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Action Starting on Behalf of the Animals of Puerto Rico

December 24, 2007, 6:24PM MT

By Jennifer S Hayes

Loss of tourism dollars spurs governmental participation.

Loss of tourism dollars spurs governmental participation.

By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff

Reaction to the 80 pets that had been hurled off a bridge in Barceloneta in October has taken some time; however, worldwide condemnation and the recent announcement of Puerto Rico’s loss of $15 million in tourism revenue since the incident, have prompted action. Authorities are now paying attention to the many letters and signed petitions calling for justice and attention to the welfare of animals on the island.

In November, charges were filed against Animal Control Solutions, Julio Diaz and two other employees in connection with the animals’ deaths and injuries. The preliminary hearing began on December 20 has been continued to January 4, due to the large number of witnesses giving testimony.

Sol Luis Fontanez, Mayor of Barceloneta has also announced the city will build a new animal shelter. He has requested bids to build a facility to hold animals on a temporary basis, until they are sent to Mayaguez, one of only six municipal animal shelters in Puerto Rico.

Action plan leads to the creation of a coalition

Since October, various governmental agencies have become interested in the issue of stray animals in Puerto Rico. Spotting an opportunity to further animal welfare, Elizabeth Kracht of Amigos de los Animales created an action plan, which she presented to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Kracht says, “I developed it trying to give an overview of everything that is happening on the island. There needs to be a bridge between the government, private, and rescue entities.” After researching other successful plans, including the Best Friends: Nine Model Programs for Highly Successful Spay/Neuter, she formulated a proposal that recommends acquisition of animal census statistics, training of Animal Welfare Officers, building of additional shelters, providing spay and neuter services, education in schools, and promotion through a public relations campaign.

It was shortly after this meeting that the Puerto Rico Tourism Company announced the formation of the Puerto Rico Coalition for the Well-Being of Animals. Kracht believes they will begin to incorporate animal welfare into their “Mi Isla es Precios” (my island is precious) campaign. It currently promotes the beautification of Puerto Rico and discourages littering; however, spaying and neutering of companion animals will be added.

The formation of the coalition is still in progress, though current members already include Amigos de los Animales, Save a Sato, Alianza Pro-Adopcion de Mascotas, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association ,and Oficina Estatal de Control Animal (OECA).

The Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association also wants to become involved. The agency hosted an Animal Management and Control Forum in San Juan earlier this month. The turnout was good, despite a tropical storm that hit the island that day. This was an excellent opportunity to place faces to names among the many attendees who had previously only communicated through phone or e-mail.

Speakers included Dr. Sara Pizano, the Director of Miami-Dade Animal Services, who discussed similar problems in her region along with solutions that have succeeded in helping to overcome those challenges and Dr. César González, the Director of the Centro de Control de Animales de Carolina, one of the island’s municipal shelters.

So far, multiple agencies have been receptive to suggestions and training. Kracht comments that “Everyone is coming together to make connections to really facilitate change.” Participants from the local animal rescue organizations say the meeting was a good first step; however, there is still a need for additional networking and planning.

A cause for concern

The latest meetings between the various animal rescue organizations and governmental agencies have been positive in nature. However, strays in Puerto Rico have historically been thought of as a public nuisance and events such as the forum still openly discuss how to deal with “the problem.” Animal advocates are attempting to educate the community, both public and private, on how to help the stray overpopulation in a humane way.

One worry is that the recent events are only an immediate reaction to counteract the bad press received. Agencies are agreeing to new programs; however, nothing has yet been actually implemented. Says Edilia Vazquez of Save a Sato, “We need to continue to keep the pressure on, so the promises are kept.”

More disturbing is the possibility that loose and stray animals are now being rounded up in “beach sweeps.” The incident in Barceloneta is proof that not all animals collected by officials end up at a shelter. Unfortunately, those that are successfully transported to a municipal shelter have only about an 8% chance of making it out alive. “Beach sweeps of stray animals are certainly not what any of us rescue organizations had in mind as a solution to the stray animal problem Puerto Rico is facing,” states Kracht. “Beach sweeps are certainly within the rights of the municipalities …, but in an effort for all of us to finally begin to work together - public and private agencies - this certainly isn't a show of good faith.”

She notes, “We haven't worked this hard, and come all this way and embraced working with entities we hardly know, to have beach sweeps of the strays we are in the process of rescuing and helping occur.”

