Introducing Pippi’s Project
In March of 2025, the Mutt Dog team packed our bags for Puerto Rico to volunteer with the Mutt Fund at Pippi’s Project, a 2-day TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, release) clinic with Miracles for Satos Rescue and Veterinarians for Puerto Rico.
Like everything at Mutt Dog, Pippi’s Project was inspired by a mutt and a mission to help.
Like our mutt Neptune, Pippi was a Sato (a Puerto Rican street dog) who was rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico, made her way to New England, and trotted right into her family’s hearts. Pippi didn’t know it yet, but she was about to start a chain reaction for other Satos just like her, the very beginning of Pippi’s Project.z
The Stray Crisis in Puerto Rico
With an estimated 650,000 stray dogs on the island, there are approximately 185 dogs per square mile. Can you imagine that? Although rescue organizations across the island work tirelessly to care for, trap & adopt out these stray dogs, it’s just not possible to get ahead of the population growth. That’s where trap, neuter, vaccinate, release comes in, providing an intervention that stops population growth at the source. TNVR events like Pippi’s Project are vital to begin to address the over-population of street dogs and improve the health and longevity of these animals and their communities.
The Clinic
Joining Pippi’s legacy, the Mutt Dog team volunteered alongside dedicated rescue and veterinarian volunteers. Thanks to the hard work of Veterinarians for Puerto Rico and Miracles for Satos, 84 satos (dogs) and 44 gatos (cats) were spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and released back into their communities.
Most of these animals were strays—well known to and lovingly fed by local community feeders. After receiving their procedures, each dog and cat was monitored closely for recovery before being returned to the streets they call home.
While rescues would love nothing more than to bring every stray into a loving family, TNVR remains the most impactful and humane way to reduce overpopulation and improve the wellbeing of animals across the island.
The Community
Pippi’s Project was a true community effort. The municipality of Vega Alta partnered with the clinic to help collect and release dogs, distribute vouchers so local pet owners could access free services, and even spread awareness through the mayor herself—who visited the clinic to show support and share the work being done.
We were also grateful to bring along creators to document and amplify this mission. Isabel (@simonsits) and Eric & Joey (@eric.and.joey) joined us in Vega Alta to help shed light on the reality of Puerto Rico’s stray crisis and the hope that comes from compassionate, collective action. You can see their content from the trip linked below.
Every clinic like this is a step toward a future where fewer animals suffer on the streets, and more communities can thrive alongside healthy, cared-for pets. We are grateful to have spent the weekend working alongside these heroes who make an every-day difference for dogs in their community!
Mutt Missions
This trip inspired us to launch Mutt Missions, a series of rescue trips to lend a paw and support awesome orgs like Miracles for Satos and Veterinarians for Puerto Rico who are doing good for dogs.
We can’t wait to see where it takes us next!
