(PRESS RELEASE) PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh pet industry leaders recently traveled to Puerto Rico with animal rescue nonprofit Save A Friend PR to raise awareness about the island’s stray animal crisis, encourage adoptions, and support long-term pet wellness. The island is currently home to an estimated 650,000 stray dogs and 1 million stray cats.
Among the Pittsburgh participants were Toni Shelaske, host of the Toni Unleashed podcast and pet retailer, and Emily Taylor, Chief Communications Officer at pet food company Raw Dynamic and board member of Save a Friend PR.
“The trip was overwhelming,” said Shelaske. “It was unbelievable to see dogs and cats running everywhere. Our goal is to make more people aware of the help that is needed in Puerto Rico.”
Trip Highlights
Bodi, the Beach Dog:
Back in April, a family staying at a Puerto Rican resort fell in love with a stray beach dog they named Bodi but couldn’t get ahold of him. The Pittsburgh team spotted him, safely picked him up, and arranged for his transport. Bodi is now thriving with that same family in Vermont.
Three-Week-Old Puppy Rescue:
After a litter of puppies were found abandoned in an empty lot, they were brought to the animal rescue where it was discovered that they are suffering from Parvo and mange. Once recovered, they’ll be transported to Pittsburgh for adoption or foster placement.
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Wellness Support Initiative:
The Pittsburgh team is supporting adoptive families long-term with nutrition and wellness tools. Shelaske and Taylor delivered Raw Dynamic freeze-dried food, InClover multivitamins, and other supplements.
“Resources like these are often scarce on the island,” said Taylor. “We’re encouraging other pet companies to step up and help.”
About Save a Friend PR
Save a Friend PR is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington State. We rescue stray dogs (Satos) and some cats (Gatos) in Puerto Rico, providing medical care, socialization, and safe transport—most often to new homes in the mainland U.S. Our work intensified after Hurricane Maria, and since then, we’ve helped hundreds of animals find loving families. We collaborate with other rescue groups and support spay/neuter initiatives like the Spay-a-thon. Learn more at saveafriendpr.rescuegroups.org.
