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Defensa has been helping rescuers and animals in Puerto Rico since our founding in 2013. Every photo on this website is of the real animals and community members we have helped over the years.

We are a Federal 501c3 and Hacienda 1101.01(a)(2) Non Profit Organization qualified for Act Donations. We have achieved the highest rating yearly with 3rd Party Great NonProfits & Candid Guidestar

Nothing we do is for profit, Everything we do is to help the animals and the animal rescuers of Puerto Rico.

Help For Abandoned, Abused, Neglected, Mistreated Animals in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Law 154 — the Animal Welfare and Protection Act — protects animals from abandonment, neglect, and abuse.

If you believe an animal is suffering or in danger contact the local Police.  Most all police stations & Mayors offices in Puerto Rico have connections to local veterinarians and animal care professionals.  As well as knowing who the owner is of a specific animal in their area

Puerto Rico Police main switchboard: 787-793-1234
Emergencies or immediate danger: 911
Puerto Rico Police Confidential Tip Line: 787-343-2020
OICA – Animal Cruelty Investigators: 787-731-7183

If you are concerned about identifying yourself, ask the officer what options may be available to protect your identity.

Obtain

• The complaint or police case number
• The officer’s name
• The officer’s badge number
• Contact information for the police station or officer

If you encounter resistance or an officer does not want to take the complaint, you may respectfully ask to speak with a supervisor.

The Police are required to investigate circumstances, attempt to identify the animal’s owner or custodian, and determine whether there may be abandonment, neglect, abuse, or another violation of Law 154 while coordinating help for the animal with their community connections to local animal welfare individuals 

After contacting the Police, you or another concerned person may also:

• Notify the municipality or mayor’s office where the animal is located and ask what resources may be available, Including contacting the district prosecutor’s office (Fiscalía) serving the municipality where the incident occurred.

• Request municipal or emergency assistance when an animal is in immediate danger.

• Post truthful information on Facebook or other community pages asking for help. include the police complaint information so others can contact the same police with the same information until the animal is helped.   Avoid making accusations. Social media can bring concerned people together to politely and persistently follow up with the same police station or municipal office.

If the animal needing assistance is a horse, email us the link to the PUBLIC FACEBOOK POST you made and we will share it.   In parallel the Police or the horse’s owner can request our help by email to DefensaRincon@gmail.com

All horses in Puerto Rico have an owner. The Police, the municipality, and members of the community who work with horses may also be able to help identify or locate the responsible person when their identity is unknown.

As a nonprofit organization registered with the IRS and Puerto Rico Department of Treasury we must work within the legal process – meaning with the owner or the Police/legal authorities

For assistance with animals other than horses, please visit our Veterinarians and Other Rescue Groups page for additional resources.