How to Adopt a Sato

“Sato" is a Spanish slang term meaning a mixed-breed street dog, thousands of whom roam the streets of Puerto Rico. Most were born feral and live as strays all around the island. Health and welfare groups have recently come to the rescue of the satos, taking them off the streets, caring for them, and sending them to partner shelters in the continental United States for adoption into good homes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Visit the Save a Sato website to understand the history of these stray Puerto Rican mutts and find a list of local shelters in the U.S. where you can apply to adopt a sato (see Resources below).

2. Prepare for surprises. Satos will initially act subdued and needy. However, once they realize that they are no longer in jeopardy, their true personalities will surface.

3. Get ready to housebreak even an older dog. Regardless of their age, satos have spent their lives outdoors. Avoid punishment and use ample rewards.

4. Move all edible items to higher ground. Satos are used to scrounging for every scrap of food and that won't change just because you keep their bowl full of chow.

5. Be patient. These dogs have experienced a drastic change. They are suddenly being loved by the humans who may have abused or neglected them in the past. If your sato initially acts destructively or fearful, give him time to adjust.

6. Consider your other pets. Satos had to compete with other stray dogs and cats for food and shelter on the streets of Puerto Rico and may show aggression around your other pets. If you already have a pet, a sato may not be the ideal dog to adopt.

7. Consult a training professional. Satos have never seen a leash, collar, bowl of food or couch. Traditional training manuals and tactics that worked with other pets may not apply to these strays that have lived on the streets of Puerto Rico.

8. Attend a sato reunion. All over the country, people who adopt satos get together to share their success stories. Visit the Save a Sato site to find a reunion near you (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Satos traditionally take very well to crate training and seem to crave a den-like place of their own.
• Don't believe the old adage: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." A stray dog can adapt quickly to a new life indoors.
• Keep an eye on your sato at all times! As strays, they traveled each day with a pack searching for food and will wander if left unattended for even a moment.
• Be careful around children. At first, your sato may be wary of humans. Until you are certain how she will react around adults, do not expose her to children.
• Do not rush to take your sato to the dog park. He may find that environment overwhelming or threatening. Introduce him to other dogs slowly and while he's on a leash.
• Remove small objects like jewelry, buttons, paper clips and pennies from even the smallest of spaces. Satos will eat anything.

Resources

• Find a list of U.S. shelters where you can adopt a sato.