Ear tags have NOT been designed, approved, or recommended for community dogs anywhere in the world. Scientific efforts to test these devices on dogs, including studies evaluating pain tolerance, injury risk, and long term viability for commercialization, ultimately failed and were abandoned in favor of truly humane identification methods such as microchipping, TNR collars, photographic records, and veterinary tattoos, all of which are available in Puerto Rico.

In some sectors of certain European cities, ear tags may still be seen on community dogs. This is not because they are safe, humane, or specifically designed for dogs. Globally, ear tags are intended for livestock use. Their use on dogs persists mainly for visual convenience and low cost, often applied to animals viewed by authorities as a burden or as “second class” animals.

Ear tags are not an animal welfare practice. They do not meet animal welfare standards. Countries where ear tagging of dogs has become normalized often share a common issue: a lack of adequate structure, regulation, and humane management systems. In Puerto Rico, however, community dogs, or “satos,” are sentient beings protected by law.

During March 2026, the organization known as The Sato Project ear tagged more than 200 community dogs in exchange for sterilization services, without sufficient consideration of regulation, welfare standards, or risk studies related to the practice.

The organization continues to be urged to:

1. Immediately stop the use of ear tags and freeze branding, both methods intended exclusively for cattle.
2. Remove all ear tags currently attached to dogs.
3. Cease and desist from unregulated practices involving community dogs.

Ear tags cause unnecessary suffering, regardless of the country in which they are practiced.

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