At ACT, we’ve always believed in rooting for the underdog — because every great journey starts with humble beginnings. Just like how we started small, with a determined college student working out of a tiny coat closet, we know that resilience is the key to amazing things. So, when our Vice President, Michael DeMarco, and his wife, Cortney, learned about a stray dog fighting for her life in a Puerto Rican cemetery, they knew they couldn’t just walk away. This is the incredible story of Frida, ACT’s new mascot.

The Heartbreaking Situation in Puerto Rico

When the DeMarco family first set foot on the sandy shores of Puerto Rico, they weren’t prepared for what they’d find. Everywhere they went—along the beaches, near bustling restaurants, and weaving through crowded streets—stray dogs wandered, searching for scraps and kindness.

With over 650,000 strays on the island and limited access to spay-and-neuter programs, the population continues to grow. Though rescue efforts exist, many remain underfunded and overwhelmed.

Unlike most vacationers, who might offer these dogs a moment of attention before moving on, the DeMarco family decided their next trip to Puerto Rico wouldn’t just be about vacation—it would be a chance to make a real difference for these dogs.

When they returned, their first stop after the airport wasn’t the beach—it was Walmart. There, they stocked up on paper bowls, dog food, and jugs of water, then hit the streets, offering a meal to every dog they came across in need.

What began as an independent effort soon led the DeMarcos to connect with Souls of Satos, a Puerto Rico-based rescue organization founded in 2017. Run by a passionate founder, Souls of Satos relies on volunteers and donations to provide medical care, find foster homes, and arrange flights for dogs to their adoptive families. The organization’s mission is fueled by the generosity of supporters like the DeMarcos and the founder, who often covers expenses out of her pocket to keep the rescue operations going. Since its inception, Souls of Satos has rescued over 3,000 stray dogs, giving them a chance at a better life.

Now, at the end of every vacation, the DeMarcos spend their final hours on the island coordinating the pickup of a Souls of Satos puppy to fly back to the U.S. —something they’ve done six times so far. “It’s always tempting to keep them,” Cortney admits, “but knowing they have families waiting makes every goodbye worth it.”

Frida’s Rescue: A Story That Will Melt Your Heart

Everything changed when Souls of Satos shared a post about Frida, a dog born in a cemetery in Puerto Rico. She was one of ten puppies cared for by the gravekeepers, who did their best to look after the strays. In April 2024, shortly after turning one year old, Frida gave birth to thirteen puppies—only ten of them survived.

Unlike North America, Puerto Rico follows traditional Spanish burial customs, where the deceased are laid to rest in above-ground tombs—concrete boxes carefully arranged in rows.

The gravekeepers chose two tombs positioned closely together and placed a tin sheet over the gap in between them, creating a makeshift roof to provide Frida and her puppies with shelter from the elements.

Frida and her puppies living between tombs

When they learned about Frida, and her dying puppies, Souls of Satos knew they had to step in. They found foster homes for the whole family.

“Despite never having been in a car, Frida hopped right in when it was time to be rescued. It was like she knew,” said Cortney.

A Journey to Find Her Forever Family

As is typical with rescue dogs, the puppies were adopted quickly—but Frida was still waiting for a family of her own. That’s when Cortney, scrolling through Instagram, came across a post about Frida. The DeMarcos, having recently lost their own dog—who had also given birth to puppies before her rescue—felt an immediate connection. “Mothers are often the ones left behind,” Cortney shared. “We just knew we had to give her a chance.” And so, Cortney drove 24 hours from New Jersey to Michigan to bring Frida home.

“She went from the cemetery to multiple foster homes, then onto a plane, a truck to Michigan, and finally a car ride home to New Jersey,” Cortney shared.

Life in the Garden State: A New Beginning

Now settled into her forever home, Frida has quickly adjusted to her new life. She’s learning new tricks, like ‘paw,’ and is working on ‘lay down.’ But some things from her past are still with her — like her deep love for stuffed animals. “I think she sees them as her puppies,” Mike said. “Wherever Frida goes, the toys go too. She’ll make multiple trips back and forth from the living room to the bedroom, bringing each one upstairs until every toy is with her before she can finally settle down on the bed.”

Even on walks, Frida’s instincts from her rough start in life remain strong. “She keeps her nose in the dirt,” Cortney explains. “We think that’s how she used to search for food in the cemetery.”

But now, Frida’s biggest challenge isn’t survival — it’s learning to share her space with her two cat siblings, whom she’s still figuring out how to not accidentally trample when she gets the zoomies.

To stay connected with Frida’s journey, Cortney is part of a group chat called Moms of Frida, where she shares updates about Frida’s new life with her previous foster moms. A family reunion may also happen in the near future since one of Frida’s puppies, Lupe, lives a state away in New York.

ACT’s Commitment to Souls of Satos

Part of Frida’s new life includes her role as our mascot at ACT. Our owner, a lifelong animal lover, chose Frida because she embodies the resilience that drives both our company and the incredible work of Souls of Satos. She also represents our commitment to supporting this amazing organization so that, through their ongoing efforts, many more stray dogs can find forever homes.

Since Souls of Satos is a small organization, 100% of the donations contribute directly to rescue efforts. To support this mission, ACT will sponsor the flight of a Souls of Satos rescue dog to its forever home in honor of every new client in 2025—and we’ll keep you updated on their journey.

Dogs have always been man’s best friend—now, they can be a businessman’s best friend too. Will your company help us make a difference? Click here to inquire about using ACT’s managed services and join us in rescuing more dogs.