Prisoners come through for East End dogs
(CNS): A group of local volunteers have coordinated a project in East End to provide local dogs with their own kennels. The “home to call my own” project is an initiative of CARE – Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts and helped by Ogier’s Animal Welfare Fund as well as the inmates from HMP Northward. Volunteers said the dogs in East End were targeted by CARE over the past few months which included a spay and neuter programme. They also recognised th need to protect some of the younger dogs from the elements and enlisted the skills of Northward’s craftsmen.
Lesley Agostinelli of CARE who delivers meals on wheels in East End said as she grew to know the people in the district she was able to begin tackling some of the animal issues there. “This has given me a great opportunity to get to know the people of East End and also discuss the issues of pet over population and how we can solve the problem by spaying and neutering,” said Agostinelli. “The residents have been very receptive as the main issues for not previously spaying and neutering their pets was due to lack of transportation to the veterinary clinic and the cost of the surgery.”
In the past few months, with the help of local vets CARE has successfully supported the spaying and neutering of more than 15 East End dogs.
Having discovered that some of the puppies had no shelter in their yards Tracey Goldie, a member of Ogier’s Animal Welfare Fund and CARE came up with “The Home to call my Own” Project. Then with the help of Ransdale Rankine and his team at the woodwork shop at HMP Northward four custom built kennels were constructed for the East End dogs. Another six dog houses are now on order to give more of the districts pets a home.
With the help of Androgroup’s pick up truck and two members of staff David Goffe and Roger Hines the CARE Volunteers got the dog houses in place, on Saturday 3 July just in time to offer a respite from theweekend’s downpour. “It was a fantastic morning and despite the hard work involved, it was not only extremely rewarding, it was a lot of fun,” said Alana Julie one of the care volunteers.
The project is not being confined to East End and Care volunteers said that with the continued help of Ogier’s Animal Welfare Fund and Rankine’s woodworking skills more kennels would be donated to dogs across Grand Cayman.
Category: Local News
Congratulations to all. What a great idea and how wonderful of the volunteers. Good job and thank you.