irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $289KTHE ORGANIZATION ALSO ADDRESSES THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF THE ISLAND'S SEVERE OVERPOPULATION CRISIS BY PROVIDING NO-COST SPAY, NEUTER, AND VACCINATION SERVICES THROUGH ITS OPERATION SATO PROGRAM. ITS MAIN GOAL IS SIMPLE: DISRUPT THE OVERPOPULATION CRISIS IN PUERTO RICO WITH A SYSTEMIC INTERVENTION ON OVERBREEDING AND THE TRANSMISSION OF DISEASE, FOR BOTH OWNED AND STRAY DOGS. OPERATION SATO OFFERS REGULAR HIGH-VOLUME MOBILE CLINICS IN LOCATIONS AROUND THE SOUTHEAST SECTION OF THE ISLAND, AS WELL AS 250 VOUCHERS PER MONTH FOR IN-CLINIC STERILIZATION/VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS. EACH DOG TREATED IN OUR PROGRAM RECEIVES OVER $650 WORTH OF CRUCIAL VETERINARY SERVICES, COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE TO OWNERS WHOSE DOGS ARE REMAINING ON ISLAND AND TO STRAY CARETAKERS. TO DATE, THE ORGANIZATION HAS PROVIDED FREE SERVICES TO OVER 4,500 ANIMALS THROUGH OPERATION SATO.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Freedom Flights
Transports rescued dogs from Puerto Rico to the Northeastern U.S. for adoption, coordinating flights and ground transport to connect dogs with pre-approved adopters or foster homes.
Operation Sato
Provides free high-volume mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinics in southeastern Puerto Rico, offering over $650 in veterinary services per animal to address overpopulation and disease transmission.
Sanctuary by The Sato Project
Operates a care facility in Puerto Rico where rescued dogs receive medical treatment, behavioral enrichment, and socialization before being flown to adoptive families.
Spayathon for Puerto Rico Coalition
Community outreach initiative providing subsidized spay/neuter services and vaccinations to reduce dog overpopulation across the island.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Structured Animal Adoption Program 1 activity
- Adoption coordination and post-adoption supportManages public listings of adoptable dogs via website and social media, conducts behavioral assessments for household compatibility, and provides post-adoption support including training advice and follow-up check-ins. Also operates a private Facebook group for adopters to share resources and stay connected.
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Pre-Adoption Veterinary Care for Shelter Animals 1 activity
- Comprehensive veterinary care and quarantine for rescued dogsProvides mandatory 21-day quarantine and a full 14-page veterinary protocol for every rescued dog, including vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and treatment for injuries or illness. Daily veterinary care continues in Puerto Rico until dogs are ready for transport.
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Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Foster care support for rescued dogs in the Northeast U.S.Places rescued dogs in foster homes across NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD, and NH, providing fosters with crates, leashes, harnesses, and covering all veterinary expenses. The organization also coordinates volunteer-led transport from Morristown, NJ, to foster locations.
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Animal Welfare and Rescue Support 1 activity
- Rescue and relocation of stray dogs from Puerto RicoRescues stray dogs, particularly from high-risk areas such as Dead Dog Beach and municipal shelters, and relocates them to the mainland U.S. for foster and adoption. The organization has rescued over 8,000 dogs since inception and prioritizes vulnerable animals including the young, pregnant, injured, or sick.
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Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Services 1 activity
- Spay/neuter and vaccination outreach programs in Puerto RicoConducts community-based spay/neuter and vaccination clinics for dogs and cats in Puerto Rico, including through the Spayathon for Puerto Rico coalition. Over 10,000 animals have been served through these programs.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.65M
Contributions & grants$2.49M94%
Program service revenue$140K5%
Investment income$18K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.47M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$592K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.28M
Cash$492K
Investments$314K
Liabilities$956K
Net assets$1.32M
Liquid reserves3.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINA BECKLES | PRESIDENT | 60 | $124K |
board members · 5
- ANNYA RAMIREZ — DIRECTOR
- DEVIN SHANAHAN — SECRETARY & TREASURER
- GANNON MCMORROW — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT BECKLES — DIRECTOR
- TRACY WARREN — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Barbara Slifka Partner — Dedicated supporter and philanthropist whose contributions enabled the growth of The Sato Project.
- CNN Partner — Produced a video in 2015 highlighting the organization's life-saving efforts.
- Candelero Animal Hospital Partner — Valued veterinary partner providing daily care for rescued dogs until adoption
- Dead Dog Beach Partner — Site where long-term dog rescue efforts are focused
- FEMA Government — Coordinates with The Sato Project team to investigate new dogs appearing at Dead Dog Beach, which is now a FEMA and Homeland Security headquarters.
- Homeland Security Government — Shares presence at Dead Dog Beach headquarters with The Sato Project and maintains contact for reporting and investigating new dogs.
- Humane Society and Shelter - SouthCoast Partner — Designated quarantine facility for Massachusetts adopters picking up dogs from The Sato Project.
- Patrick’s Place Partner — Designated quarantine facility for Massachusetts adopters picking up dogs from The Sato Project.
- Petfinder Partner — Lists adoptable dogs for public viewing and adoption outreach.
- Puerto Rico Government — Geographic focus of rescue operations and advocacy for official recognition of sato dogs.
- SATO United Network — Coalition of local veterinarians in Puerto Rico providing discounted vetting packages and free transport for rescued animals.
- Spayathon for Puerto Rico Coalition Partner — Collaborates to spay and neuter over 7,000 dogs and cats in Puerto Rico.
- The 1994 Christopher W. Johnson Charitable Trust Funder — Charitable trust providing support to The Sato Project
- The Bernard G. and Geraldine R. Segal Foundation Funder — Foundation providing support to The Sato Project
- The Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Foundation Funder — Foundation providing support to The Sato Project
- The Empty Cages Forever Charitable Trust Funder — Charitable trust providing support to The Sato Project
- University of Puerto Rico Partner — Employer of team members involved in rescue operations and source of professional expertise in animal science
- volunteer@thesatoproject.org Partner — Point of contact for volunteer coordination and engagement.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Foster-Based Rehabilitation Model 294 orgsmethodology: foster_based_rehabilitationBy placing rescued dogs in volunteer foster homes, the organization provides individualized, nurturing environments that enable behavioral recovery and socialization, increasing the likelihood of successful adoption—especially for dogs severely affected by abuse or neglect.shared approach: Rescue and Rehabilitation →
- Integrated Animal Welfare Model 294 orgsmethodology: integrated_animal_welfareBy combining emergency rescue with long-term prevention programs—including spay/neuter, vaccination, adoption, and education—the organization creates systemic change in animal welfare, addressing both immediate suffering and root causes of overpopulation and abandonment.shared approach: Rescue and Rehabilitation →
- Public Perception Rebranding of Sato Dogs 294 orgsmethodology: public_perception_rebrandingBy reframing sato dogs as valuable, adoptable, and emblematic of Puerto Rican identity, the organization increases public support and adoption rates, countering stigma and promoting cultural recognition as a driver of systemic change.shared approach: Rescue and Rehabilitation →
- Rescue and Relocation to Expand Adoption Opportunities 294 orgsmethodology: rescue_and_relocationBy rescuing dogs from high-risk environments in Puerto Rico and relocating them to mainland foster homes and shelters, the organization increases access to adopters and reduces euthanasia rates, leveraging geographic disparity in shelter capacity and demand.shared approach: Rescue and Rehabilitation →