FePA — Animal Protection Federation of Puerto Rico

FePA. Federation for Animal Protection of Puerto Rico

FePA homepage mockup v6. English version. Brand-aligned, sibling to Spanish-canonical mockup. Prepared by Firm Forward.

Cat peeking through a crack in a wall in Puerto Rico

Help us fight animal cruelty!

Founded in 1983
43 years of continuous mission
501(c)(3) IRS
Federal · Tax-deductible
1101.01 P.R.
Puerto Rico · Tax-deductible
Law 154-2008
Puerto Rico protection framework
FePA volunteer hugging a rescued dog
Our Vision
An island where humans honor and respect animals in peaceful coexistence.
Our Mission

To end animal abuse in Puerto Rico.

Our mission is to end animal abuse through education, support for community-impact programs, and legal reform efforts.

01
Humane education
02
Community impact
03
Systemic change
Our Impact

Measurable results.

What we achieved in one year with our member organizations and allies.

≈1,000
Teachers trained
During the first year of the six-year agreement with the Department of Education, FePA trained nearly 1,000 teachers in humane education.
≈117K
Students reached
Trained teachers apply what they learn in the classroom, reaching approximately 117,000 students and showing the program’s multiplier effect.
1,500
Spay/neuter and TNR
With financial support from FePA, 1,500 free spay/neuter and TNR (trap, neuter, return) procedures were performed in collaboration with member organizations.
Humane Education

Changing the island, generation after generation.

We work with the education system to foster a culture of empathy, compassion and respect for animals in Puerto Rico.

Community impact

Reaching the community

Regional workshops
We brought the “Effective Animal Advocacy” workshop to Hacienda El Jibarito in San Sebastián, where more than 20 representatives from the western region trained to strengthen animal advocacy in their communities.
Convention
We held our second Convention at the Wyndham Grand Río Mar with more than 100 representatives, focused on Law 154-2008, compassion fatigue, and model jurisdictions.
Students who protect
With support from Rooms to Go, we built a permanent space to shelter the animals rescued by students at Segunda Unidad Barrio Pasto Montessori in Aibonito.
Community vaccinations
FePA collaborates with community-impact programs such as vaccination drives, guiding the public on the protection requirements for their companion animals.
Operativo comunitario en Vieques
Our member organizations

Vieques, a model for impact.

With a contribution from FePA, this member organization in Vieques delivered measurable results in a single year. It’s the model we’re scaling with other organizations in the network.

1,400
free spay/neuter procedures
89
animals rescued and adopted
209
community animals served
50
families assisted with their pets
Meet our member organization network
Leadership

Board of Directors.

The institutional structure sustaining 43 years of continuous work.

YÁ
President · Executive Director
Yolanda Álvarez, Esq.
Attorney and communicator. As president of FePA, she leads legislative reform, humane education, and coordination with the network of member organizations across Puerto Rico.
BS
Bryan Shames
Vice President I
SS
Shakira Santiago, Esq.
Vice President II
MC
Meliana Canino
Secretary
AC
Anabelle Colón
Treasurer
Board Members
MC
María E. Cestero
TG
Troadio González, Esq.
MA
María Celeste Arrarás
SC
Sergio Calzada, Esq.
Systemic Change

The legal voice for animals.

FePA is advancing a bill that would create the Animal Protection and Welfare Division. The bill seeks to close the institutional gaps that limit enforcement of Law 154-2008 and to establish an integrated, structured strategy for every effort, including a significant reduction in abandoned and stray animals.

As a recognized source of information on animal-related issues in Puerto Rico, FePA publicly demands integrated, coherent, and consistent systemic change.

Strategic Alliances

We don’t work alone.

FePA is part of coalitions that recognize the link between animal welfare, environmental health, and food sustainability.

Local Coalition

One mission, multiple disciplines.

We work alongside psychology and social-work professionals, environmental conservation organizations, and educational programs for youth and communities to make visible the link between animal welfare, environmental conservation, and food sustainability.

Association of Psychologists
Association of Social Workers
Para la Naturaleza
Club 4H
International Network

Red LAPA.

FePA is one of the founding organizations of Red LAPA, the Latin American Network for Animal Protection, an alliance of 52 organizations across Latin America working for animal welfare and protection.

52 organizations
Latin America
Upcoming Events

Join the cause.

Jan
25
Humane education
Humane Education Workshop
January 25, 2027
Mayagüez, Ponce, and Caguas educational regions
January 27, 2027
Bayamón, San Juan, Humacao, and Arecibo regions
January 29, 2027
Rescuers, organizations and private-school teachers
Sign up
Next
—
Convention
FePA Convention
We will send you the details as soon as they are available.
I’m interested
We couldn’t do it without your
continued support.
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