SPAY NEUTER PROGRAMME

Founded in 1988 by Frances Hayward the spay/neuter programme seeks to have as its long term goal, “every owned animal on GBI spayed/neutered unless a license has been issued to breed.”

The programme offers free spay/neuters to all those who cannot otherwise afford it by offering coupons, obtainable at the Humane Society Shelter on Cedar Street, which are then carried to the Veterinarian of choice along with the animal. In addition, arrangements can be made to have the animal picked up by the Humane Society if transportation is a problem.

Inasmuch as a female dog through her offspring can theoretically produce over one thousand puppies during her lifetime, (cats have a similar statistic) and inasmuch as so much of the tragic animal overpopulation is the result of animals that are owned but are allowed to wander, mating and producing in the bush, the importance of spay/neuter cannot be over emphasized. If every animal that was ‘owned’ were neutered, our tragic problem would be cut drastically.

The programme, originally underwritten by Society Chairman Frances Singer-Hayward, is now subsidized by a yearly grant from the Grand Bahama Port Authority but relies heavily on outside support to cover the burgeoning demand. It is URGED that those who can afford to pay to have their pets spay/neutered do so. Our ‘slots’ are limited and we cannot turn away  those who not only genuinely cannot afford it, but whose living situations would probably encourage the mating of animals in the bush. We beg the Grand Bahama public NOT to ‘take unfair advantage. ‘

SCHOOL OUTREACH

Realizing the importance of programming children from an early age to respect animals and care for them properly, the Humane Society seeks to take its message into the schools.

Regular school visits are planned with a member of the Humane Society staff bringing a suitable animal to the various schools, allowing the children to interact with it, along with advice about proper care and treatment.

It has been found that most children instinctively love animals, although many fear them and a ‘proper introduction’ is terribly important. Safety around animals is also stressed.

A chilling, documented correlation between childhood acts of animal cruelty and subsequent adult criminal behaviour underscores the tremendous importance of programmes such as this. 

ADOPTIONS

Every animal living at the Humane Society shelter is available for adoption into a suitable home, providing our Humane Society Adoption Requirements* are met.

A member of the Humane Society Staff will make an appointment to interview the family and inspect the premises of the prospective adoptee to make certain that these criteria are met. Every adopted animal will automatically be spayed/neutered before it is placed in its new home. In addition, we will provide the necessary vaccinations and inoculations as well as a booklet on animal care.

In addition, we try, as much as possible, to keep track of our adopted animals to make certain the situation is a happy and satisfactory one for both animal and humans and it is indeed a good ‘match.’

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama is gratified at the number of “Happy Endings” that we have been able to facilitate and exert much of our efforts towards that rewarding goal.

ANIMAL ABUSE HOTLINE

Animal abuse is, tragically, all too common on Grand Bahama Island. It is DESPARATELY IMPORTANT that all cases are immediately reported to the Humane Society and the police.  In addition to calling during our normal shelter hours, we maintain a twenty four hour ‘hotline’ – the telephone numbers are (242) 375 – 0778 as well as our Humane Society number (352 – 2477) which is forwarded to a member of our staff at all times.

Animal abuse covers a broad spectrum, ranging from acts of downright cruelty, to neglect. Thanks to the vigilance of the Grand Bahama public and the dedication and quick action of the staff at the Humane Society, the lives and well being of many animals has been salvaged. WE RELY ON YOU TO INFORM US OF ANY CASES OR SUSPECTED CASES OF ANIMAL ABUSE.

OPERATION PUPPY LIFT

Over one hundred potcake puppies who would have faced uncertain futures on Grand Bahama Island have found good and caring homes abroad thanks to our Operation Puppy Lift, founded and maintained by our Shelter Managers Tip Burroughs and Renee Slone.

The puppies have been placed in shelters in the South Florida area, as well as Eastern Long Island, New York where they have virtually all been adopted at a speedy rate.

It is with tremendous thanks to the members of the Freeport business community such as G.B. Express, and the (former) CAT who regularly ferry our puppies over to the mainland at no cost, that this wonderful programme can be maintained.

We are always looking for places to place our puppies, so anyone with knowledge of a shelter in the United States or Canada who would be interested in joining our Operation Puppy Lift Programme should please contact the shelter.

SISTER SHELTER

In January 2002 the Humane Society of Grand Bahama and the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF) f joined forces, becoming  “sister shelters.”  The primary purpose of which was the enhancement of each operation through the exchange of ideas, staff exchanges between the two, the sharing of information and collateral, as well as assistance whenever needed.

The relationship was truly called into play when, in September 2004 Grand Bahama was hit by two devastating hurricanes that almost destroyed our facility. It was through the magnificent efforts of many, spearheaded by ARF Executive Director, Sara Davisson that all of the dogs and cats in residence were airlifted to the ARF shelter in East Hampton New York where they were subsequently divvied up between various ‘no kill’ shelters in Eastern Long Island and all have subsequently been adopted.

This was both a massive and magnificent undertaking that was only possible through the incredible efforts of all of those involved.

PUBLIC RELATIONS/MERCHANDISING

In an effort to “get the message out,” HSGB in 2000 embarked on an intensive Public Relations effort starring ‘Amigo’ who had just been rescued and seemed the perfect ‘poster boy’ for such an operation.

The campaign embodies eye-catching posters, slogans, public service announcements, newspaper ads and articles, advertisements in tourist publications, as well as numerous public appearances. The effort has paid off.  Humane Society phones ‘ring off the hook. and there are not enough hours in the day to finish our work and satisfy requests.

We have the tremendous satisfaction of realizing that, with thanks to our Campaign, the eyes of many have been opened to the plight of animals and we hope that many have been saved as well as innocent lives prevented as a result of our efforts.