Recently, representatives from Greater Good Charities traveled to Puerto Rico to support and witness Round 3 of Spayathon for Puerto Rico, a no-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter and vaccination campaign led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and spearheaded by longtime animal welfare leader Tara Loller.
Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rossello with Tara Loller of HSUS in Cidra, Puerto Rico
Since its launch, the Spayathon initiative has grown into a coalition of 26 partner organizations—including Greater Good Charities—with the shared mission of increasing access to essential veterinary care. Support from Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rosselló and First Lady Beatriz Isabel Rosselló helped bring even greater visibility and commitment to the campaign. Both leaders expressed a deep belief in the human-animal bond and the power of pet care to uplift entire communities.
First Lady Beatriz Isabel Rossello in Cidra, Puerto Rico
Eight clinics operated simultaneously across the island for seven consecutive surgical days. These clinics were staffed by dedicated volunteer veterinary teams, including organizations like ViDAS, Emancipet, and the Puerto Rico Dog Fund. In Bayamón, one of the busiest sites, as many as 600 pets received surgery and vaccinations each day. In more remote Cidra, teams worked with the same efficiency and care, demonstrating the power of well-planned, community-rooted collaboration.
Despite long travel times and wait periods, families showed up in large numbers, many waiting patiently for hours to receive care for their pets. Importantly, this was not a drop-off model. Pet owners stayed through the process, helping with their pets’ recovery post-surgery. There were no cages; pets woke up from anesthesia in the arms of their loved ones.
Team setting up in Bayamón
Throughout the clinics, the atmosphere was not one of stress or chaos, but of cooperation, laughter, and deep gratitude. According to the teams on the ground, the sense of dignity and care was unmistakable.
Greater Good Charities’ CEO, Liz Baker, and CMO, Noah Horton, visited the clinics, meeting with partners, families, and pets—like Diamond, a dog recovering in Cidra—and seeing firsthand the results of this collaborative effort.
Liz Baker, CEO of Greater Good Charities, and Noah Horton, CMO of Greater Good Charities, meet Diamond in Cidra, Puerto Rico
Thanks to donations from The Animal Rescue Site, Chewy.com, and Royal Canin, Greater Good Charities also distributed essential pet food and supplies to participating families. Pharmaceutical partner Boehringer Ingelheim provided critical medications for the veterinary teams.
The impact of this coordinated effort was clear. In just one week, over 8,500 animals were spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. Planning for Round 4 of Spayathon was already underway, with a goal of reaching 30,000 pets throughout 2019—a goal organizers were confident would be achieved.
The team left Puerto Rico, moved by the strength, kindness, and resolve of the people they met. Greater Good Charities remains committed to supporting these ongoing efforts and standing alongside the communities who continue to rebuild.
Liz with Elisabeth and her dog, Lucio in Bayamon, PR
Spayathon for Puerto Rico is made possible by the dedication and collaboration of dozens of coalition partners, including: the HSUS, the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico, the Office of the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Junta Examinadora de Médicos Veterinarios de Puerto Rico, Colegio de Médicos Veterinarios de Puerto Rico, Maddie’s Fund, Greater Good Charities, Banfield Foundation, PetSmart Charities, Petco Foundation, Emancipet, ViDAS, Veterinarians for Puerto Rico, the Sato Project, and many more.
Special thanks go to Boehringer Ingelheim, LupinePet, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Pet King Brands, Royal Canin, Chewy.com, Project Vets, and Pet Food Centers of Evansville, Indiana, for providing vital supplies.
To follow the ongoing work and future Spayathon events, visit #Spayathon4PR on social media.
