There are now some groups on Facebook that match people with animals in need transport with people who can carry them on. Check out Puerto Rico Travelers Flight Angel or Have Crate, Will Travel Flight Nannies

Anyone who visits Puerto Rico can’t help but notice that we have a stray animal problem. These strays, which are usually mixed breeds, are locally called satos (that’s local slang for "street dogs") or gatos (for cats). The stray problem is due to lack of education and affordable spay/neuter programs, along with inadequate animal control and animal shelters. These scared, lonely, hungry, and sometimes injured animals are everywhere around the island.

The Animals Need Your Help Now!

The animals need help now. Currently, there are a number of non-profit organizations on the island that help the animals. I made a list of some of them below. Each one is wonderful. They rescue dogs and cats from beaches, streets, or anywhere across the island of Puerto Rico. They give the animals immediate food, veterinary care, shelter, and lots of love. With the help of volunteers, these animals are rehabilitated. When they are healthy and ready, they are sent to to the continental US to be adopted.

It is a great system, but it has one major obstacle — transporting the animals up to the States. Many new Federal laws, State laws, and airline rules have made getting the animals up to the States more difficult and more expensive than in the past. Especially when being shipped as cargo (versus carry-on). Additionally, in the summertime, when temperatures are HOT, we have very limited windows of opportunity during which we can ship animals as cargo (due to the heat). For puppies, smaller dogs, and cats that can fit under the seat in a pet carrier, sending the animal with someone who is flying is inexpensive and easy.

Do you think that, maybe, you can help out and be that someone?

How Can I Be An Nanny/ Escort/ Flight Angel?

These organizations have made the process of being an animal escort very easy. There is no additional cost to you as the escort, and it requires very little time or effort on your part. Once matched with an animal in need, you may need to call the airline and add the animal to your ticket or (depending on the airline), the rescue may be able to add it for you. The airline will charge extra for the animal, but the rescue group will pay..

The organizations will make sure the animals have all the necessary shots and paperwork, transport them to and from the airports fro hand off.

The only thing you, as an escort/angel, have to do is meet the representative who has the animal (already in the carry-on) at the airport. You then get the animal checked in at the airline counter. Then you go through security (you will have to take the animal out of the carry on to walk through scanner), and then put the animal back in the bag. A little hint- put the carrier on belt before your other stuff, so you can get animal back into the carrier before trying to deal with your own stuff. Then you bring the carryon on the plane, Place it under your seat. At the other end, you meet the other rescue representative at the arrival airport. You will be given contact info, and all the arrangements will be made ahead of time.

What Airlines? What Cities?

Each rescue group has their own specific system and destinations. I think they can use any airline, and primarily need people travelling on flights out of the San Juan airport (SJU) that are going mainly to east coast cities, such as Boston, New York, and Newark, Chicago. They might be able to coordinate with flights departing from the Aguadilla airport (BQN) on the west coast. Non-stop flights work best, but they may be able to work something out with any travel plan. Please contact the rescue organizations and see if you can help.

OK. So What Do I Need To Do?

There are new Facebook groups that will easily match people who want to carry an animal on (A Flight angel or Flight Nanny) and the rescue groups that need a flyer! Puerto Rico Travelers Flight Angel or Have Crate, Will Travel Flight Nannies. Or if you want to contact a rescue group privately, see the list below. You need to let them know your travel date and destination. You’re best off contacting them at least a few weeks prior to your travel dates. They will find animals that will be “ready to go”, but they do need a few weeks lead time to coordinate with the receiving shelter, getting final vet paperwork, and arranging for volunteers to transport the animal to/from the airport. This takes some time, so be patient after your initial contact — they are working busily to match you with animals in need!

Some of the many rescue groups on the Island

Contact a few of the groups on this list with your travel plans (date, airline, airport) and email address.

• Wags 2 Riches Dog Rescue — This group needs travelers primarily to Boston (BOS). Email your info to info@Wags2RichesDogRescue.org, or contact them through Facebook.
• Paradise Rescue — This group needs travelers primarily to Chicago, Grand Rapids, New York, and Saint Louis. Email your info to ParadiseRescue.PR@gmail.com, or contact them through Facebook.
• For The Love of Satos — This group can use travelers going almost anywhere! . Please contact them through their Facebook page- via message.
• Observatory Cats — They need people going to New York City or the north east coast. You can contact them with a message through Facebook.
• Love4Satos — This group needs travelers primarily to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Send your travel info to email letstalk@love4satos.org or as a message on their: Facebook page.
• All Sato Rescue — This group needs travelers primarily to Boston, New York, Providence, Hartford, or Portland (Maine). Email your info to edi@allsatorescue.org, twig@allsatorescue.org, or aaron@allsatorescue.org.
• Island Dog — They need people headed to Phialdelphia. Email your info to info@islanddog.org.
• Souls of Satos — They need people going to New York, New Jersey, California, Utah and Minnesota. You can contact them with a message through Facebook.
• El Foster Clubs — They need people going to New York, New Jersey, California, Utah and Minnesota. You can contact them with a message through Facebook.
• Angels for Animals PR — .
• Animal Lighthouse Rescue — They need people headed to NYC. Email your info to info@ALRcares.com or as a message on their: Facebook page.

I am not sure if the following rescue groups need travelers, but I would assume they do! Try contacting them:

• Save a Sato
• Amigos de los Animales
• PAWS- Puerto Rico Animal Welfare Society in Isabela
• Animal Rescue Foundation Rincon
• The Sato Project
• Second Chance Animal Rescue
• Ciudadanos Pro Albergue de Animales de Aguadilla

These are just a few of the great groups doing work to help these animals. But they need your help! So even if you can’t escort an animal and want to help, any of these organizations would love a donation!

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