BWA and Purina extend the lives of four dogs - BWA and Purina have been looking at ways to assist the Humane Society of Grand Bahama, by paying $30 a month each for four dogs room and board at the shelter, these dogs will be taken off the euthanasia list for a year. Pictured with the sponsored dogs are (left to right) BWA staff Warren Brown and shelter dog 'Loopy','Michael Storr with 'Spottie,' Godfrey Burrows and 'Cowgirl,' Ruth Smith, HSGB Animal Care Supervisor, Denado Grant with 'Trooper' and Wayne Russell with his own sponsored dog 'Champion'. (photo courtesy of Barefoot Marketing)

Freeport , Grand Bahama - Early January a very impassioned Grand Bahama Humane Society General Manager, Tip Burrows, emailed to her many supporters with a desperate plea for assistance.

“As most of you know our shelter is overflowing…” the email read and went on to tell the story of a good Samaritan who brought a malnourished puppy to the shelter. Her email explained how this new puppy would be taking the place of one of the twenty (20) beautiful and healthy teenage pups that were on the list to be euthanized and how her staff was so very devastated to have to keep losing animals.

Luckily, Mrs. Burrows was able to convince the Samaritan to take the puppy in, but this glimmer of hope did not help the Humane Society of Grand Bahama to deal with and save the teenage pups, which the society needed to euthanize to make space.“We are working so hard on our spay/neuter project, and firmly believe it is the answer to pet overpopulation on Grand Bahama“ Burrows wrote. “We had been making great progress until this last year when thanks mostly to the economy, we have taken some big steps backward. Our foreign rescue project also took a big hit, thanks again to the economy which has also affected our rescue friends abroad.”

Burrows’ email then became brutally honest and asked for more money, more volunteers, and for more good people to consider opening up their heart and home to adeserving animal. She then attached pictures of the puppies that were due to be put down that day in hopes it would spur locals to adopting any of our dogs and grant them a reprieve. She summarized by requesting for miracles!

Russell helps HSGB too - Not only has Wayne Russell worked with his company to help sponsor dogs from the Humane Society but he and his wife, Miranda, have personally sponsored a lovely dog too by paying $30 a month for his room and board at the shelter. Pictured is Wayne getting to know 'Champion' a brown and white pot-cake who he is helping support until he is adopted from the Humane Society of Grand Bahama. For more information on adoption log on to www.hs-gb.org. (photo courtesy of Barefoot Marketing)

Luckily this was quick to come in a phone call from concerned BWA Manager, Wayne Russell, who was very touched by Burrows plea and decided to assist. Though not able to take another dog into his home (he and his wife have 3 dogs) he went back to his office and spoke to his leading pet food distributor PURINA and his company and suggested they sponsor four dogs.

“We have been looking at ways to help the Humane Society, we have been very cognizant of their needs for awhile now,” noted Russell. “In speaking with Tip she said each dog costs $30 per month, so we spoke to Purina and they agreed to co-op the sponsorship with us.”

BWA and Purina will not actually take the dogs to the BWA location but will pay for them to be cared for with their room and board at the shelter, relieving the GBHS of $1,440 of expenses in 2010. Plus,if any of the dogs are adopted they will choose another dog to save. “This is such a great option for those who want to help but can’t take in another dog or can’t have them in their apartment or business. We hope others will think to “adopt” dogs or cats in the shelter and give them more time to find a loving and nurturing residence.”

Burrows is truly thankful as well and hopes that this will start a new trend for the shelter, “as I said in my email we are trying our best to spay/neuter and to encourage locals to adopt dogs or cats from our shelter, but it’s a hard battle. We lose out to negligence, economy and desire for pure breeds. It is my hope that BWA and Purina’s donation to the shelter will not only inspire others but help others to see that we have to control our pet population.”