Defensores de Animales, or D.D.A. grew out of a need to defend the rights of animals in the town of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

Yasmin Mercado, a respected animal advocate with years of experience and a commitment to saving the lives of animals and educating the community, undertook the running of Defensores de Animales, after it was founded by Lilly Colberg in 2004. We launched many initiatives to rescue abused and stray animals and place them in caring homes.

In 2005, we incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in Puerto Rico (Federal non-profit status will be forthcoming.)

Since then, many animals have found homes, many have been taken from abusive households, and many schools and community centers have received humane education. The struggle is far from over, and the D.D.A. is diligently working towards an animal friendly Cabo Rojo and Puerto Rico.