Update on Yoli, a survivor (pictured in lead graphic as she is currently and below from back in October)

Yoli is one of the few Barceloneta dogs that survived the fall from the 50-foot bridge. She did not; however, escape unscathed. Yoli suffered a broken spine, pelvis, and legs. Upon discovery, she was taken to a veterinarian and then referred to an orthopedic specialist for surgery.

While she can stand, she is unable to walk on her own. Maritza Rodriquez of Alianza Pro-Adopcion de Mascotas is currently fostering her and a makeshift cart has been built, so that she can be mobile. To continue her healing progress, she undergoes therapy twice a day. Despite all that she has had to endure, Vazquez states that “Yoli is in super good spirits and plays with the other dogs.”

For more information:
• MSNBC: Puerto Rico's tourism suffers after outcry
• Associated Press: Puerto Rico City to Build Animal Shelter
• 2008 Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference: April 21-24, 2008
• The Pegasus Foundation Caribbean Animal Welfare

How you can help:
• Please remember, Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. It is important to continue to keep the pressure on governmental officials and inform them that now is the time to address ongoing animal welfare issues in a humane manner.

Governor Aníbal Acevedo-Vilá
La Fortaleza
P.O. Box 9020082
San Juan, PR 00902
Phone: 787-721-7000
Fax: 787-724-6942
Contact the Governor through his website

Terestella González Denton
Executive Director
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
PO Box 4435
San Juan, PR 00902-4435
Phone: 787-721-2400
Fax: 787-722-6238
E-mail: Terestella.Gonzalez@prtourism.com

Clarisa Jiménez
President and CEO
Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association
165 Ponce de León
Suite 301
San Juan, PR 00917-1233
Phone: 787-758-8001
Fax: 787-758-8091
E-mail: cjimenez@prhta.org

• Donations have covered the costs of Yoli’s original surgery. However, additional funds are needed for her continued rehabilitation, plus an additional surgery may be necessary. While a homemade cart has been given to Yoli, one specifically designed for a dog of Yoli’s size is needed for her to maintain her mobility. Any donations toward her care can be sent to Save a Sato (please note the gift is for Yoli) and please e-mail either twig@saveasato.org or edi@saveasato.org to inform them of the coming donation.
• Educational posters about Law 67 (Protection of Animals) have already been printed for distribution to all 240 police stations on the island. The Deputy Director of Public Housing has also requested another 335 posters, to be placed in all of their administrative offices. Please contact edi@saveasato.org if you wish to help contribute to the $700 needed for a second printing.
• Support the many Puerto Rican animal welfare organizations in their effort to save animals on the island. You do not need to be in Puerto Rico to help. Donations can be made to assist them in continuing their work, and in many cases, individuals can volunteer remotely.

Photo credit:
Lead photo reprinted with permission by Twig Mowatt of Save a Sato of Yoli.
Photos #2 & #3: Posted with permission by Ginny Cornett of Manos por Patas
from a sterilization clinic
Photo #4: Posted with permission by Twig Mowatt of Save a Sato of Yoli with Leisha Swayne.

Comments

Posted March 10, 2008, 10:30AM by smaseda

HI ALL! I AM ORGANIZING AN EVENT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL I TEACH AT IN NJ - MONMOUTH REGIONAL IN TINTON FALLS. IT WILL BE SAT., MAY 10TH, 2008 AT SCHOOL AND WILL CONSIST OF AN AMATEUR DOG SHOW AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES W/ YOUR DOGS AND ITS ALL TO BENEFIT "SAVE A SATO.ORG" ... IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA CONSIDER ATTENDING!!

Posted December 27, 2007, 9:33AM by ratmom

It's too bad that the plight of these animals isn't enough to implement changes, that it has to be as a result of economic impact as a result of a drop in tourism, but it's a good thing that these changes are finally happening. The whole world is watching. The Internet doesn't miss a trick!

Posted December 25, 2007, 12:24PM by jennifer

While it's sad to me that it took losing $15 million in tourism dollars to make the government actually look at the problem and read the letters etc., at least the horror of the incident is actually being looked at, and solutions sought.

Posted December 25, 2007, 8:35PM by yvette

We need to continue to apply pressure for them to keep their promises. We have no plans to to visit Puerto Rico again any time soon - and this is directly related to this incident.

Great article Jennifer!