The following is an article about the Grand Bahama Spay/Neuter Campaigns which are getting receiving global attention.

The following article is posted to the World Society for the Protection of Animals:

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama (HSGB), in partnership with The Kohn Foundation (TKF), recently completed another successful spay/neuter clinic in Pinders Point, Grand Bahama. 

The clinic was held in the parish hall of a local church and provided free spay/neuter services to pet owners on the island. For five days, fifteen U.S. vets and technicians, along with HSGB staff and volunteers, worked tirelessly to sterilize 277 dogs and cats. The clinic also provided educational information to pet owners on how to better care for their animals.

The majority of stray animals on Grand Bahama are owned but allowed to roam freely. These animals then breed, resulting in unwanted puppies and kittens. The Humane Society of Grand Bahama is the only organization on the island working to end the suffering caused by overpopulation. HSGB collects over 100 dogs each month and only 5-10% are adopted locally.

Over the past four years, HSGB has worked with US shelters to find caring homes for puppies abroad. Through their foreign adoption program, Operation Puppy Lift, HSGB has successfully increased the number of dogs saved to 30%. According to Tip Burrows, Managing Director of HSGB, “Operation Puppy Lift has helped us save more lives on the island, but it is not a solution to the overpopulation problem. We believe sterilization is the fastest, most effective way to achieve a lasting difference, and to end the suffering of so many unwanted puppies and kittens.”

Since January 2007, HSGB has held four major spay/neuter clinics on the island. These clinics were funded by The Kohn Foundation , The Pegasus Foundation , Amigo’s Fund , and several generous private donors. The clinics were overseen by chief veterinarian Dr. Robin Brennen of New York City. Dr. Brennen has organized or participated in spay/neuter programs in the South Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean. She is also Executive Director of PETS without VETS - a non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterinary support to international communities in need.

Thanks to Dr. Brennen and her team of dedicated veterinarians and technicians, over 1000 dogs and cats have been sterilized at the clinics. The animals were also vaccinated, dewormed, treated for fleas and ticks, and in some cases treated for wounds, venereal tumors, and various other minor ailments. 

In addition to these week-long spay/neuter clinics, the HSGB also has an ongoing voucher program where local veterinarians perform spay/neuter surgeries at no cost to the owners. This program has resulted in upwards of 400 animals being sterilized per year.

It is the hope of HSGB and the supporting organizations that these sterilization initiatives will reduce pet over-population on Grand Bahama, as well as achieve a healthier pet population and educate pet owners on responsible pet ownership.

© Photos credited to Bill Grimmer