Sato Spirit to Shine at Project Animal Worldwide's Third Annual Reunion

July 6, 2012 - PRLog -- Eatontown, NJ- On Saturday, August 4th, 2012 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Project Animal Worldwide (PAW) invites its supporters and the general public to attend its Third Annual Sato Reunion hosted by the Wonder Bar located on 5th Avenue and Ocean in Asbury Park, NJ.  All shapes and sizes of “satos” (slang for mutts) from Puerto Rico and their forever families from across the NY/NJ region will enjoy a tail wagging afternoon to raise awareness and funds for PAW.  All dogs and their families are invited to attend and assist in honoring Puerto Rico’s canine survivors and its heroes in animal welfare. At the Reunion PAW will celebrate the inspiring work of Dr. Jose Cruz, Spay/Neuter Veterinarian at the Humane Society of Puerto Rico. The event admission, a donation to PAW, is $10 per person, $20 for a family of four. Please bring proof of rabies vaccination to attend with your dog.

“Consistent with our mission of spay/neuter and humane education, Project Animal Worldwide is thrilled to honor Dr. Jose Cruz of the Humane Society of Puerto Rico for his dedication to animal welfare,” said Ellen La Torre, Project Animal Worldwide. “Dr. Cruz has spearheaded several spay/neuter "intervention" days in rural areas of Puerto Rico resulting in the sterilization of hundreds of pets.  Project Animal had the privilege of participating at two of these interventions.”

For every 100 dogs brought to municipal shelters from the streets and beaches of Puerto Rico only three dogs will live. This alarming statistic propelled Project Animal Worldwide to collaborate with the government as well as businesses and organizations of all sizes to help stop the devastating stray overpopulation on the island.  Project Animal Worldwide has been working behind the scenes in Puerto Rico for the last three years in partnership with the local government, veterinarians and animal rescue groups to bring about the change and legislation necessary to save the innocent lives of thousands of dogs. PAW donations are used to assist in feral cat trap, neuter and release programs such as the one recently held on the small island of Culebra, as well as community-wide spay/neuter days and general education/awareness programs across Puerto Rico. PAW also assists in the rescue and rehabilitation of dogs and cats that are transported to the United States for adoption at partner organizations, the Monmouth County SPCA and Wag On Inn Rescue. PAW is currently creating a documentary called, "The Spirit of the Sato" to shed light on the unbreakable spirit of Puerto Rico's abandoned dog population (release date pending). More info on the organization's work is available at www.projectanimal.org.

Event fundraisers include a 50/50 raffle, gift auction raffle, jewelry sale and Project Animal Worldwide branded merchandise including t-shirts and a “Spirit of the Sato Street Life to Sweet Life 2013 Calendar” created by Chase and Snap Photography and Muse Designworks. The celebrity calendar cover pup is “Jersey” Lauren, a sato adopted in 2012 from the Monmouth County SPCA by Dylan Lauren of Dylan's Candy Bar in NYC and around the world.  Satos will receive a commemorative Puerto Rico flag bandana and the first 25 sato parents will receive a PAW tote bag.

For more information on Project Animal Worldwide or to purchase event tickets, contact Ellen La Torre at ellen@projectanimal.org or visit www.projectanimal.org.

About Project Animal Worldwide (PAW)

Project Animal Worldwide is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to develop spay/neuter programs, assist in animal rescue, and implement humane education in areas of the world where the homeless dog and cat population is unmanageable. PAW’s Board of Trustees include Keri Garcia, MRCVS, President; Francesca Alexander, Vice President; Ellen La Torre, Treasurer; Jean Greller, Secretary; Daran Haber, MD; and Kathy Miles. Visit www.projectanimal.org for more information. You can visit them on Facebook at Project Animal Worldwide and on Twitter @ProjectAnimalW.