Puerto Rican rescue dogs arrive in New Jersey to meet adopters in Sato Project’s Freedom Flight
On board The Sato Project's Freedom Flight were Clara and Juliet, two sisters who survived the streets of Puerto Rico and now found a forever home—together
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) – The Sato Project, a leading animal rescue organization dedicated to disrupting the stray dog overpopulation crisis in Puerto Rico, on Saturday flew 37 dogs to meet their adopters in New Jersey.
The flight was operated by RetrievAir, along with airline partner RVR, and supported by generous contributions from several key partners, including Christopher N. Harding and Flew The Coop, The Miranda Family Fund, Tracy and Andy Warren, Sidewalk Angels, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
According to The Sato Project, an estimated 650,000 stray dogs currently roam the streets and beaches of Puerto Rico. This Freedom Flight, as they call it, was part of the rescue’s “one-two punch approach” to addressing the overpopulation crisis in Puerto Rico. Their mission seeks to interrupt the cycle of over-breeding at the root through a combination of no-cost spay/neuter/vaccination clinics and adoptions. On board the flight were Clara and Juliet, sato sisters found, and now adopted, together.
“Clara and Juliet won the lottery,” says Chrissy Beckles, the President/Founder of The Sato Project. “Their new owners hired a trainer weeks before bringing the girls home. They’ve been going on family pack walks every day and playing together in the backyard. We are so happy for these sweet sisters – from the streets of Puerto Rico to safe and loved in a big family, together.”
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Christopher N. Harding and Flew The Coop®, the animal welfare arm of Global Empowerment Mission, have supported The Sato Project’s missions for years—contributing to several life-saving airlifts and initiatives. Most recently, Flew The Coop® launched a new initiative in partnership with FidoAlert™, the largest free nationwide pet alert network, to provide tools and resources for keeping pets safe during natural disasters, including hurricane preparedness tips and real-time lost pet alerts.
“We’ve seen firsthand the incredible work Chrissy and her team at The Sato Project do,” said Christopher Harding, founder of Flew The Coop. “Our mission is to show up where animals need us most, and The Sato Project’s tireless efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs align with everything we stand for. We’re proud to have been part of this critical Freedom Flight and to work alongside Chrissy to give every animal a second chance.”
To make a contribution to The Sato Project’s fundraising efforts, you can visit their campaign page.
