On the island of Puerto Rico, el Santuario de Animales San Francisco de Asis (SASFAPR) works tirelessly day in and day out to help homeless stray and abandoned animals.
The Santuario is located in Cabo Rojo, in western Puerto Rico. They are one of four shelters on the island where euthanasia is not performed for lack of space or time awaiting adoption. Their small but mighty team helps nearly 1000 animals annually through their programs, including rescue and rehabilitation, humane education efforts, and providing community assistance to pet owners in need.
Here at the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program (MSMP) at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, our team had the privilege of partnering with SASFAPR during the historic Spayathon for Puerto Rico initiative from 2018-2020. This monumental initiative took place in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017. They were invaluable, both as team members, as well as our ground team partners, making each round more successful than the last.
Like many on the island of Puerto Rico, the Sanctuario is no stranger to the hardships produced by natural disaster. During Hurricane Maria, the Santuario faced enormous losses, experiencing flooding of their facility, which engulfed the first floor of their building.
Now, just over one week ago, the Santuario faced the prospect of yet another hurricane that threatened to devastating damage once more, as Hurricane Fiona’s trajectory predicted a direct hit to the western portion of the island where they reside. In anticipation of damaging winds and rain, staff and volunteers strived to send as many animals as possible to foster care. Those that didn’t find temporary foster were moved to the second floor where the flood waters couldn’t reach, along with as many important items as possible. Unfortunately, Hurricane Fiona, produced flood waters that once more engulfed the entire first level of the shelter, and blew trees onto structures located within the property.
As soon as the raging flood waters slowed to allow for safe passage, workers traveled by boat to the shelter with the help of the National Guard. At the shelter, they found that all of the animals had survived unharmed, but they have once again lost most of the material goods that remained on-site.
They are still without water and electricity, and under extreme heat advisories; but that does not stop the heroes at the Santuario and their local volunteers from working tirelessly to ensure that their animals are safe and receiving the care they need.
Since the water began to recede five days ago, team members have walked to the Sanctuario to care for, feed and bathe, the 200 dogs and cats that remained at the facility during the hurricane.
This small but mighty team has also arranged transportation of animals to receiving shelters on the mainland, while assessing damage to the shelter and beginning the process of cleaning and repairing the many areas damaged by the hurricane.
From the bottom of our hearts here at MSMP, we are asking our followers to consider donating to this amazing team to help them rebuild and continue their tireless efforts to aid in caring for the dogs and cats in Puerto Rico.
Ways to Donate:
– ATH Movil – 787-612-8587
–Paypal – info@sasfapr.org
–Venmo – SASFAPR
-Mail – PO Box 538 Boquerón PR 00622-0538
-Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1ADQ4MO78OUII…
-Subscribe to our account at the Veterinary Clinic of Lajas. https://www.facebook.com/ClinicaVetLajas/
-Follow them on Instagram (@santuario.sasfapr) and Twitter (@SASFAPR), and help them spread their message of love.
*Any support/assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated.
