Humane Society crowded with unwanted pets
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Human Society is overflowing with unwanted and abandoned dogs and the non-profit organisation is appealing for people to step forward and adopt a pet. News27 reports that there are currently 90 dogs at the shelter, and with few volunteers and limited space at the Humane Society, the animals are in desperate need of help. Shelter liaison, Twyla Escalante, said in some cases people leave the island thinking that they have left their dogs with new owners they think are responsible, but this turns out not to be the case. (Photo courtesy News27)
Category: Local News
Rollover Rover – It seems more than the economy and people get hurt by the rollover. Its a pity our "Masters" are either too ignorant or too willfully blind to the ill effects of this dreadful policy. I guess it is all how you view it though. Indeed, some would argue, with a sly smile, that we are getting our island back. I hope these sly people will be able to repaint their big new house and repair their expensive European cars in a few years time. They would be the first in history to pull this one off. Think about the similar social movements – Bahamas in the 60s, Jamaica in the 70s. Indeed, the ignorant only focus on short-term gains.
http://www.caymanhumanesociety.com/adopt.php?type=dog
Another thing too CIHS should have their own dedicated vet so they can do more spay/neuters and keep their costs down. Also a this vet could provide emergency care for their animals.
I know the local vets may think this will negatively affect their business but that is hindsight. By controlling the pet population we will create more responsible pet owners who will in turn take their pets regularly to the local vets. It should be an effort for people to get a dog or cat, they shouldn’t be able to just grab one off the street or import a puppy. I am sure the local vets here wouldmuch prefer dealing with the responsible pet owner than the kind who brings in their animal only as a last resort and maybe later abandons it at the vet.
We are a tiny island and CIHS could easily control the pet population if they could set up their own spay & neuter facility. Right now they are very limited as they have to pay local vets at a much higher cost. In my eyes this is wrong, why should local vets benefit from this ill of society? They also just can’t keep up with the demand for surgeries.
I had a dog and a cat that I got from the Humane Society. 2 very loving animals that I still have. I think the Agricultural Department should perhaps start imposing restrictions on the importation of additional pets, i.e. the accessory types that are coming in, and perhaps ask people to adopt or foster one of those from the humane society.
As someone pointed out up top, the dwindling population is what is contributing to all sorts of problems on the Island, not the least of which is finding a home for unwanted animals.
First it was the Wildlife group trying to find volunteers to feed birds who had lost their nesting sites, then it is Census people trying to find volunteers to do the census, then here comes Rotary trying to find volunteers to assist with the reading programme in the prison and the schools and now the Humane Society is trying to find people to even come and walk the dogs.
Most of this volunteer work was being done by expats. Now that they are gone as a result of roll over, job attrition or just moving off Island, there are a lot of programmes that are suffering as a result.
Can I say it one last time. We need each other on this little rock. We really do.
It should be "spay" or "have spayed" not "spade", buy yes, you are absolutely right.
Wouldn’t it be nice if some kind person (Dart?) would donate land so the Humane Society could expand into a roomier place.
Fewer abandoned animals would be nicer. Imagine a world where the Humane Society was unnecessary.
I believe the CIG has plenty of land right next to Agriculture.
And, the ;private sector, mostly ex-pat, would probably fund the project.
The existing poor facility could be used 100% for the Thrift Store and Book Loft. It is in a high trafic area but completely unsuitable for animals.
All of my family’s dogs have either come from the Humane Society or been rescued from my neighbourhood. They all have different personalities and some have had better pasts than others but after living in a caring home, being fed and walked regularly they are the most wonderful additions to our home. If we didn’t have 4 already we would adopt more. I would strongly encourage anyone who can and is willing to adopt a dog or cat from the Humane Society.
If you aren’t able to adopt then encourage others to spay and neuter their pets. Regardless of whether or not your contribution is proactive or reactive, this is an issue well worth your time and effort.
this is so sad! so so very sad. this is why people need to spade their pets.
It should be "spay" or "have spade", but yes, you are absolutely right.
This is so very sad. Whats tough is that if you’re renting you may not be allowed pets 🙁 how can we help in this case?
You move to a place that allows animals, that’s what I did when I adopted my two dogs from the CIHS. There are quite a number of landlors who are willing to accept animals with a secutiry deposit. Tessa Hydes Property Management was great in helping me find a pet-friendly rental and negotiating the deposit.
Excellent advice however; some of the landlords expect to be paid these ridiculous deposits and that can be so discouraging sometimes. I visited the Humane Society and had everything arranged to adopt a wonderful and loving cat, only to be told by my landlord that they required a $500.00 deposit. This is crazy!!! How much damage can a kitty do? Not that much, I’m sure.
The $500 deposit is just that – a deposit.
As a landlord who allows pets and who has pets of my own – you will be surprised how much damage one small cat can can do. Unless it has been declawed, it can claw at the furniture/rugs (they don’t always use their posts), it can throw up furballs on the rug, leave cat hair and smell all over the place.
If one is renting a place they have to put down a security deposit in case of damage to the property – this is the same thing, a deposit incase of damage or in case you as a tenant do not leave the place in the same state in which you started renting it.
