking for people to escort dogs destined for the States. They send dogs to shelters in the States where they’ll be more likely to be adopted into a new home. It costs about $250 per dog to ship them to the States alone. But if they are checked-in with a ticket-holding passenger, the cost is only about $100 per dog. It doesn’t cost you any extra to escort a dog on the plane - Manos por Patas pays the additional fees. They also take the dog to the airport, help with getting you, and the dog, checked in, and they make arrangements with the receiving shelter in the States for meeting you and picking up the dog. You can contact Manos por Patas if you are interested in helping out in this way.

You can read more about Manos por Patas on their website.