DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The Humane Society of Greater Dayton is offering love, attention and the promise of a better life to 26 dogs rescued from Puerto Rico.
This past weekend, a plane pulled into a hangar at the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport. Inside, were 26 dogs on board – all in need of help. The Humane Society of Greater Dayton was there with staff and volunteers prepared to accept the dogs, according to a release.
In partnership with The Sato Project and Wings of Rescue, the rescued dogs came to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton to help address a severe overpopulation problem in Puerto Rico.
According to The Sato Project, there are an estimated 500,000 dogs roaming Puerto Rico right now as strays with most shelters on the island having a euthanasia rate of 94% or higher. Groups such as The Sato Project partner with rescues to save as many lives as possible.
National groups including the Humane Society of the United States are involved with large-scale spay and neuter programs to humanely decrease the dog populations in Puerto Rico. These efforts, along with dog placements within multiple areas throughout the United States, will have an enormous life-saving impact.
Sato dogs are considered dogs that are typically smaller dogs, under 30 pounds, and are terrier mixes. While at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, these dogs will go immediately into foster homes, the release states.
They will be examined by a veterinarian as well as spayed or neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested, de-wormed, flea-treated and microchipped prior to being available for adoption.
The project has been going for more than 10 years, relocating thousands of dogs from Puerto Rico, easing pressure on local shelters on the island, and saving dogs’ lives..
Christina Beckles, President & Founder of The Sato Project said, “There’s half a million stray dogs on an island that’s roughly the size of the state of Connecticut. We have our own rescue program where we rescue dogs from the streets and beaches. But as we are able and as we have access to these planes, we are trying to help these municipal shelters as well.
The mission would not have been possible if the Humane Society and The Sato Project had not met at the puppy bowl.
Melissa Giordano, Adoption Manager for The Sato Project said, “I met Stephanie there and we started talking, and, you know, we’re always looking for new opportunities to send our dogs, and she was interested, and we made it happen.”
The Humane Society will be holding an adoption event this Saturday in Beavercreek.
You can find the time and place on their website here.
