Monmouth County SPCA Joins Efforts To Save Dogs Slated For Euthanasia In Puerto Rico

EATONTOWN, NJ - The Monmouth County SPCA has teamed up with other animal rescue organizations to fly and temporarily shelter dogs from Puerto Rico that were slated for eventual euthanasia.

The rescued dogs are part of The Sato Project, which concentrates on saving dogs from Puerto Rico. The SPCA has teamed up with the Humane Society of the United States and Wings Of Hope to fly the dogs on two planes.

The dogs are expected to arrive in the United States mainland early Wednesday evening, according to the SPCA.

“We’re happy to be a landing point for the rescued dogs from Puerto Rico and the Sato Project.” says Ross Licitra, Chief of Police and Executive Director of the Monmouth County SPCA, “We’ve always had great success in adopting out Sato dogs and have received nothing but support from our surrounding communities when participating in these types of efforts. We believe all animals deserve a second chance and we’re proud to support animal rescue in all capacities.”

The Monmouth SPCA has agreed to be a drop-off location for over 66 dogs that will arrive in New Jersey very early Wednesday morning. The SPCA will take 20 of the dogs. The rest of the rescued animals will be placed in shelters along the East coast to be placed up for adoption.

"The dogs, if not rescued, would ultimately face euthanasia, as over 90 percent of the animals that enter the shelter system in Puerto Rico do not make it back out," according to the SPCA.

Animal Rescue Fund of East Hampton, Animal Haven of New York City and The Sato Project will be present at the Eatontown location to have the dogs divided among the MCSPCA and the three other rescue organizations.

The Monmouth County Freeholders and the Monmouth County Highway Department donated floodlights to assist in the drop-off, since it was slated to take place in the dark.

The Monmouth County SPCA would also like to thank Wegmans of Ocean for donating $150 worth of food for the 50+ staff and volunteers that will be participating in the drop-off.

The dogs will undergo medical and behavioral assessment and be placed up for adoption within the next few weeks. For more information on how to adopt, please email adoptions@monmouthcountyspca.org or call 732-542-5962.

Photo: Courtesy of the Sato Project