Celebrating 10 Years of The Sato Project

FREEDOM FLIGHTS
“Wings of Rescue treasures our relationship with The Sato Project – because this phenomenal organization
represents everything that is right in animal rescue. They are the most cohesive and most ethical organization of
all the organizations we work with across North America. The Sato Project provides outstanding care for the pets
they rescue – pets that would have no chance in Puerto Rico who find loving homes on the mainland. All their pets
are fully vaccinated, altered, examined and certified as disease free by Board-certified veterinarians, and they
provide assistance with shelters and other rescues throughout the island. The Sato Project is the only organization
providing free spay/neuter services to the general public – which is the only way Puerto Rico will ever solve its pet
over-population problem. We adore The Sato Project team and will always be there to assist 24/7.”
— Ric Browde, CEO of Wings of Rescue
MISSION POSSIBLE 1 - 2012
30 DOGS
In the beginning, The Sato Project began flying one dog at a
time on American Airlines’ direct flight from San Juan to JFK
in NYC. Gradually, that grew to a few dogs at a time, and then
five, and then 10. On September 19th, 2012, we flew 30 dogs
at one time across two flights - the largest group we had ever
flown together at the time. We decided to give this group of
Freedom Flights a special name: “Mission Possible.” This title
became the beginning of naming all our largest, or particularly
triumphant, Freedom Flights to come. As of 2021, we have
completed up to Mission Possible 14.
MISSION POSSIBLE 11 - 2020
283 DOGS & CATS
When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020, and the entire
world shut down, so did our Freedom Flight operations. Due
to live-animal cargo restrictions that went into place on
commercial airlines, all of our dogs became trapped in Puerto
Rico. Unable to fly dogs off the island, meant that all of our
space in Puerto Rico remained full and we were unable to
rescue any additional dogs from the streets who needed us.
Many of the dogs currently in our care had also already been
matched to adoptive families on the mainland. This meant that
their families, too, were left at a standstill, with no idea when
they could welcome their new family member home. Over
July 4th weekend, 2020, thanks to Wings of Rescue and all
of our donors who rallied behind us, we were finally able to
take matters into our own hands. Spread across two airplanes,
283 dogs and cats flew from Puerto Rico to new lives on the
mainland. All 100 of the dogs who were a part of our direct
rescue program went directly into the open arms of their new
adopters at the airport. Some of our adopters had been waiting
for upwards of six months for their new sato family members
to arrive. Their first moments together were incredibly special
to witness for all of us. In a time when so many families were
needing to stay apart, we were bringing new families together,
and giving our satos new lives filled with love.
Photo by Sophie Gamand
As of 2021, our team has completed
up to Mission Possible 14; however,
Mission Possible 11 remains our
largest transport to date.
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