Please don’t use the fact that some places ask you to pay a deposit as an excuse to adopt/foster from the humane society – you have options they don’t
That departing expats do not take their pets with them is disturbing. These are some of the reasons:
1) They do not realize that it is fairly easy to have your pet travel with you, or be shipped. Since Cayman is rabies-free, there is no quarantine time for US, UK, or most of Europe. If the Dept. of Agriculture were to prominantly publish the document requrements in CNS and print press, people would be better informed. In my own experience the Ag. Dept. processed the physical exam and paperwork on the spot.
2) Immigration gives the released employees a limited time to leave the island, so they might have only a couple of days or a couple of weeks to dispose of or ship their belongings. In that case the owner needs to entrust their pets to someone responsible to send them air-cargo. I have shipped other peoples pets, and once carried a friend`s parrot as hand luggage, all to happy results.
or
3) They are just feckless dweebs who acquired pets in Cayman with no real care or committment.
I think its equally disturbing the number of locals keeping numerous dogs tied in their premises or roaming the streets every day, many of which are not spayed and end up breeding yet more dogs to end up homeless or neglected.
STOP pointing the finger of blame at particular nationalities or "non-Caymanians" – the blame is equal regardless albeit for differing reasons.
I apologize for not clearly stating the reason for my response. It was addressing the comment from the Humane Society re: people leaving. I share your disgust at all acts of cruelty. Domestic dogs are highly visible, but there are also farm animals suffering that we don’t see.
I agree wholeheartedly that it’s disgusting that people don’t take their pets with them when they leave. This is something that needs to be considered when adopting an animal, it’s just not fair to keep one while it suits you and then give it back once you see the implications of taking your pet with you.
Just a small correction – whilst Cayman is indeed rabies free, to enter the UK an animal needs a "pet passport" which entails a series of rabies shots, 6 months after these shots it may enter the UK otherwise it will have to go into quarantine. This can be a problem if you have to leave the island at short notice. We adopted 2 dogs from the HS a while ago and have just moved them to London, it cost more to fly the dogs out than it did for our tickets!
Re: Rabies shots. Good point. Since Agriculture laws change with each country, and frequently, the onus is on the owner to keep au courant and comply.
Work permit holders should put pets on their list of things to do if/when they get sacked, and be prepared to bail, which includes whatever series of rabies, Parvo, etc. innoculations req’d.
This problem is just another symptom of the falling population of Grand Cayman, alongside the large numbers of cars for sale at the side of the road and the desperate state of the real estate market.
So what do they do? Build more condos, have immigration get busy throwing more people out of the island and raise the duties and fees on small business (the engines of growth) even further. DUH
yep..welcome to wonderland…
Adopt one of those little mongrels Cayman!
Female members of my family who happen to live alone have done so and I can tell you – I sleep a bit easier at night as a result.
At a minimum there is ZERO CHANCE of someone sneaking into their homes in the middle of the night!
Effective, cheap and friendly security in my opinion.
I sent an email three weeks ago offering to volunteer….heard nothing back….
I have sent 3 emails over 6 months asking what we can do as we love dogs and want to volunteer. No response to ANY of the 3 emails!!
I work with the shelter- please email me and i can assure you i will arrange volunteer work for you, with dogs or cats. i will contact you immediately. i am at nwventure@hotmail.com. we do appreciate you!
Then get off you lazy arse and go down there and ask. Just because someone doesn’t respond to an e-mail – did you ever stop to think that as they don’t have enough volunteers that they don’t have time to answer e-mails. The fact that someone hasn’t responded should be the reason you haven’t bothered to go down there
How very diplomatic of you.
Actually I work full time, damn hard at it too, for long hours. I have a wife, two children, a cat, a dog, and my own house to look after. I am also studying. I’m also recovering from an injury which requires daily exercise.
I RARELY have much free time to be effing lazy.
My "free" time might not mean anything to you, but it means a damn lot to me. One of the issues with volunteering is a lack of respect for other peoples time. More times than I care to mention I have agreed to help with something, show up, given my limited free time, to find other people don’t bother showing up, or show up 2 hours late.
I am more than happy to help out, but I want to know when, where and how in advance. Sorry I don’t have time to chase people down to find this out.
Hey My2Cents,
I agree with you! These organizations needs to be organized. Busy people don’t have time to go down there to only find out the people there have no clue what needs to be done and the shelter manager isn’t available etc.
Get yourselves organized and take 1/2hr. a day and resond to emails/phone calls etc. Professional people who volunteer like these organizations to be organized!
If you want to volunteer to walk the dogs, please stop by on Saturday or Sunday morning. You don’t have to make an appointment.
I work with the shelter- please email me and i can assure you i will arrange volunteer work for you, with dogs or cats. i will contact you immediately. i am at nwventure@hotmail.com
So very sad! For years I have adopted wonderful pets from the humane society and would encourage anyone who might be thinking to get a furry friend to visit the shelter. I have a wonderful Cayman mutt that I adopted years ago and she is the most loyal and wonderful pet anyone could ever ask for, and a great "guard dog" as well! I have also adopted cats, all wonderful and loving companions.
We brought home a stray over a year ago planning to find him a home. He is still with us. He is as smart, loyal and loving as any dog you could get from a breeder.