Carmen D. Aquino Garcia
Carmen is the heart and soul of El Portal, the sanctuary in Puerto Rico. She is a mother of three and dedicates every moment she gets to rescuing animals in the streets from abuse and neglect. Carmen was a speech therapist until she lost her job right before Hurricane Maria. She now runs the sanctuary in Las Piedras and dedicates her life to saving satos in Puerto Rico. Although she saves many animals daily, Carmen believes the animals save her.
Karitza De Jesus Mestre
Karitza is a single mother, entrepreneur and Vice President at Fundación AMAR. She runs her own bakery, Sweet Vegan, creating delicious baked goods throughout Puerto Rico. She runs a small safe haven at her home for animals as well as a shelter in Utuado with her organization. Karitza says she did not choose rescue, she says rescue chose her.
Wanda Villegas
Wanda was present on the first rescue with Aja. She was volunteering after the hurricane at a clinic trying to assist families in need. She helped the group find the most affected areas and ran the Portal for the first month it opened. Wanda is a realtor and inspector for FEMA. Without Wanda, we would have no sanctuary. She believes we can make a difference on the island.
Maria Rivera
Maria started feeding strays on the streets feeling sorry for their conditions. She then decided to take a rescue in and hasn’t stopped since then. She says the problem doesn’t stop with food and water. Despite constant hospitalizations and health issues, Maria refuses to give on the animals. She works every day rescuing animals and has several feeding routes in Aguada, Puerto Rico.
Sara Pagan Altreche
Sara is a pediatric surgeon that cares for her elderly mother and special needs sister. She works full time rescuing animals around the island. Though she loves being a pediatric surgeon, she says she wishes she would have gone to vet school instead! Sara resides in Manati, Puerto Rico but helps coordinate rescues throughout the island. She loves the way dogs say thank you without any words.
Aja Nikiya
Aja left for Puerto Rico to help after Hurricane Maria but she had no idea the level of animal suffering she would find. On her second day dropping off supplies, she stumbled upon a house with 14 animals in horrific conditions. Since that day she has dedicated herself to saving as many animals on the island and raising awareness globally about this crisis.