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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’s Law 154 protects animals from abandonment, abuse, neglect and mistreatment. If you believe an animal is suffering or in danger, the process must begin with a report to the Puerto Rico Police, commonly called the “Blue Police” in the town of the animal.  The Puerto Rico Police Main Switchboard is 787-793-1234  ask to be connected with the Law 154 Coordinator. For an animal in immediate danger or another urgent emergency, call 911.

If you are afraid to identify yourself, ask the officer how your identity can be protected. Do not let fear of identifying yourself prevent you from alerting authorities about an animal that may be suffering.

Ask to make a formal police complaint. Before leaving or ending the call, obtain:

  • The police complaint or case number
  • The officer’s name
  • The officer’s badge number
  • The officer’s telephone number or station information

Without a police complaint number, it will be difficult to verify that an official investigation was opened or to follow up on the case.

If an officer refuses to take the report or you encounter resistance, politely ask to speak with a supervisor, do not give up – remember you are the animal’s voice.

The Police must first locate or identify the animal’s owner or guardian, investigate the animal’s condition and determine whether abandonment, neglect, abuse or another violation of Law 154 has occurred.

Additional Steps You Can Take

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

  1. Notify the municipal government or mayor’s office where the animal is located.
  2. Request appropriate municipal or emergency assistance when the animal is in immediate danger.
  3. Make a factual public post on Facebook asking for appropriate help. Include the police complaint number if it is safe and appropriate to do so. Share photographs, the general location and observable facts, but avoid unverified accusations.
  4. If the Police do not resolve the matter, take the police complaint number and supporting evidence to the local prosecutor’s office—Fiscalía—and ask that the matter be reviewed.

Never enter private property, remove an animal or confront its owner without lawful authorization.

Assistance With Horses

The remainder of this page concerns horses. For help involving other animals, please visit our Veterinarians & Other Rescue Groups page.

Most horses in Puerto Rico have an identifiable owner or guardian. Local police departments and municipal governments often know people who work with horses and may be able to help identify the owner. They should investigate when the owner is unknown.

A municipality may also be able to provide temporary assistance while the owner is being located or veterinary help is arranged.

We require the process to begin with the Police because horses are legally considered property and cannot simply be entered upon, removed or relocated without lawful authority. As a nonprofit organization registered with the IRS and Puerto Rico Hacienda, Defensa Animal de Puerto Rico must operate within the law.

While waiting for the proper authorities, and only when it is safe and lawful to do so, you may offer the horse clean water and grass or hay. Do not provide unfamiliar grain, medications or other treatments without veterinary direction.

Veterinary Assistance

You may arrange for Dr. Ramos to examine the horse or transport the horse—with legal authorization—to his clinic in Hatillo.

Defensa Animal de Puerto Rico may pay for an approved veterinary visit, but you must email us and receive our approval before the appointment or visit:

DefensaRincon@gmail.com

If another equine veterinarian is available, we may also consider paying for the visit. You must contact us in advance and provide sufficient information so we can verify the situation. A factual public Facebook post documenting the horse’s condition may assist with that verification.

Veterinary payment approval does not authorize anyone to enter private property, take possession of a horse or transport it without the owner’s consent or proper legal authority.

When Our Organization Becomes Involved

If the Police need our assistance, they may contact us by email.

We do not investigate complaints, confiscate horses or take action against an owner independently. Our direct involvement begins after the Police or appropriate authorities contact us.

When a lawful placement is needed for a horse in Puerto Rico, we normally begin by using social media to seek appropriate assistance near the area where the horse is located.

We are also encouraging every municipality in Puerto Rico to establish a small equine rescue and rehabilitation field modeled after the successful program developed in Rincón, western Puerto Rico.

Learn more and share the concept here:

INDIVIDUAL MUNICIPAL EQUINE RESCUE & REHABILITATION COMMUNITY CENTERS

You can see some of the horses we have helped since 2013 on our #ARescuedHorse Puerto Rico page.